Looking Forward To Reno 2012 (Sept 12-16)... And I Hope I See YOU There

(click pic for hi-res)  Rolls Royce Griffon powered P-51 'Precious Metal' at Reno 2011
 

Race permit & insurance in place... tickets are on sale now for Reno 2012: Sept. 12-16

 Back in 2008 when I was brainstorming the idea for a high-quality aviation blog that would celebrate a wide range of aviation interests, there were two specific aviation events I knew I had to attend and share with you: Oshkosh and Reno. There are many great aviation events around the U.S. (and of course around the world) but these two really stand out.

 The incredible experience of Oshkosh has always been easy for me. I became an EAA member in 1970 at the age of 9 (#57138), and since that time I've lived within a 5-1/2 hour drive (or less) of OSH... that's why I've been there over 35 years. But Reno is a lot farther away from my home in Indiana and much harder to work into the yearly plans. Yet I knew that the Reno Air Races were important and unique to the world of aviation. I HAD to be there. This was especially true since the last time I had attended Reno was in 1970 when I was just 9 years old! (I was actually there 68-70)

 So, I made the long drive to Reno and back in 2009 and 2010, and then in 2011 I was fortunate to be able to let Southwest Airlines do the driving. Unfortunately, 2011 would be a year of great tragedy at Reno. The accident on September 16, 2011 involving The Galloping Ghost that took 11 lives (10 spectators and the pilot), seriously injured many more, and brought the races to an end two days early, put the future of the event in jeopardy. But I've been a firm believer since September 16, 2011 that the tragedy wasn't the result of poor planning or unacceptable risks being taken... instead, it was the kind of freak accident that simply can't be planned for. There is always risk in this life, and sometimes it catches us no matter how prepared we are.

  In the months since the accident, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has been diligent in seeking to make any changes deemed necessary to insure maximum safety for all involved, and they have worked with all the required authorities... best of all, they have been successful in securing the permits and insurance to make the Reno Air Races a reality for 2012. I think this is great news. It's the right answer. It's the right response to what happened on September 16, 2011.

(click pic to enlarge)  Multiple championship P-51 'Strega' up close at Reno 2011
 

 You can be sure I'll be doing everything in my power to be at the world's greatest air race at Stead Field in Reno Nevada this September 12-16 - But I want YOU to be there too! Maybe you're one of the thousands of people who's always been interested or wanted to go to Reno, but for whatever reason you've never made it... or you've been before but not for several years. This is your year. The event needs your support. Air racing needs your support. Please do whatever you can to make plans to be at the 2012 Reno Air Races. This non-profit event has endured significant financial hardship, and for the races to face the future successfully, they need our support, and they need it now.

Please, meet me in Reno this September!

Comments

[Sam]

Reno is for sure a one of a kind event! I will be there and maybe someday in the drivers seat ;)