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The National Championship Air Races is the last event of its kind, carrying on the tradition of the Cleveland Air Races of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. In 1964, Bill Stead organized an air race near Reno, Nevada, and the Reno National Championship Air Races were born. In recent history, the event has attracted more than 1 million spectators and generated more than $750 million for the region’s economy.
However, the Reno Air Races are now looking for a new home. After 2023, the National Championship Air Races will be moving. They’re still determining where, but the organizers want the event to continue. The unique beauty of the Reno location will be hard to match, with its breathtaking desert mountains, skies exploding with color, and the roar of Merlin engines echoing through- out the valley.
In 2017, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to fly Mooney Aircraft’s M20V Acclaim Ultra to Reno. I have to tell you all, landing at Reno-Stead was such an honor, one that will stay in my memory forever. During my stay in Reno at 2017’s National Championship Air Races, I took some time to snap photos of the aircraft and scenery.
September 2023 / TWIN & TURBINE • 11