According to race officials, all seven classes of airplanes will take to the sky.

“We are incredibly excited as an organization for this monumental step in air racing history as we begin to execute our plan for the 2025 National Championship Air Races,” said Tony Logoteta, president and chief operating officer of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA). “We’re invigorated by the fact that we’re hosting the air races in a brand-new venue in Roswell. It’s going to be amazing to see this iconic event put on again and see our September family.”

Race organizers have visited Roswell several times in recent months to meet with airport staff, emergency services, and city officials to design a new course for the races, review safety protocols, and establish partnerships with the community, according to the organization. Contractors have also been secured for construction of race infrastructure, such as a grandstand.

New Racing Challenges

Air race pilots are expected to visit the area to fly the proposed course in advance of the Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) scheduled to be held in May in Roswell.

Race officials said the new venue will make for different challenges for the racers, but that “attendees can expect the same spirit of camaraderie, competition and classes of planes that are hallmarks of NCAR.”

Ticket sales and race details will be available in months to come. 

“Reuniting with our September family for the first air races in a new venue will be a historic and emotional moment for our organization as we eagerly prepare for next year alongside our partners in Roswell,” said Fred Telling, RARA chairman and chief executive officer.

• READ MORE: Taking in the Reno Air Races’ Final Lap

The National Championship Air Races traces its roots back to the Cleveland Air Races of the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. 

The event, billed as the fastest motorsport around, moved to Nevada in 1964. It was first held at Sky Ranch airfield near Spanish Springs, before it moved to Stead Air Force Base, which was later renamed Reno-Stead Airport (KRTS) after the base closed.

In September 2023, fans gathered at the Nevada airport for the last air race at that location, which local officials said was a venue no longer able to accommodate the growing sport. Over the decades, homes and subdivisions encroached upon the airport that had once been remote, sparking concerns about potential accidents that could harm area residents. 

The air races have become an end of summer institution for aviation enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to attracting hundreds of aircraft, pilots and support crews, the event also features large displays of static aircraft along with demonstrations of military and civil aircraft.

The National Championship Air Races are set for September 10-14, 2025.

The post Plans Advance for 2025 National Championship Air Races appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

A location for next year has not been announced.

The airport was built in 1942. The races have been held at Reno-Stead since 1964, when it was known as Stead Air Force Base. Today, the airport is shared by the military and civilians as a general aviation airport.

“It is with heavy hearts that we write this to let you know that, after nearly 60 years of air racing in northern Nevada, 2023 will be the last National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport,” RARA said in a statement Thursday. “While we knew this day might eventually come, we had hoped it wouldn’t come so soon. Citing the region’s significant growth amongst other concerns, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) has made the decision to sunset the event.”

“We are grateful for our time at the Reno-Stead Airport and our partnership with the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority that made the event possible,” the organization added.

• READ MORE: The Pilots of STOL Drag

FLYING made multiple attempts to reach someone from the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority but our calls were not returned before press time.

Knew It Was Coming

The races bring in millions of dollars to the local economy as thousands of aviation fans and racers flock to the area. RARA is encouraging the public and the race regulars to come to the last event.

“We knew it was coming,” said Marilyn Dash, who has competed in the races and been a spectator for 25 years.

Dash attributes the RTAA’s decision to terminate the lease for the races on the encroachment that has been happening since the 1960s, saying the neighborhoods and homes pop up every year, getting closer to the buffer zone around the race courses, which extend approximately 10 miles from the airport.

Safety Concerns

Over the years, aircraft accidents, some of them high profile, have raised safety concerns.

On September 16, 2011, the highly modified P-51 Galloping Ghost crashed in front of the box seats, killing 11 people—including the pilot—and injuring at least 64 others, some of whom by shrapnel created when the aircraft plunged onto the ramp and disintegrated. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that worn-out parts and untested modifications led to the pilot’s loss of control and subsequent accident.

• READ MORE: The Draw of STOL Drag

Last year on September 18, an Aero Vodochody L-29 crashed during a race, killing the pilot. According to the NTSB report, the aircraft was competing in Race 29, and on lap 3 of 6, entered a climb as it neared outer pylon No. 4. The aircraft steeped its bank to approximately 90 degrees, and started a descent, then rolled left to an approximate 90-degree bank and continued rolling until it struck the ground in a nose-low attitude just outside pylon No. 5. The aircraft exploded on impact.

Vintage Aircraft

In addition to the highly modified, highly specialized racing airplanes, Reno was a great place to view award winning vintage aircraft, says Ron Kaplan, executive director at Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center. 

Kaplan has been involved in the races since he was part of the Miss America P-51 Air Racing Team in the mid-1990s. In 1998, Kaplan and Mike Houghton, then CEO of RARA, were with the Smithsonian, NAHF, and Rolls-Royce, and they co-founded the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Owners of airworthy vintage aircraft were invited to fly to the event and have their aircraft judged, similar to how it is done at EAA AirVenture each year.

“We would literally host 25 to 35 flying museum pieces each year. And running into the likes of  our enshrinees added to the allure, for everyone—spectators, sponsors, participants,” said Kaplan, who served as the NAHI deputy director up until his retirement last year.

Reno often attracted aviation and aerospace legends, such as Paul Tibbets, Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Bud Anderson, Don Lopez, Gene Cernan, Herb Kelleher, Patrick Brady “and many, many heroes and legends of flight,” Kaplan added. “It was never a hard sell to get true aviation aficionados to join us, and many of them, like Bob Hoover, Hoot Gibson, and Clay Lacy, were regulars, anyway.”

• VIDEO: Go Behind the Scenes at the Reno Air Races

One of the highlights of Reno was that the majority of attendees came with an inherent appreciation and understanding of aviation history, Kaplan said.

“That was a major reason the annual ‘People’s Choice Award’ trophy, as voted by the spectators, was almost as popular as the Grand Champion trophy itself.”

Saying Goodbye

It is difficult to imagine the races being held anyplace else, Dash said.

RARA is exploring other venues that accept the 100,000 to 150,000 people that come to the event. 

“I have heard there have been suggestions of moving it to Tonopah, Minden, or Wendover airports,” Dash said. Both Tonopah and Minden Airports are in Nevada; Wendover is in Utah.

The RARA is encouraging racers and race fans to make one more trip to Reno for the last event, “making this year’s event the biggest and most successful it can be,” it said.

The last National Championship Air Races in Reno will take place from September 13 through 17. The organizers say they expect more than 150 airplanes and pilots to attend, as well as several hands-on displays and experiences, including a STEM Education Discovery Zone, the ever popular heritage displays, military demonstrations, and static displays and more.

The event will also mark the third year of competition for the STOL (short take-off and landing) Drag series. Tickets can be purchased here.

“Some teams spend all year working on airplane designs and modifications in preparation for the Reno Air Races, as it is a one of a kind event held in the United States,” says Dash. “This is our last time to get us all together. This is your last year to go—let’s just do it. Let’s send it off with a bang.”

The post Regional Growth Forces Reno Air Races to Look for New Home appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Pilots on scene posted onto social media immediately following the accident, which took place near Pylon 5 on the course. All other jets in the heat returned to base safely.

BREAKING: A plane crashed at the Reno Air Races just now, sparking a fire. Here’s what we know: https://t.co/LmI5QdAUrY pic.twitter.com/6DfRpmnpIB

— Ben Margiott (@BenMargiott) September 18, 2022

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened an investigation into the accident. RARA halted all races at the time, and it proceded to shutter the event, scrapping the Unlimited Gold Class race in deference to the unfortunate turn of events. In lieu of an awards ceremony, racers, teams, and supporters gathered for dinner Sunday night before heading home on Monday.

At this time we are gathering information and confirming details of the incident that happened today during the Jet Gold Race. We can confirm that only one plane was involved. The National Championship Air Races has suspended all operations for the 2022 event.

— Reno Air Racing Association (@RenoAirRaces) September 18, 2022

The 2022 air races had been operating under strained conditions, the result of wildfires that had severely reduced visibility at Reno-Stead Airport (KRTS) all week, with many heats canceled.

At 3 p.m. local time on Monday, RARA’s Fred Telling provided an update. ‘’Yesterday we lost a member of our race family during the Jet Gold Race on the third lap, Jet race #29, Ballista, piloted by Aaron Hogue.

‘’Aaron’s death affects everyone in our September family deeply. While we cannot change this tragedy, I would ask everyone to think, pray, and to honor Aaron and the passion he had for life, and certainly for air racing.

‘’I hope that all who are affected by this sad event can support each other through the stages of grief so we may all begin to find healing. I ask you all for prayers and well wishes for Aaron’s family who were present and witnessed this tragedy.

‘’After the incident, we suspended remaining air operations and all activities and events which would normally be part of our Sunday night closing Awards Ceremony. Instead, we invited all who wished to join us to be together to help each of us deal with the grief we feel, and hopefully find strength in our being a true September family.

‘’The outpouring of sympathy and support for Aaron was evident and profound, as over 1,000 people from our race classes, staff, volunteers, board of directors, and supporters attended. Their love and fierce solidarity were very moving.

There are of course many questions surrounding this event, but as it is an active investigation, we must defer to the [NTSB] and [FAA]. We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available, and we ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate these difficult circumstances.’’

The post Update: Reno Jet Gold Race Ends in Tragedy appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Reno has returned to flight status—and in fine shape as the shadows of the pandemic have retreated. The 2021 National Championship Air Races wrapped up Sunday with the final races in most classes at the Reno-Stead International Airport in Nevada.

The ghosts of the past have informed the racers of today. While protocols and attention to the details of racing safely make for a firm foundation, the conduct of each pilot still remains that person’s responsibility.

With a race card that went off without an incident or accident—and a high degree of professionalism—the collective cadre of pilots has proven its ability to rise to the level of airmanship that the “fastest motorsport” demands.

With seven classes now represented at Reno—STOL Drag was added this year to the six classes previously in play—the races offered up a breadth of aviation to weekend crowds that filled the grandstand after a two-year hiatus.

STOL Drag

Competitors in this newest of Reno classes completed their heats and finals during the week, with a wide range of aircraft and pilots vying for places in the bronze, silver, and gold divisions by testing themselves in a short-field takeoff and landing contest that played out directly in front of the crowd with a high degree of dust and drama.

The final round on Friday in the Gold division came down to a photo finish: The judges reviewed slo-mo footage to determine first and second place between Toby Ashley and Steve Henry. In the end, only 0.2 inches separated them.

STOL Drag Final Round:

The class illuminated the appeal of the new concept to relatively new and seasoned pilots alike—and how an airplane often considered “old and slow” such as a Piper Clipper can be used in a unique way to demonstrate adept pilot skill.

More results from STOL Drag can be found here.

Biplanes, Formula 1, T-6s

While other classes attract a broad range of types, the biplane, Formula 1, and T-6 classes pit birds of a feather against each other.

Biplanes Top Three (Gold):

More results from the Biplane class can be found here.

Formula 1 Top Three (Gold):

More results from the Formula 1 class can be found here.

T-6s Top Three (Gold):

More results from the T-6 class can be found here.

Sport Class

In airmanship and sportsmanship, the pilots competing within the Sport class at Reno set the bar. Established as a new class in the 90s, the Sport class allows for experimental and production aircraft to vie for a top speed on the Reno course within certain parameters.

The free and open nature of the class was evident in the camaraderie and competitive nature of the airplanes that scored at the top in each division.

For example, a Van’s Aircraft RV-8, Miss Ruby S, took top honors in the lowest speed class, Medallion, with Skylor Piper notching 233.921 mph on the course.

In the Bronze division, Neil Wischer’s Triple Eight led the pack in his RV-8 with a high mark of 254.302 mph.

Racing away from the rest in the Silver division was Vicky Benzing in Lucky Girl, her Lancair Legacy, with a blistering 305.199 mph.

The winner of the top speed division, Gold, was Jeff LaVelle, who notched 400.834 mph in his Glasair III—only the second pilot in the sport class to break the 400-mph barrier.

Sport Top Three:

More results from the Sport class can be found here.

Jet Class

The USAF Thunderbirds weren’t the only hot jets crossing the skies over Reno—for 2021 the Jet class featured L-29s and L-39s, with a lone L-139 flown by Dianna Stanger, and a SIAI Marchetti flown by Scott Farnsworth.

The Jet class gives Reno its top speeds overall—with winner Pete Stavrides clocking 502.362 mph in an L-29 in the Gold finals on Sunday.

Jets Top Three:

More results from the Jet class can be found here.

Unlimited Class

The unlimited class brings aviation history close at hand, with its parade of Sea Furies and P-51 Mustangs—the gallant warbirds that keep flying more than 75 years after their debut.

They were built for speed—and success in air combat—so it makes sense they would rule the roost. Though top aircraft in the Sport class now notch commensurate speeds in some cases, the Unlimited class holds onto final billing on the schedule as a position of honor these aircraft and their pilots have earned with blood, sweat, and tears.

Unlimited Top Three:

More results from the Unlimited class can be found here.

Click here to check out a photo gallery from the races in Reno.

The post Reno Air Races Return to Form appeared first on FLYING Magazine.