Vintage airplane competition kicks-off with call for applications

Reno, Nevada – The 14th annual National Aviation Heritage Invitational kicked-off today with call for applications for vintage aircraft to compete for the acclaimed National Aviation Heritage trophy.

Due to the tragic accident last year at Reno, we cut the event short, however the judging had been completed and we awarded trophies to the 2011 winners on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Plans are currently underway for the 2012 National Championship Air Races September 12-16 at Stead Field.

We are committed to keeping our aviation history alive through the Invitational and we invite aircraft owners and restorers to participate in this prestigious event.

Since 1999 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.

Trophies are awarded in four categories - antique, classic, warbird defined as follows:
 Antique – includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in 1935 and earlier.  The winning aircraft will be awarded the Orville and Wilber Wright trophy;
 Classic – includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in years 1936 to 1965.  The winning aircraft will be awarded the Paul E. Garber trophy.
 Warbird – includes all eligible military aircraft flying prior to 1965.  The winning aircraft will be awarded the Henry “Hap” Arnold trophy.
 Large Aircraft -includes all eligible aircraft both civil and military with wingspans of 45 feet or more will be awarded the Howard Hughes trophy.

The overall winning aircraft is awarded the National 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 overall winner is presented with a keeper trophy.

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.

Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, sponsor the Invitational. The National Aviation Heritage Invitational is also supported by many other well-known names in the aviation industry.

Applications for entry in the 14th annual Invitational must be submitted online at: www.heritagetrophy.org no later than August 31, 2012.  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.  To be considered, aircraft must be of a type flying at least 45 years prior to the year of entry and may not be a participant in the Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show.

For details on eligibility, judging criteria and to obtain an entry application for the NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE INVITATIONAL please visit www.heritagetrophy.org
For further information please contact:

June Powers
Director – Participants
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 503-851-4337
Email: junepowers@heritagetrophy.org

Ken Perich
Executive Director
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 703-615-3018
Email: kenperich@heritagetrophy.org

Colin Powers
Chief Judge
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 503-851-4338
Email: chiefjudge@heritagetrophy.org

Connie May
Director - Communications
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 775-530-2297
Email: connie.pardew@heritagetrophy.org