aviation

“O

ur mission is to perpetuate

the most unique air racing

event and aviation experience

in the world by combining the

world’s fastest motor sport with spectacular

military and civilian air entertainment.”

That’s how the Reno Air Races Association

(RARA) describes its annual event. The 55th

edition of the Reno National Championship

Air Races was held at Reno-Stead Airport,

Nevada, in September.

More than 120 aircraft participated in six

categories: Biplane, Formula One, Sport,

Unlimited (any piston-powered aeroplane)

and Jet. There is a separate category just for

the North American T-6 Texan (and the SNJ

US Navy equivalent), due to the large number

of pilots  ying them who want to take part.

All race aircraft had to arrive by noon on

Saturday September 8. Two days later, there

was a practice session with quali cation

 ying taking place from that day to the

morning of the 12th. Racing then started in

the afternoon and ended on September 16.

What is generally considered the main event

• the Unlimited Gold race – took place on the
  afternoon of the last day.
  In addition to the racing to enjoy there
  were aircraft performing airshow displays
  from the Thursday through to the Sunday.

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Reno has four courses overlaid on the

same piece of ground used by different

categories of aircraft. They are roughly ovoid

in shape with seven to ten course pylons,

plus additional ones for guidance. All the

‘tracks’ share a southern stretch that runs

along the north side of the air eld’s east-

west runway, directly in front of the pits and

the grandstands. The longest is 7.9107 miles

(12.7310km), which has ten pylons, for the

Jet and Unlimited aircraft.

On the morning of September 14, during a

jet race, Aero L-39  own by Nathan Harnagel

(Race 13) and Alexandre Eckmann (Race 37)

made contact near pylon 5. Both aircraft were

damaged substantially but, thankfully, the

pilots were able to land safely.

The Reno Air Races attract pilots from

around the world. Tony Logoteta, COO/CFO

of RARA, said: “We had pilots representing

over a dozen countries.” For example, Kiwi

Graeme Frew participated in the Unlimited

HOT WINGS

“O“O

ur mission is to perpetuate All race aircraft had to arrive by noon on

Jay Selman reports on the high-octane thrills at the Reno Air Races,

where aircraft and pilots are pushed to the limit.

48 Aviation News incorporating Jets November 2018

Some of the competing aircraft in the Jet

category. The Phenom 300 at the end of

the line was the pace plane for jet races.