Large Aircraft Category Added To The 2010 National Aviation Heritage Invitational

Due to the ever increasing interest of aircraft owners and restorers, and the popularity of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, 2010 will mark the first year for the Large Aircraft Category. Open to both civil and military aircraft 45 years old or older with wing spans of 45 feet or more, these aircraft can be single or multi-engine aircraft and must be restored to airworthy condition.

The new category, sponsored by Air Transport World would apply to aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3, Grumman Albatross, B-25 Mitchell, Lockheed Harpoon, Douglas Invader A-26, Grumman Avenger TBF, Grumman TigerCat F7F and the Douglas Skyraider.

Bill Freeman, Publisher of Air Transport World stated, "ATW is proud to be the sponsor of this new very important category and first time award.  This category will add another dimension to the Invitational."

Prospective entries for this category must act quickly as we are limited to only seven aircraft in this new category for display.

The National Aviation Heritage Invitational is held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada on September 15 - 19, 2010. A panel of judges reviews participating aircraft against standard criteria developed by the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum that includes authenticity, quality of workmanship, attention to detail and technical merit. 

The Large Aircraft category joins the - Antique, Classic and Warbird, categories. Aircraft owners and restorers from all categories compete for the acclaimed Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy. The trophy resides at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia where the winning aircraft owner's name and the name of the restoration facility is engraved on a plaque placed on the trophy. The winner of each category and the overall winner are presented with keeper trophies.

DC-3 File Photo

In addition, the People's Choice trophy, sponsored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, is awarded to the owner of the aircraft receiving the largest number of votes cast by the event attendees.

Rolls-Royce and its partners, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, sponsor the Invitational. The National Aviation Heritage Invitational is also supported by the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, the General Aviation Manufacturer's Association (GAMA), Air Transport World, Air and Space Smithsonian magazine, Airmail Greetings, Super98, Perform Air, the Perich Group and LiveAirShowTV.

Applications for entry in the 12th annual Invitational must be submitted online no later than August 20, 2010.  Each aircraft may only be entered in one category, which must be declared on the application form.  No more than 40 aircraft will be selected.

FMI: www.heritagetrophy.com