STIHL National Championship Air Races Jet Class Plan Flyby in Reno, Sparks and Carson City
RENO, Nev. (Sept. 10, 2020) – In any other year, members of the Jet Class would be racing, head-to-head around the pylons at Reno-Stead Airport. And while the races were canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns, members of the Jet Class are gathering for a flyby as a nod to the local community and their “September family.”
“This has been a tough year and even though the races are cancelled we wanted to find a way to let the community know we were thinking about them that week,” said Jeff Turney, Jet Class past President and founding member of jet racing at the STIHL National Championship Air Races. “We miss seeing the fans and want to let them know we aren’t going anywhere; we can’t wait for 2021.”
The flight will take approximately one hour and will feature aerial smoke making the group highly visible as they fly over select locations. The aircraft will be low enough to be easily photographed, while remaining compliant with FAA regulations.
The Jet Class is one of seven race classes at the STIHL National Championship Air Races and considered to be the fastest aircraft. Inaugurated in the 2002 National Championship Air Races as an invitation-only class, featuring match racing with Czech-built Aerovodochody L-39 “Albatros” jets. Today the class has opened the field by adding other aircraft such as Provost, Iskra, L-29 and DeHavilland Vampires. This class truly stands for the “Fastest Motor Sport” with speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour.
Next year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races is scheduled for Sept. 15–19, just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. As a non-profit the Reno Air Racing Association relies on ticket purchases and donations to host the annual event, with the 2020 air races cancelled they are asking for the community’s support. Tax deductible donations can be made at AirRace.org.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit AirRace.org or call (775) 972-6663.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races
The STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets visit AirRace.org.