by admin | Jun 7, 2016 | Media
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced performers for the 2016 National Championship Air Races, to be held September 14 – 18, 2016 at the Reno-Stead Airport. The United States Navy’s Blue Angels will headline this year’s performers.
The Wings of Blue United States Air Force (USAF) Jump Team will also perform and Jim Peitz will pilot an aerobatic Beechcraft F33C bonanza. Performers will also include the Lucas Oil Pitts, the Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Car, and for the first time, an F-35A stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona will join the line of static displays.
“The STIHL National Championship Air Races are honored that the Blue Angels will be returning to Reno this year,” RARA President and CEO Mike Crowell said. “We are also excited that on its first ever tour of air show performances, Reno will see an F-35 in the line of static displays. Each and every year, the performers take this event to an even higher level. I hope that race fans, visitors and spectators will be as excited about this year’s lineup as I am.”
Descriptions of each performer are included below.
Blue Angels
The Blue Angels is the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, with aviators from the Navy and Marines. Formed in 1946, the Blue Angels’ six demonstration pilots fly the F/A-18 Hornet. The Blue Angels’ C-130, affectionately known as Fat Albert, begins each demonstration by exhibiting its maximum performance capabilities during a ten-minute performance. Shortly thereafter, you will see the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-jet Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators.
Wings of Blue USAF Academy Jump Team
The Wings of Blue have a long standing commitment to personal and organizational excellence as well as a storied history of success. While the airspace that the Wings of Blue operates in is one of the busiest in the world, their drop zone is one of the safest. The primary mission of the Wings of Blue is to run the Air Force’s Basic Freefall Parachuting course, known as Airmanship 490 (AM-490). Members of the team serve primarily as jumpmasters and instructors for this course, devoting most of their time to teaching students about parachuting and training them to make unassisted freefall skydives. AM-490 is the only certified first-jump program in the world where students can make their first freefall jump without assistance. Each year, over 700 cadets are given the opportunity to take AM-490 and earn their jump wings.
Jim Peitz
Jim Peitz performs an aerobatic routine in a Beechcraft F33C Bonanza. One of the very few Aerobatic Bonanza’s ever built, Jim is guaranteed to turn heads in this plane – loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, hammerheads (yes, this Bonanza goes vertical!) and more. With a smoke system included, this is the act air show fans will talk about long after the show.
Lucas Oil Pitts
Mike Wiskus brings the Lucas Oil Pitts to the Air Races this year. The Pitts S-1-11B was the last design of the famous Pitts Special line. The airplane is one of the few, if not the only, unlimited type aircraft that can be built from scratch. (With a set of plans that is.)
Known as the Super Stinker, the S-1-11B was created for competition aerobatics, a field that was becoming more and more dominated by monoplanes. What’s more, Mike took this particular Super Stinker to a silver medal in the 2004 world championships in Sweden.
Mike has owned a number of Pitts aircraft over the years. He has owned the Lucas Oil Pitts S-1-11B, which he rebuilt after purchasing the plane on EBay as a wreck, since 2000.
Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Car
Out on the taxiway you can hear the deafening roar of an engine and see billowing clouds of smoke. You can feel the reverberations of mini sonic booms. You look up and realize it’s not an aircraft. In front of you is the Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Car preparing to accelerate.
Before beginning his show, Bill Braack, driver, slowly drives past the crowd. He engages the afterburner which shoots 20-foot flames, produces billowing smoke and mini sonic booms.
At the end of the runway, the jet car comes to a standstill. An airplane above has challenged Bill to a race. Jaws drop as the aircraft approaches. Bill is signaled by his crew member “Scuba” Steve Uhrich, that the aircraft is directly overhead. He kicks in the afterburner and accelerates the jet car—he races at speed approaching 400 mph and overtakes the plane in seconds. Bill is pulling 4.5 Gs. As he deploys the parachute to bring the car to a stop, he experiences 11 Gs of negative force. Eyes blinking, the crowd is astonished at what it just witnessed.
F-35
For the first time ever, an F-35 fighter jet, piloted by Maj. William Andreotta, USAF, and assigned to Luke Air Force Base in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale will visit air shows across the country this year.
The jet will make its first appearance as part of the Air Force Heritage Flight program at Luke’s air show on April 2nd and 3rd and then travel to air shows nationwide, including Reno.
The heritage flight program, of which the F-35 is a part, teams up current Air Force fighters with planes from the World War II, Korean and Vietnam eras in a dynamic display of our nation’s airpower history.
Tickets are on sale for the 53rd Annual National Championship Air Races held September 14-18, 2016 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information, or to volunteer, visit https://airrace.org.
by admin | Jun 7, 2016 | Media
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) issued a call for volunteers for this year’s National Championship Air Races, held September 14 – 18th at the Reno-Stead Airport.
Volunteers are needed in areas including security/gate control, parking management, food & beverage services, hospitality, transportation services, ticket sales, site preparation, operations, logistics, and in the office. RARA will work with volunteers to schedule convenient days and time slots.
Those who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to apply online: https://airrace.org/about-us/volunteer/. Questions may be directed to the Air Races office at (775) 972-6663.
by admin | Mar 22, 2016 | Media
One-hour special TV show about Reno Air Races will broadcast at noon PST March 27 on NBC Sports.
Check out this story on rgj.com: http://on.rgj.com/1Mkj6My
by admin | Sep 11, 2015 | Media
Reno, Nev. – NBC Sports is slated to air a one-hour special on the STIHL National Championship Air Races in February of 2016. This is an incredible opportunity for the Air Races and the Northern Nevada area to be exposed to a national television audience.
The one-hour special is being produced by JM Associates, an Emmy Award-winning production company and leader in content development for sports and outdoor broadcasts.
“We’ve been producing niche sports for over 40 years and when we were invited to see what the STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. were all about, it took one quick look to know that this will be a hit with the national audience. Directing our cameras toward extremely compelling characters and fast, high-tech flying machines is a recipe for success,” said Mike McKinnis, VP Executive Producer for JM Associates.
Sponsorship of the special on NBC includes the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority as the Presenting Sponsor, and the Nevada Commission on Tourism, NASA, University of Nevada, Reno, STIHL, Inc. and Lewis Energy Group as the Gold Sponsors.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring a national treasure like the STIHL National Championship Air Races to a worldwide audience,” said Reno Air Racing Association president and CEO, Mike Crowell. “This will bring worldwide exposure not only to the STIHL National Championship Air Races, but also the Reno-Tahoe area and Nevada as a whole, and we couldn’t be more proud to be showcased on a premium network like NBC Sports.”
Viewers can watch the NBC Sports special on the STIHL National Championship Air Races in February, 2016. The air date and time will be confirmed at a later date.
Tickets are now on sale for the 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races held Sept. 16-20, 2015 at Reno-Stead Airport. For more information, to volunteer or become a vendor visit AirRace.org.
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About the Reno Air Racing Association:
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a 501(c)(3), holds the STIHL National Championship Air Races every September just north of Reno. The Reno Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event generated more than $66 million for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit www.airrace.org.
Media Contact:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
[email protected]
by admin | Sep 9, 2015 | Media
Reno, Nev. – The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event. Tickets for the event are still on sale.
WHAT: The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races
WHERE: The Reno-Stead Airport
14501 Mt Anderson St, Reno, NV 89506
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Sunday Sept. 20; 8am – 4:30pm
The day begins with Biplane and Formula One Class races with the remaining four classes and aerobatic performances and demonstrations following later in the day. Unlimited Class races occur in the afternoon with the last event of the day ending at approximately 4:30 p.m. Schedule subject to change. Please see the tentative schedule for a complete list of events.
HOW: 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.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and generated more than $66 million for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit www.airrace.org.
Media Contact:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
[email protected]
by admin | Aug 27, 2015 | Media
Building on the success of last year’s challenge, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will host the second annual small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) Challenge at the STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev., Sept. 16-20.
The 2015 challenge, which is sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center in partnership with NASA, will be composed of two separate competitions: An “Open Class” where competitors race their own sUAS and the “International Race of Champions” (IROC) format race where all participants race identical drones provided by Embry-Riddle.
The competition will take place inside the netted, 40 foot by 60 foot by 30 foot high “Drone Zone.” Only experienced operators may participate, and Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) membership is required to participate in the Open Class.
“The objective of the sUAS Challenge is to educate the public on UAS operations and opportunities, as well as highlight Nevada’s and Embry-Riddle’s leadership roles in unmanned development and innovation,” said Embry-Riddle Worldwide Assistant Professor David Thirtyacre, who is the challenge coordinator. “It is great to give the public a taste of what our students are working on as part of the future of this exciting field.”
The Open Class will include practice sessions Thursday and Friday, eliminations on Saturday and finals on Sunday. Each day will begin with a mandatory operators meeting at 9 a.m. with trials between 9 a.m. and noon. In the spirit of the Open Class, there are no restrictions for control techniques; either Line of Sight (LOS) or First Person View (FPV) may be used, nor are there restrictions on automation. The field for the Open Class is limited to 25 participants and will include obstacle and speed courses. All races will be in an individual, time trial format, with the winner determined by minimum time to successfully accomplish the course.
The IROC Class will be a separate race each day (Thursday through Sunday) with a required signup for each day. The competition will take place inside the drone zone from 2 to 4 p.m. The aircraft supplied will be a 180-size quad similar to a Dromida Ominus or Blade 180. The competition will be in a time trial format to determine the four fastest competitors. The final four fastest qualifiers will then race in a side-by-side semifinal and final race. The field will be limited to 15 participants per day or as determined by the event staff.
The Challenge is open to any private, academic or commercial participant, limited to one vehicle per operator. For the Open Class, the sUAS must be able to take off and land vertically (VTOL), be less than approximately 36 inches in major axis, less than 18 inches in elevation and weigh less than 10 pounds. The sUAS will be required to use an electric propulsion, actuation and power system, controlled by remote transmission using the FCC unlicensed bands. To ensure control reliability, a spectrum analyzer will be employed to ensure deconfliction.
There is no charge for entry in the ERAU sUAS Challenge, and each Open Class entry will receive complimentary general admission tickets to the STIHL National Championship Air Races. Trophies will be awarded to the Open Class Obstacle Course winner, Speed Course winner, and combined champion. Trophies will also be awarded to the daily winner of the IROC Class.
Those who wish to participate in the sUAS Challenge must register in advance by going to erau.edu/follow. For more information on the competition, email [email protected].
Weather or other factors may cause alterations or cancellation of each day’s competition.
WHERE: 14501 Mt. Anderson St., Reno, NV 89506. The Embry-Riddle Experience will be located inside the expanded Drone Zone just inside the main gates to the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
INFORMATION:
– National Championship Air Races: airrace.org
– sUAS Challenge: registration form and official rules
– Embry-Riddle unmanned and other degree programs: erau.edu/degrees
MEDIA CONTACTS:
– Melanie Hanns, Director of University Communications/Media Relations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; (386) 226-7538 or (386) 283-0753; [email protected]
– Valerie Glenn, The Glenn Group, (775) 686-7777 or (775) 250-8155, [email protected]
About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 75 baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and through online programs. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.
About the Reno Air Racing Association
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a 501(c)(3), holds the STIHL National Championship Air Races every September just north of Reno. The Reno Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event generated more than $66 million for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit
www.airrace.org, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RenoAirRacingAssociation.
