In 1997, it was decided there should be a better way to help
prepare pilots for the National Championship Air Races held each year during
September, in Reno, NV. Previously, hopeful race pilots may arrive a few days
early in September and be taken through a series of air maneuvers the weekend
before the races. As the races started
to attract more classes and more racers – a better, more structured training became
necessary.
This June marked the 19th Pylon Racing Seminar AKA
Rookie School. And - for the fourth year in a row – a record number of participants
were in attendance. Between the 6 Race
Classes, 79 airplanes and 130 participants from all over the world made their
way to Stead to practice, to qualify to have fun.
“We are beyond excited to have hosted a
record number of planes and participants at this year’s Pylon Racing Seminar,
Mike Crowell, President and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association said. “Not
only is PRS an opportunity for new pilots to get a feel for the course and
understand safety guidelines, it is also a chance for returning pilots to train
for September. It was a great few days for the Reno Air Racing Association and
we are looking forward to this year’s National Championship Air Races.”
There are only two periods per year when racers are able to
fly on the course –during PRS and during Race Week. So, PRS doesn’t just attract
new racers, but returning pilots and veterans who want to have a little fun or
knock the rust off their skills.
Each Class spends part of the time in a General Session learning
about NCAR and the Reno Air Races. Then they split up into their specific Classes
and learn the specific operations for their group – basically Ground School. The
final 2 segments of the training include specific Air Work, based on their Class’s
requirements. Then, they can finally get on the race course.
Specific skills are required for each different Class. For example,
if they have a ground start like the Biplanes and Formula Classes – they will
practice take-offs with a maximum 10 foot deviation in either direction. And to
ensure racers know how to get out of bad air on the pylons, they may be asked
to do aileron rolls – right and left. If they have an air start, they are
required to fly formation and simulate a typical join up and chute approach. And
most classes will have the attendees perform a simulated Mayday to show their understanding
of their aircraft and the flight characteristics during an emergency.
Something else which is relatively new is the ability for a
racer to come to PRS and go through the General Sessions, the Ground School and
hold the Air Work for September. This works great for people coming from
further away – where flying across the country twice would be quite difficult. It opens up the field to pilots who have always
wanted to race, but couldn’t make both PRS and Race Week.
As expected, the Sport Class was the big winner with over 50
attendees, including rookies, returning racers who have not raced in the last 3
years - to recertify, veterans interested in practice or testing and instructors.
Even with all of the attendees, in disparate aircraft and skill levels – the Sport
Class worked like a well-oiled machine. Each session was planned out in advance
with the instructors, flight leaders and rookies mixing it up and getting it
done.
Over 20 participants in Formula 1 mark their best year ever.
This seems to be another Class getting renewed interest from the Sport Pilot community.
Philip Goforth and Jay Jones have been instrumental in locating pilots around
the country who own Formula 1 racing planes and talking them into joining the
movement. More on this Class in next month’s column – but for now – know that
they are on the move!
The T-6 Clubhouse was buzzing with happy pilots. Jerry
Thurman’s hangar has become the “Happy Place for the T-6 Class”. They do their
pre-flight and post-flight briefs in this facility and rarely venture too far
away. Some great new pilots have joined their #s including Chris LeFave and
active duty USN Aviator, Peter Stavrides. Congrats, gentlemen!
Also, Eric Woelbing was there in preparation for his sophomore
year. If his name sounds familiar, he is the proud owner of famous racing Sea
Furys, Miss Merced and Furias. But, he
will be racing his T-6 – Eddie Van Fossen’s old Miss TNT. I expect we will hear
much more from him and his racing team in the future.
Yes, you Unlimited Fans – there were Unlimiteds at PRS. In
fact, 2 new pilots were certified – Joel Swager and Bernie Vasquez. Joel flew
Argonaut while Stevo Hinton and Bernie shared Voodoo during the week, with
Bernie going for his certification and Stevo looking to get some telemetry on
the aerodynamic modifications they made prior to the 2015 season – but with
their engine not making the power they expected – they felt they never were
able to get clear numbers to justify the modifications. PRS is a perfect time
to do things like this.
Two other returning racers came back to take Ground School and
will finish up their recertification in September. John Maloney and Jim Thomas
will likely be flying John and Sue Paul’s P-51B, Boise Bee – and one of their
P-40s (likely Sneak Attack) in September. A Big THANK YOU to John, Jim, and the
Pauls for coming back!
Three Rookies were also in attendance for Ground School
only. Ira Saligman and Olivier Langeard will be flying Yaks in September and
Trevor Merton returned – but not sure what he will be flying yet.
Jay Consalvi attended PRS in 2010 in a Corsair. Since then,
he hasn’t raced, but has always been around Warbirds. He is a retired Naval
Aviator with time in both the F-14 and F-18. He is also the male lead in the
movie Speed and Angels – which was touted as the “Real Life Top Gun”.
Originally, Jay was looking to race Strega – but it looks
like Czech Mate may be his ride this year instead. Either way, he is a welcome
addition to the roster. With his name on the list, it looks like we will have
approximately 18 Unlimiteds in September. Great news for you Warbird Fans!
Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped out at PRS –
especially the photographers, race control and the TUG GUYS! The unsung heroes
of keeping us on schedule! And of course, Anthony Taylor and Warbird Fotos for
providing the amazing shots for this month.
There is more to come in the next few months. We will be
focusing on a few racers who have a great story to tell and will keep the fans up
to date with the exciting happenings in preparation for September.
Until then – Fly Low, Fly Fast and Turn Left!
Marilyn Dash
Pylon Place
Ruby Red Racing
Pylon Place
Ruby Red Racing
