by admin | Aug 26, 2015 | Media
National Championship Air Races Expands UNR, NASA Sponsored Drone Zone
Reno, Nev. – NASA is set to expand on information related to its Unmanned Traffic Management research agenda at this year’s National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. Sept. 16-20. This year’s event will feature an expanded Drone Zone sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center in partnership with NASA.
“It is such an honor that NASA will be returning to the STIHL National Championship Air Races this year, let alone its plans to update the public on the latest developments on Unmanned Traffic Management research challenges ” said Mary Beth Sewald, vice chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association board of directors. “The UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) industry is rapidly growing and I’m excited to see Reno and UNR at the forefront of this technology.”
The Drone Zone will have a larger footprint this year located just inside the main entrance. The enclosed Drone Zone tent mall will include NASA and the University of Nevada, as well as host numerous professional UAV and robotic vendors from all over the country, provide advanced UAV demonstrations and several vendors will sell small, unmanned aerial vehicles.
In addition, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will be sponsoring the second annual small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Challenge. The competition will include an obstacle course, speed course and potential one-on-one “combat.”
“The intent of the expanded Drone Zone is to expose and educate the public about UAV’s, what they are and aren’t and give the public the opportunity to see the static displays and ask questions, “ said Warren “Bum” Rapp, director of Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center (NAASIC). “There is a great deal of interest in UAV’s with a new generation, so this is a wonderful opportunity to get young people out to the STIHL National Championship Air Races and the Drone Zone.”
The STIHL National Championship Air Races expects approximately 3,500 children from the Washoe County School District to visit the Drone Zone during race week where there will be classes on aviation.
“This is an opportunity to get kids excited about these technologies and think about applying what they’re learning in their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes as a path to college,” said Rapp.
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.
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.
Media Contact:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
[email protected]
by admin | Aug 11, 2015 | Media
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association continues to secure additional performers to what will be one of the best line-ups of exciting entertainment in the history of the races. In addition to previously announced performers including the Tora, Tora, Tora Airshow, Breitling Jet Team and F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Reno Air Racing Association is proud to welcome aerobatics pilot David Martin, the Red Eagles Formation Team, Wings of Blue USAF Academy Jump Team and the Heritage Flight team to the 2015 National Championship Air Races held Sept. 16-20 at the Reno Stead Airport.
David Martin’s standards for excellence encompass every aspect of aviation from aircraft restoration to performing aerobatic shows. He is the consummate aviator with a passion that has consumed him his entire life. David flies a unique airshow that demonstrates the extraordinary maneuverability of his Breitling CAP 232. He is well known in the aerobatic community for his ability to tumble the plane in unparalleled style, accomplishing maneuvers never duplicated by others.
Aviation is a critical part of America’s history and its future, and the Red Eagles Formation Team, based in Southern California, is committed to not only promoting aviation, but inspiring the next generation of aviators. The team safely demonstrates essential skills developed by our military for use in operations around the world and then takes pride in passing those skills on to our youth. The Red Eagles are the only warbird formation aerobatics team on the West Coast and one of only a handful in all of North America.
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. The Wings of Blue demonstration team travels across the country to airshows, sporting events and other venues to represent the Air Force in precision parachuting.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the Heritage Flight program was founded in 1997. The HF team currently consists of nine civilian pilots qualified to fly vintage warbirds in formation with modern USAF single-ship demonstration teams and F-4 pilots. Heritage Flights seek to honor the contributions of every man and woman who has served in the USAF while educating the general public on the importance of the USAF and its mission.
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 or to volunteer go to: https://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.
by admin | Jun 16, 2015 | Media
PRS is an annual safety briefing and qualifying seminar for September races
Reno, Nev. – The 18th annual National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) will be held June 17-20 at the Reno Stead Airport. PRS is a qualifying and safety seminar for pilots new to the STIHL National Championship Air Races. This year’s event, which is not open to the public, expects more than 58 airplanes and 86 participants, including students, instructors and certified pilots.
“The STIHL National Championship Air Races may not be until September but our preparation starts far before the planes arrive. PRS is an unofficial kickoff to the air races and we are excited to see some new faces at this year’s seminar,” said Mike Crowell, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “Rookie School, as many of the pilots call it, is a chance for pilots new to the races to get a feel for the course and safety guidelines. They have a chance to work and train with flight instructors who know the Reno Air Races like the back of their hands.”
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has sponsored PRS as a unique and productive opportunity for race pilots to prepare, practice and become certified to race in the STIHL National Championship Air Races each September. RARA, along with the individual race class organizations provides PRS to all pilots, though it is mandatory for rookies. The seminar offers race practice time, education, training and certification to all pilots, allowing them to race with maximum competitiveness and safety at the air races.
Tickets are on sale for the 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races held September 16-20, 2015 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit https://airrace.org.
by admin | May 22, 2015 | Media
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has secured its 501(c)(3), non-profit status. This will be the first year the organization will operate as a non-profit, bringing benefits to both RARA and its donors.
“This is huge for us and the future of the air races,” said Mike Crowell, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “The Reno Air Races have always been a community event and we look forward to doing even more to help grow our fan base. The Reno Air Races are a national event that produces almost $70 million of economic value for our city and state. Being a non-profit will provide financial aid that will enable us to sustain the event for years to come.”
In addition to many benefits, the new status means that contributions and donations will now be tax-deductible to the donor.
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 or to volunteer visit: https://airrace.org.
by admin | Apr 17, 2015 | Media
The entry application for this year’s race is posted! The entry deadline is June 26th, 2015. Please see the Racer Application for complete information.
by admin | Sep 9, 2014 | Media
Reno, Nev. – Today, at approximately 3:30 p.m., there was an incident involving one of our participating sport aircraft during the qualifying heat. The pilot is deceased. Per the policy of the Reno Air Racing Association, the name of the pilot and aircraft will not be released pending notification of next of kin. Flying has been cancelled for the remainder of today. Currently, the event will resume at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, as planned.
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