For more than two decades, the Reno Air Racing Association has hosted the Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) as, a unique and productive opportunity for race pilots to prepare, practice and become certified to race in the National Championship Air Races each September.

PRS is in June 4th – 9th this year.


Students receive four (4) days of instruction from some of the greatest race pilots of all time.  You will learn to fly the pylons at 50 feet above the desert floor at extreme speeds!

The Reno Air Racing Association has committed to assembling the most skilled, race-certified pilots to compete at the National Championship Air Races. To accomplish this objective, RARA along with the individual racing class organizations provide PRS to all pilots — offering race practice time, education, training and certification to all pilots and allowing them to race with maximum competitiveness and safety at the National Championship Air Races.

2023 PRS Pilots

Who is certified to race?

Pilots and alternate pilots certified to race in the National Championship Air Races must have competed in the same racing class in Reno within the past three races, or received Race Class Pilot Certification during the Reno Pylon Racing Seminar, including:

  • Ground School
  • Reno Pylon Race Simulation Flying
  • Passing the check ride by the FAA Certified Race Class Check Pilot

Who must attend the Pylon Racing Seminar?

You must attend PRS if you fall into any one of the following categories:

  • Never raced at the National Championship Air Races
  • Raced in a different race class at the National Championship Air Races
  • Not raced in the same race class in Reno within the past three years

PRS is a pilot certification program, not an aircraft qualification period. Although it is recommended, a pilot need not fly the plane he or she will race. However, any aircraft used must be of the same class for which the certification is being sought.

To request a Invitation to Participate in Pylon Racing Seminar, please contact [email protected].