After an incredible 46 years with the RARA Towing Group, 17-year Ramp Chief veteran Jimmy Cassidy is retiring from the National Championship Air Races.
Cassidy’s exceptional leadership as Ramp Chief included:
The management of ramp pit parking
Race plane towing requirements associated with race staging and returning aircraft to their pit area
Recovery of disabled aircraft
Race plane refueling
Jim has always been a complete team player, committed to ensuring that his team safely accomplished its responsibilities. A year-round contributor to RARA’s complex requirements, he was always available to assist with the planning needs essential to successful execution of the yearly Pylon Racing Seminar and the National Championship Air Races.
Cassidy’s friendly personality and reputation for quick and knowledgeable action have earned him much respect from the racers over the years, with many giving frequent comments and kudos for his right-now response in almost any situation.
Jimmy shared that his time will be spent traveling and enjoying his retirement, and although he’ll miss the work and intensity of the National Championship Air Races, he says he’ll still be around to offer occasional advice and cheer on his team as they carry the torch onward.
He will be greatly missed, but we are thankful for his years of service and for building a team that can carry the torch into the future.
It’s with great pride and sadness that we announce that Mr. John Melarkey, Chief Pylon Judge for the Reno Air Racing Association, has retired following a remarkable tenure of service to RARA.
A long-standing pillar of the Air Racing community here in Reno, John has been a volunteer in the Pylon Judge group for 56 years.
John spent the last 22 years as the Chief Pylon Judge and through this role he brought leadership, expertise, and encouragement that very few people could match. He challenged the team to take on new roles within the races such as adding additional flight operations safety standards and lighting several key areas of the course. He also oversaw the Pylon Patch Design Contest, which saw the Pylon Judges competing for next year’s patch design. Through all his efforts, John brought this group of people closer together.
Vice Chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association Board, Terry Matter gave voice to that sentiment when he shared the following. “Since 1999 I have admired his management of this large group of volunteers that must be strategically placed around the race courses used by six unique classes of aircraft. He and his team of pylon judges professionally manage all air racing events ensuring safe racing and complete rule compliance. John is highly regarded and trusted by all race class presidents, and they accept his racing judgements.”
James Greathouse, Mr. Melarkey’s right-hand man and successor to the role, added, “Under John’s tenure as the Chief Pylon Judge, the group has taken on additional responsibilities which have included adding additional flight operations safety standards, such as lighting in several key locations on the course that can be seen by the pilots, additional security check points to ensure only authorized personnel are on the field, and numerous new safety protocols that ensure the safety of our volunteer staff.”
Fittingly in 2016, John was recognized as RARA’s annual Person of the Year for all his hard work and dedication. This was just a small way to show him how truly thankful we are for everything he has done for RARA.
We will greatly miss seeing John lead the Pylon Judging Team at the races this year, but know he has built a great team that will carry on his legacy.
Thank you John for all you have done over the last 56 years. You will always be a member of the RARA Family.
We’re looking for a new home for the National Championship Air Races and want ideas from our air race family and beyond to help make it possible. While we’re hoping for a lot, we absolutely need the following in terms of airport, venue and regional impact:
Suitable primary and secondary runway lengths of 7000’ or more
Land area with open, unobstructed space to allow for all 7 current race classes (roughly 4,800 acres)
Available hangar space – minimum 50,000 sq ft (can be multiple facilities) or, office/operations/briefing space, suitable parking areas/capacity, and RV/Camping available space, propane and waste dump services.
Proximity to adequate population center with hotel capacity, airline access and rental car availability.
If you need more information or want to submit a proposal, please click the button below.
Have additional ideas, thoughts or notions of things we should include or look for in our next home? Leave us a note at ideas@airrace.org.
RENO, NEV. – Earlier this month, Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) proudly announced the 2023 recipients of the second annual Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) program.
“’Racing for the Future’ is more than just a saying – it’s a mindset our association has in order to facilitate the future of aviation in our local youth,” said Fred Telling, Reno Air Racing Association CEO. “Through these scholarships, we can continue to foster a love for aviation while helping to ‘STEM’ the pilot shortage. We’re thankful for the Ray Foundation and the gifts from various donors for helping us make this scholarship program possible for a second year.”
These 10 recipients will be awarded up to $10,000 toward their private pilot license. In order to be considered for a scholarship, these students must be between 16-20 years old, maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and be a resident of Reno or its surrounding areas.
The 2023 Reno Air Racing Association Flight Training Scholarship recipients are:
“Getting to know our award winners throughout this year’s application process has been an absolute joy,” said Greg Gibson, Reno Air Racing Association scholarship coordinator. “They are smart, motivated and inspiring. We know the future of STEM and aerospace is better because they will be part of the next generation of pilots.”
This scholarship program began last year and has enabled several recipients to complete the necessary training and successfully obtain their private pilots license. While the search for a new venue is underway, the scholarship program is not going anywhere. RARA plans to continue the scholarship program to help enable and encourage the next generation of aviators to soar.
For those interested in donating or learning more about RARA’s scholarship efforts:
Event named #2 in 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Air Show
(Photo: Curtis Noble)
Reno, Nev. – The National Championship Air Races (NCAR), which is held annually by the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), has been named second in the top 10 ‘Best Air Shows’ in North America and first in the United States, per USA TODAY. The winners, including NCAR, were chosen by a panel of relevant experts and then confirmed by the public through a voting process. The wildly popular and well-known event will hold its final race at the Reno-Stead Airport from Sept. 13-17, 2023 and tickets can be purchased online at www.airrace.org.
“We are honored to be named in the top 10 best air show events by USA TODAY and to be alongside so many prominent and well-known events,” said Fred Telling, chairman and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “For decades, the National Championship Air Races has untied fans and spectators through displays of aerial skill and impressive feats of racing. This recognition further solidifies that our dedication to provide a world-class event has continued to impress fans far and wide.”
The 10 recipients represent the best air show events in North America and the National Championship Air Races are the highest ranking show in the United States. Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts, including editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com in addition to other media outlets before being brought to the public for voting. In partnership with USA TODAY, 10Best.com provides users with original content for top attractions and destinations in the U.S. and around the world. In the ‘Best Air Show’ category, winners included private and military air shows, both recent and historic in nature and covered every corner of the nation. The National Championship Air Races ranked second in the 2023 round-up following a four week voting period by the public.
The final National Championship Air Races is set to return with more than 150 planes and pilots as well as several ‘hands-on’ displays and experiences including the GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone, heritage displays, military demonstrations and static displays and more. The event will also mark the third year of competition for the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag which has become a phenomenon both in the skies and on social media. To learn more about the event’s final year or purchase tickets, visit https://airrace.org.
