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STIHL National Championship Air Races Tickets on Sale Now

The world’s fastest motorsport returns to the Northern Nevada skies this year for the 58th time, September 14th through 18th! And that means you can now purchase tickets for the STIHL National Championship Air Races. What do we have in store for this year? Well for starters, we recently announced the military performers for this year’s event. Here, fans will be able to witness the unparalleled power, awe-inspiring maneuverability of the F-22 and F-18. Watch as they thunder past the grandstands during their demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday of race week! You won’t want to miss these performances! What else…

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Military Performers Announced for STIHL National Championship Air Races

RENO, Nev. (March 9, 2022) – Attendees of this year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races will be able to witness unparalleled power, awe-inspiring maneuverability and some of the world’s greatest pilots as the F-22 and F-18 demonstrations thunder past the grandstands when they perform Saturday and Sunday of race week. Fans can see these two military demonstrations and so much more during the 2022 event set for Sept. 14-18. F-22 Raptor Demonstration The U.S. Air Force’s premier combat-ready air-to-air dominance stealth fighter aircraft is showcased by the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team. The team performs precision aerial maneuvers at airshows around the world…

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Reno Air Racing Association Welcomes New Flight Operations Team

RENO, Nev. (March 3, 2022) – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has announced an all-new Flight Operations Team. The organization welcomes Owen Ashurst as Air Boss, Bill Beaton as Mini Boss and Tim Fitzgerald as Tower Chief. The Flight Operations team oversees all aspects of flight at the STIHL National Championship Air Races. In October of 2021 former Director of Flight Operations, Tony “Bear” Grady, submitted his resignation to pursue 2022 political interests and the RARA Board quickly went to work mobilizing a Selection Committee which consisted of Board members Sue Gardner, Terry Matter and Todd Donahue. “It was…

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Flight Training Scholarship Program Deadline Nears

We’re nearing the end of January, and that means that the application window for Flight Training Scholarships will close soon. Applicants will need to submit their applications for the Reno Air Racing Association’s inaugural Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) Program by January 31st at the latest. The program is supported by a grant from the Ray Foundation, Inc., and will initially provide up to ten scholarships to students. In order to apply, applicants must fulfil a specific set of criteria. For starters, they have to be between ages 16-22 and located in Northern Nevada. Academically, they must pass a Class III…

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National Aviation Heritage Invitational Celebrates 21st Year of Showcasing Rare, Restored Aircraft at STIHL National Championship Air Races

RENO, Nevada (January 26, 2022) – The National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) launches its 21st Annual vintage aircraft competition, at the STIHL National Championship Air Races, by formally opening the application process for restored aircraft to compete for the acclaimed NEIL A. ARMSTRONG AVIATION HERITAGE TROPHY. The prestigious event is hosted by the STIHL National Championship Air Races Sept 14-18, 2022. “The vintage aircraft competition, which was founded in 1998, has two primary goals; to encourage the preservation of our rich aviation history by encouraging the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition and to help inspire our nation’s youth…

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Reno Air Racing Association Announces New Director of Operations, Welcomes New Board Member

RENO, Nev. (January 26, 2022) – The Reno Air Racing Association announces Chris Johnson as Director of Operations who has taken over following Terry Matter’s retirement from the position. The organization also welcomes new board member, William “Bill” Freeman. The 2021 STIHL National Championship Air Races returned with a new face amongst the department heads. Chris Johnson, General Manager of Indian Hills General Improvement District, joined the Reno Air Racing Association as Director of Operations and successfully oversaw operations for the 2021 event. Johnson brings over 10 years of experience in airport and airshow management at the Minden-Tahoe Airport. Johnson…

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Reno Air Racing Association Wins Platinum Industry Award

RENO, Nev. (Dec. 15, 2021) —The Reno Air Racing Association brought home a platinum Pinnacle Award in the Large Civilian Air Show category for its 2021 social media and influencer program. The award was given at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Convention last week in Las Vegas. The platinum level is the highest given in this category at the annual convention. The 2021 STIHL National Championships returned this year after being sidelined by the pandemic in 2020. New this year the Reno Air Racing Association introduced an influencer marketing program inviting key influencers to experience the Air Races…

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Reno Air Racing Association Flight Scholarship Application Window Opens Dec. 1

RENO, Nev. (December 1, 2021) – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced today that the application window for its inaugural Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) Program will open Dec. 1, 2021. Supported in part by a grant from the Ray Foundation, Inc., the program will provide up to ten scholarships initially to students aged 16–20. Fred Telling, CEO of RARA, stated that this is one of several initiatives in progress that are designed to add year-round depth and scope to the excitement and tradition of the annual STIHL National Championship Air Races. “We want to become more than just a…

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Reno Air Racing Association Expands Donation Opportunities

RENO, Nev. (November 29, 2021) – With a successful 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races now in the books, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is turning its attention to extending its impact and preserving its legacy. COO Tony Logoteta shared that the organization is introducing a wider range of giving opportunities to help the not-for-profit deliver broader service to both aviation and the local community. “Our return to racing this year got us well down the road to recovery,” he said. “We still have work to do, but we are shifting our focus from survival to sustainability. Adding education…

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Reno Air Racing Association Reports Successful 2021

RENO, Nev. (November 23, 2021) – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced today that initial reporting indicates a successful return of the STIHL National Championship Air Races in 2021 after being forced to shutter in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Board Chairman and CEO Fred Telling is optimistic about the results of the storied contest. “I am pleased to report that we had a successful 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races,” he said in a recent statement. “From the standpoint of safety, we had no incidents or accidents, and from the financial side we were able to cover…