Stead
Airport, Reno, NV. – The most beautiful, pristine and historical aircraft have
graced the east 
end of Reno-Stead Airport for the last 16 years as contestants
in the annual National Aviation Heritage Invitational. The Invitational is held
in conjunction with the National Championship Air Races and 2014 promises to be
another tremendous year for the vintage aircraft competition.
The
Invitational gives aircraft owners and restorers the opportunity to bring their
skillfully restored aircraft to the high desert of northern Nevada and compete
for the prestigious Neil A. Armstrong
Aviation Heritage Trophy.
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| 2012 Unveiling of the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy Photo by Tad Hetu |
“We are gearing up for another outstanding event,” said Ken Perich, Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. “We are thrilled to be working closely with the Pathways to Aviation Foundation and to playing a significant role in the National Championship Air Races non-racing events.”
Thousands
of hours of labor and dedication to the smallest details by the aircraft owners
and restorers come to fruition at the Invitational. The fully restored aircraft
are a wonderful sight to behold. The Invitational has been called the nation’s
premiere traveling aviation museum. Admission to view the Invitational is open
to anyone attending the Reno Air Races.
Throughout race week spectators can take a walk through aviation history
as they view a wide array of beautifully restored airplanes –living testaments
to our rich aviation history.
The National Aviation Heritage 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 four categories:
~Antique – includes all eligible civil
aircraft flying in 1945 and earlier. The
winning aircraft will be awarded the Orville and Wilber Wright trophy;
~Classic
– includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in years 1946 to 1968. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Paul
E. Garber trophy.
~Warbird
– includes all eligible military aircraft flying prior to 1968. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Henry
“Hap” Arnold trophy.
~Large
Aircraft -includes all eligible aircraft, flying prior to 1968, both civil
and military with wingspans of 45 feet or more. The winning aircraft will be
awarded the Howard Hughes trophy.
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 Saturday, September 14 at
5:00 p.m. National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinees, R.A. ‘Bob’ Hoover, Hoot Gibson, Herb
Kelleher, Dick Rutan and Bud Anderson will assist in presenting awards on the
morning of September 14.
“We
are grateful and pleased to welcome back Presenting Sponsor, Perform Air,” said
Perich. Perform Air is joined by Air &
Space Smithsonian magazine, Pathways to
Aviation Foundation, Air Transport World,
ISTAT Foundation and Historic Flight Foundation in their dedication to
the preservation of aviation history as our 2014 trophy sponsors.
Southwest Airlines joins us this year as a
supporter along with; the Reno Air Racing Association, Smithsonian National Air
and Space Museum, Airmail Greetings, The Perich Group and LiveAirShow TV.
Website: www.heritagetrophy.org
*The National Aviation
Heritage Invitational is a Limited Liability Company
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