by admin | Aug 28, 2014 | Air Race News
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Lt. Col. Kevin Sutterfield, an Air Force Reserve F-22 pilot, will be delivering an F-22 to the 51st Annual Reno National Championship Air Races and then making his debut in a 1942 AT-6 Texan during the competition Sept. 10-14.
“It’s a real privilege to fly these amazing aircraft and to be part of this legendary aviation event,” said Sutterfield. “For a kid that grew up looking through the airport fence, this is a dream come true.”
Sutterfield learned to fly before he had a driver’s license- soloing on his 16th birthday near his home in Tampa, Fla. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1997, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt and attended pilot training. While at pilot training, Sutterfield swept the awards, winning the Distinguished Graduate (1# Order of Merit), Outstanding Flying Award, and the AETC Commander’s trophy. Sutterfield was then hand-picked to fly the Air Forces’ top air-superiority fighter, the F-15C, for 10 years throughout the Middle East and Asia. In 2004, Sutterfield attended the prestigious Fighter Weapons School and in 2007, he was selected to fly the F-22 Raptor.
Earlier this month it was announced that Sutterfield would take command of the 302nd Fighter Squadron, one of the USAF’s ten front-line combat F-22 squadrons. The most experienced of all the F-22 squadrons, the 302nd Fighter Squadron has a proud heritage as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen squadrons from World War II.
As the commander, Sutterfield will be responsible for preparing and leading Airmen into combat operations world-wide in partnership with the 90th and 525th fighter squadrons, also stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Media interested in interviewing Sutterfield will have the opportunity when he lands at Reno Stead Field Sept. 9 at approximately 3:30 p.m. For more information or to set up an interview contact Maj. Ashley Conner, 477th Fighter Group Chief, Public Affairs, at [email protected] or by cell phone 808-277-3713.
by admin | Aug 26, 2014 | Air Race News
August 26, 2014 (Reno, NV)- Reno Mayor Bob Cashell has taken it upon himself to organize the largest ALS Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser the city has seen. On Thursday, August 28 from 11am-3pm, the community is invited to dunk leaders of local event and community organizations and charities in the Ultimate Ice Bucket Challenge Dunk Tank at Pinocchio’s Bar & Grill on 5995 S. Virginia St. with all proceeds benefitting ALS of Nevada.
“The Ice Bucket Challenge has brought an overwhelming amount of exposure to this debilitating disease,” said Steve Duque, Executive Director of the Reno Rodeo Association. “As leaders in the community, we wanted to find a fun way to show our support of the cause and most importantly continue to momentum to raise funds for ALS of Nevada.”
The community and charity leaders participating in the Ultimate Ice Bucket Challenge include:
Andrew Clinger – Manager, City of Reno
Pete Copeland – Executive Director, Great Reno Balloon Race
Teresa Di Loreto – Executive Director, Nevada Military Support Alliance Steve Duque – Executive Director, Reno Rodeo Association
Tony Marini – Executive Director, Hot August Nights
Mike Wurm – Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Jennifer Mannix – Marketing Director, Artown
JP/Barbara Pinocchio – Founders, Mom’s on The Run
Chris Hoff – Executive Director, Barracuda Championship
Mary Beth Sewald – National Championship Air Races
CONTACT
Dan Morgan President/CEO Innerwest Advertising & Public Relations 775-530-6500
Participants will be perched on top of a dunk tank and anyone who wishes to donate will have the opportunity for an attempt. The cost will be $10 per attempt, 3 attempts for $20 and 5 attempts (with a guaranteed dunk) for $100. Mayor Bob Cashell hopes to raise at least $15,000 for ALS of Nevada through the event.
“We are expecting a great turnout,” said Tony Marini, Executive Director of Hot August Nights. “Come on down to Pinocchio’s, have a great lunch, and support a great cause.”
For more information on the event, please contact Dan Morgan at 775-530-6500.
by admin | Aug 20, 2014 | Air Race News
Reno, Nev. – With help from partner Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, the STIHL National Championship Air Races will be home to the first-ever Small UAS Challenge during this September’s 51st event. The challenge, which is free to enter and takes place Sept. 12 – 14, will test a number of skills and demonstrate a variety of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The Small UAS Challenge is just the latest in a number of new and returning entertainment that is planned for this year’s Reno Air Races, which take place Sept. 10 – 14, joining previously announced acts like Melissa Pemberton, one of the world’s top female aerobatic pilots, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, the L-39 Patriot Jet Team, the return of the ‘Car Drop,’ and more.
“To have a worldwide leader in aeronautics like Embry-Riddle hold such a unique and fun event like the Small UAS Challenge at the Air Races is a thrill for us and is something that our fans won’t be able to see anywhere else in the world,” said Mike Major, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA). “Unmanned aircraft have received a lot of attention in the news, especially in Nevada, and this is a one-of-a-kind chance for people to get up close and personal with this technology in a fun and challenging environment.”
As one of the world’s foremost institutes for aviation and aeronautical education, Embry-Riddle – Worldwide created the Small UAS Challenge as a way to “promote and recognize the emerging UAS industry.” The competition, which is free and open to private and commercial participants, will feature an obstacle course, time trial and a dead lift, testing speed, agility and strength. Eligible aircraft must be able to perform a vertical takeoff and landing and can be no larger than 36 inches and 10 pounds. The number of participants is limited, and early registration is encouraged. All participants will receive free admission to the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
“We look forward to presenting this challenge during the STIHL National Championship Air Races,” said David Thirtyacre, assistant professor of aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. “As a leader in aviation and aeronautical education, Embry-Riddle Worldwide recognizes the importance of the UAS industry in both the state of Nevada and throughout the country.”
To register for the Small UAS Challenge:
sUAS Competition Registration
sUAS Challenge Rules
sUAS Competition Fact Sheet
by admin | Jul 16, 2014 | Air Race News
On the heels of a record-setting Pylon Racing Seminar, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have released its full entertainment lineup for the 51st event to be held Sept. 10-14 at the Reno Stead Airfield. In addition to an expected full field of elite race pilots in the world’s fastest motorsport, military demonstration teams and several of the world’s top aviation performers will ‘race on’ to awe hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts and curious spectators. This year, in addition to the already announced F-22 Raptor, L-39 Patriot Jet Team and top female aerobat Melissa Pemberton, will be Breitling stunt pilot and world aerobatic champion David Martin, Mark Peterson and his Alpha Jet, the famed John Klatt Airshows team featuring the Jack Link’s Jet Waco “Screamin’ Sasquatch,” the poignant Heritage Flight, a UAV drone demonstration (pending FAA approval) and the Bentley Car demonstration and race. This year’s event will also mark the return of the wildly-popular car drop, where a car is actually dropped from a helicopter flying high above the race course.
by admin | Jun 10, 2014 | Air Race News
To see the list click the link below:
Pylon Racing Seminar Participants
by admin | May 14, 2014 | Air Race News
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association announced this week that a record number of pilots and planes will take to the famed Reno Air Race course for the first time in 2014 during the 17th annual National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS), June 11-14. PRS, or ‘Rookie School,’ is the only chance for rookie pilots to qualify for the September race and offers an opportunity for all race pilots to test their aircraft and practice their racing skills. This year’s PRS, which is not open to the public, features more than 70 airplanes and 90 participants, eclipsing the previous record of 63 planes in 2007.
“PRS formally kicks off the anticipation and countdown for the September event and it’s the first time you get to hear the thunder of an unlimited engine, the roar of a jet engine and the friendly competitive chatter of pilots,” said Joey Scolari, member of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) board of directors. “To have such an overwhelming turnout of pilots and planes is a pretty good indication that this year’s National Championship Air Races will be one of our biggest, yet.”
All new pilots must attend PRS and complete and pass all classroom-based course work before flying in supervised test runs of the course. After successfully passing both segments, rookies will be given approval by flight instructors to race in the September event. Though mandatory for rookies, RARA, in conjunction with the individual racing class organizations, opens PRS to all pilots offering them practice time, education, training and certification. PRS helps ensure that racers compete with maximum competitiveness and safety at the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
“While the importance of PRS to pilot and spectator safety cannot be overstressed, it also builds excitement and provides us with an opportunity to get our volunteers and staff ready for September,” said Scolari. “We have a lot of exciting changes in store for this year’s event and PRS also allows us an important onsite opportunity to start our final preparations.”
The 51st annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event. The races kick off Wednesday, Sept. 10, and will continue through Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Reno-Stead Airport. Tickets for the show are available by phone at 775-972-6663 or online at www.airrace.org. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
