NAHI: CALL TO ENTRY VINTAGE AIRCRAFT OWNERS

Contact: Connie Pardew
Communications Manager
Tel: (775) 530-2297
Connie.Pardew@HeritageInvitational.org
www.heritagetrophy.org

March 16, 2009

CALL TO ENTRY
VINTAGE AIRCRAFT OWNERS:
SHARE YOUR TESTAMENT TO HISTORY

Reno, NV– Come share your own piece of aviation history with us at the National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) at the Reno National Championship Air Races, September 16-20, 2009 at Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada.

“On behalf of the sponsors, supporters and dedicated volunteers of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, I would like to invite the owners and restorers of our nation’s vintage aircraft to showcase your restoration at our annual competition held during the Reno Air Races in September. The Invitational is open to aircraft 45 years or older and restored to airworthy condition,” said Ken Perich, Executive Director of NAHI.

Dubbed the ‘Traveling Museum of Aviation’, the Invitational brings the bygone age of aviation back to life with the prestigious vintage, classic and warbird aircraft competition. Thousands of aviation enthusiasts come to ‘take a walk through aviation history’ while attending the Reno National Championship Air Races.

Qualified vintage and classic aircraft owners and restorers vie for the celebrated Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy. The National Aviation Heritage Invitational recognizes and honors the dedication and efforts of owners and restorers of our aviation history.

The competition is open to aircraft at least 45 years old, which have been restored to original condition or a condition in which they were used at least 45 years ago. The aircraft are scored on their historical accuracy by a distinguished staff of judges. There are three classes to the competition: Antique (Orville and Wilbur Wright Trophy), Classic (Paul E. Garber Trophy) and Warbird (Henry "Hap" Arnold Trophy).

Sponsored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the People’s Choice Award trophy is bestowed to the owner of the aircraft receiving the largest number of votes cast by event attendees.

Awarded to the best over-all aircraft, the Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy stands over six-feet tall and is adorned with a detailed plaque recognizing past winners. 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 overall winner is presented with a keeper trophy.

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’.

NAHI is a joint effort under the auspices of Rolls-Royce North America Inc., the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Reno Air Racing Foundation with support from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. NAHI welcomes PilotMAG, GAMA, The American Icon Foundation and LiveAirShowTV as new supporters for 2009.

They join the current supporters including: Air Transport World, Speed News, Air & Space Smithsonian and Airmail Greetings who share in the in the commitment of honoring our nation’s aviation heritage.

The National Aviation Heritage Invitational invites you to be a part of this important event and to share with spectators your piece of history.

APPLY NOW TO BE A PART OF HONORING AVIATION HISTORY!

For judging criteria and to submit an application please visit
www.heritagetrophy.org or contact Marsha Pike at 775-852-9307 or email
mpike@gbis.com

For more information on NAHI please contact:

Connie Pardew
Communications Manager - NAHI
775-530-2297
Email: Connie.Pardew@HeritageInvitational.org

Ginny Person, Manager Corporate Communications
Rolls-Royce North America
703-795-2997
Email: ginny.person@rolls-royce.com

####