PRS PRESS RELEASE June 13, 2008
Planes to Fly for the First Time in ’08 During Reno Air Races Rookie School
Pylon Racing Seminar is Annual Qualifying Event for September Races
RENO, Nev.- A near-record number of pilots will participate in the National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS), also known as Rookie School, June 18-21 at the Reno-Stead Airfield. Now in its eleventh year, PRS allows pilots a low pressure opportunity to safely improve air racing techniques.
The planes that will be flying will include Unlimited Class fan favorites “Dago Red,” “Voodoo” and “Strega,” as pilots begin training, testing and preparing for the National Championship Air Races on Sept. 10-14. Rookie pilots are required to attend in order to qualify for the September event.
“I am pleased by the increase in attendance for PRS because it is an indication of the dedication among our pilots to safe, fast paced, high quality air racing,” said Reno Air Races President and CEO Mike Houghton. “There is a lot of energy heading into rookie school and that will only bode well for the excitement we will all feel in September.”
Rookies and veterans alike will take to the skies over the Reno-Stead Airfield and the Reno Air Races racetrack during PRS for their only opportunity to gain extra track time until the National Championship Air Races, Sept. 10-14.
“PRS gives both pilots and race officials an opportunity to test ability levels and safety procedures in a noncompetitive, low pressure situation,” Houghton said. “It is part of our year-round efforts to ensure that the Reno Air Races are as safe as possible.”
New pilots must complete and pass all the classroom based course work, known as ground school and then successfully fly in a supervised test run of the course known as check flights. Only after successfully passing these criteria will flight instructors approve them to race in the September event.
The Reno Stead Airfield is open to the public during PRS and spectators and aviation enthusiasts are encouraged to come see air race planes take to the sky for the first time in 2008. However, there will be no vendor facilities set-up during this event.
The 45th Annual National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno is the premier air racing event in the world. The air races take-off from Sept. 10-14, 2008 at the Reno Stead Airfield. For tickets or more information please visit www.airrace.org or call (775) 972-6663.
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