The National Aviation Heritage Invitational Part Of The Reno
National Championship Air Races
2009 marks the 11th year for aircraft owners and restorers to
bring their beautifully restored aircraft for the National Aviation
Heritage Invitational at the National Championship Air Races. The
Invitational brings the bygone age of aviation back to life with
the prestigious antique, classic and warbird aircraft
competition.
We are delighted to be here in our 11th year to celebrate and
honor the beautiful aircraft and the tireless dedication of the
owners and restorers," said Ken Perich, Executive Director of the
National Aviation Heritage Invitational.
The first Invitational took place in September 1999 at the Reno
National Championship Air Races. National Aviation Hall of Fame
Enshrinee and former astronaut, Jim Lovell presented that year's
trophy to Bob Odegaard of Kindred, North Dakota for his beautifully
restored Goodyear F2G-1 'Super Corsair'.
Dubbed the "Traveling Museum of Aviation" the Invitational
allows antique aircraft owners and restorers to compete for the
prestigious Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy.
When not on display at the Invitational, the striking six-foot tall
Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy resides at the Smithsonian
Institution's National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
Center near Washington DC where the winning aircraft owner's name
and the name of the restoration facility is engraved on a plaque
placed on the trophy. The overall winner is presented with a keeper
trophy.
The Invitational competition encourages the preservation and
restoration of historic aircraft to airworthy condition and to the
very highest standards of workmanship and historical accuracy.
Participants compete in three categories, Antique (early aircraft
pre-1935), Classic (post 1935) and Warbird and are judged by a
five-member panel including representatives from the Smithsonian's
National Air and Space Museum.
Each aircraft is judged on its technical merit and how well it
represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to
the original manufacturer's condition is the "gold standard" for
each plane.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame's 'People's Choice' trophy is
awarded to the owner of the aircraft which receives the most votes
from the public reviewing the aircraft during the Invitational.
Voting ends September 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Throughout race week spectators can take a walk through aviation
history as they view a wide array of beautifully restored airplanes
including a 1945 Lockheed PV-2, a 1930 Laird LC-IB300 and a
1946L-5G Sentinel. "The event culminates on Sunday, September 20 as
National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinees and event sponsors
present the five trophies," said Perich.