by admin | Feb 29, 2024 | Air Race News, Media, Scholarships
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is pleased to announce the top three locations in the running to become the future home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR). The three finalist cities are Casper, Wyo., Pueblo, Colo. and Roswell, N.M. The National Championship Air Races are a one-of-a-kind air racing event which has brought an estimated $100 million in annual economic impact to its current home in northern Nevada.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the amazing, positive feedback we’ve received from the six bidding communities as a whole, as we search for the future home for the National Championship Air Races,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for the Reno Air Racing Association. “There were many, many elements to consider, and we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to all the entrants who put in the time and effort to submit their carefully thought-out proposals. Through a rigorous vetting process, we feel confident that one of these three locations will provide the right mix of elements our event needs to continue to race well into the future.”
In April of 2023, after receiving 38 inquiries from different locations, an official request for proposals from the Reno Air Racing Association was sent out nationwide to find a future home for the National Championship Air Races. Eleven cities attended one of two bidders’ conferences in 2023, expressing further interest to host the event. Of the 11, six cities submitted complete proposals.
Telling also expressed his appreciation for RARA’s race fans saying, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the overwhelming support we’ve received from our September Family as we go through this process. We are anxiously looking forward to welcoming everyone back to air racing in 2025.”
A series of site visits were conducted at each of the six locations by some RARA board members, Class pilot representatives and other committee participants to assess the viability of hosting the pinnacle air racing event at their facilities. A myriad of factors were taken into account, including the ability of venues to host large crowds, handle hundreds of aircraft and support the large race course needed for the event. With these and many other factors in mind – Casper, Pueblo and Roswell were chosen as the top three finalists.
Telling also conveyed his deep appreciation to Buckeye, Ariz. Thermal, Calif. and Wendover, Utah for their efforts and support stating, “While these locations were not ultimately chosen to be the home of the next NCAR, they each have tremendous merit and value in their own right. We will be reaching out to them to continue discussions on their potential as expansion venues in the near future.”
A final decision on the future home of the National Championship Air Races is expected in April 2024. In the interim, the organization continues to prepare for its 2024 air show and 60th anniversary celebration in Reno in October ahead of the return of the air races in 2025.
by admin | Jan 31, 2024 | Air Race News, Media, Scholarships
Flight Training Scholarships available to local young adults seeking to join the aviation field
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to announce the launch of its 3rd annual Flight Training Scholarships, aimed at supporting aspiring pilots aged 16 to 20 from the Reno-Sparks and surrounding areas in achieving their Private Pilot License. Committed to fostering aviation education, RARA will award 12 scholarships, each valued at up to $10,000. These scholarships help alleviate the financial barriers that many aspiring pilots face as they pursue their dreams of flight and careers in aviation. The application period for this year’s scholarships will be open from Thursday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, March 31. More information on the application and requirements can be found on the RARA website here.
“We are proud to continue our tradition of supporting young, ambitious individuals who aim to soar to new heights in the field of aviation,” said Fred Telling, RARA Chairman and CEO. “We’re proud to offer two additional scholarships this year, a new offering in our program, which allows a donor to honor an individual or organization as the named sponsor for one or more scholarships. These contributions represent a significant investment in the future of aviation while recognizing those whose impact continues to make a difference. We look forward to awarding many more scholarships as we discover and nurture the talents of the next generation of pilots.”
Applicants for the scholarships are evaluated based on their dedication, passion for aviation and commitment to obtaining a Private Pilot License. The scholarship selection committee is composed of experienced aviation professionals who understand the importance of diligence and mentorship throughout the training process.
The scholarships are made possible through the generous support of various organizations and individuals, including significant contributions from The Ray Foundation, The Ellsworth Hovey Getchel Foundation, Si Robins and numerous other philanthropic donations. The Ellsworth Hovey Getchel Foundation and Si Robins joined the Ray Foundation this year in adding two named awards as part of the scholarships’ ongoing expansion.
Chosen recipients will be announced on Wednesday, May 15. The scholarships apply toward the costs of flight training and also ensure mentors are available to provide guidance and support, addressing specific issues that may arise during students’ journey towards becoming licensed pilots.
For more information about the Reno Air Racing Association’s Flight Training Scholarships, eligibility criteria, and application details, please visit airrace.org or contact Greg Gibson, Scholarship Coordinator at [email protected]
by admin | Dec 21, 2023 | Air Race News, Media
To our amazing September Family,
As 2023 draws to a close, it would not be overstating to say that it has been one of the most challenging and yet highly successful years in our six decades as the Reno Air Racing Association. Following notice from our airport authority, we announced in March that this would be our last year of air racing at Reno-Stead. While it was indeed a sad and undesirable announcement, you, our fans, volunteers, sponsors, racers, staff, exhibitors, and vendors, all made it clear early on that 2023’s National Championship Air Races would be a grand finale like no other. Initial ticket sales on opening day received such an overwhelming response that our servers crashed! They were quickly back in action, and the following months demonstrated that our September Family was going to be there in numbers the likes of which we have not seen in many years.
Behind the scenes, once the announcement was made, we immediately embarked on a three-phase mission, which we are proud to say is not only proceeding well, but in all likelihood will exceed even our most ambitious expectations!
Our mission was threefold. First, we wanted to have a successful, profitable final race week at Reno that would give proper justice to our long tenure, as well as provide the funding to weather the search for a new location. Second, we planned to create and deliver an open national RFP process that would facilitate the vetting and selection of this new venue for NCAR with our full 7-race class and airshow complement. Finally, we would announce and host a farewell airshow in 2024 to celebrate our 60th anniversary and give a big introduction to our next chapter in a new home.
Fast forward to December, and we are thrilled to report that all three phases are well in hand. Checking the first box, the 2023 National Championship Air Races was an incredible success. While the tragic losses of Nick Macy and Chris Rushing after the T6 Gold Race on Sunday will forever sadly punctuate this historic week, the event itself and its results far exceeded our projections and provided us with the funding needed to proceed with our relocation efforts.
As for our search, as of this writing we have six finalist cities whose proposals have been reviewed and site visits to each have been completed. We are now in the deliberation phase of narrowing the decision down to our final selection, which we expect to announce in early spring 2024. We’d like to recognize Terry Matter, RARA Board Vice Chairman and Site Selection Committee Chairman along with our entire Site Selection Committee for their tireless work in finding our new home.
Finally, at the International Council of Airshows earlier this month we received the wonderful news that we will host not one, but TWO of the world’s most exciting and dynamic jet demonstration teams at our 2024 Airshow – the US Navy Blue Angels and the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds. Our show is scheduled for October 4-6, 2024, at Reno-Stead. We have a host of military and civilian performers plus static displays, a racing heritage area and our STEM Discovery Zone rounding out an amazing weekend of aviation excellence, along with a few surprises we have planned. Even though we are not racing, we are planning an epic celebration of our history and certainly our future that promises to be yet another amazing event for Northern Nevada.
Throughout these challenging yet triumphant times, our core mission has thrived. NCAR 2023 was a first-class air racing and airshow event, and we were able to honor our military with several key ceremonies and recognitions during the week. Our STEM Discovery Zone once again experienced incredible attendance, and we are proud to report that our first and second-year awardees of our Flight Training Scholarships are doing well, and we will be announcing our third year of scholarships this spring.
While the year began with what seemed insurmountable challenges, we are blessed with an incredible Board, Staff and Leadership team, and thanks to their amazing efforts combined with the support of our September Family we now have much to celebrate.
As we enter the holiday season reflecting on our mission, circumstances, and performance, we are humbled by the pride, resilience, and loyalty that all of you have shown as we embark on this next step in our journey. Please accept our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for persevering, celebrating, and joining us as we continue Racing for the Future. We are truly blessed by you and hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
With deepest appreciation and thanks,
Fred Telling
Chairman / CEO
Tony Logoteta
COO
by admin | Dec 8, 2023 | Air Race News, Media
Are you ready for some BIG NEWS about a BIG SHOW coming to Reno?!
The Reno Air Racing Association is thrilled to announce that the US Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Snowbirds and the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will all be coming to Reno on October 4-6, 2024!
So mark it on your calendar, and then keep an eye out for more details on the event and ticket release coming soon, as we celebrate 60 years of aviation excitement in Reno!
by admin | Nov 28, 2023 | Air Race News, Media
Today is a special day for all charitable organizations around the world, when a simple ask of support is highlighted a little extra through the creation of Giving Tuesday.
The Reno Air Racing Association’s Scholarship Program has a long standing history of success in helping young people get their feet (and planes) off the ground, and begin their trajectory toward a career in aviation.
So if you’re looking to be a part of something special on this global day of giving, we hope you’ll consider donating to this wonderful program. Then you can even follow along through social media and email as we highlight pilots making progress toward their future, thanks to the support you offered.
Learn more and make a donation by clicking below.
by admin | Nov 27, 2023 | Air Race News, Media
With so much to be thankful for this holiday season, we’re hoping to help spread the love around. Giving Tuesday offers a special opportunity to do just that through our Scholarship Program.
The Reno Air Racing Association’s Scholarship Program has a long standing history of success in helping young people get their feet (and planes) off the ground, and begin their trajectory toward a career
in aviation.
2023 saw several new pilots take their first solo flight thanks to the wonderful donations of our many supporters. We aim to make 2024 our best year yet, and the effort toward that begins now.
While we accept donations any time of the year, Tuesday, November 28th is #GivingTuesday. So if you’re looking to be a part of something special on this global day of giving, we hope you’ll consider donating to the Reno Air Racing Association’s Scholarship Program.
