WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO
The Reno Air Races and Air Show are held in the high desert about 10 miles northwest of downtown Reno, just off US395 in Stead, Nevada. The entire complex of over 5,000 acres (race course, pit and hangar areas, grandstands and concessions) is located on what started out as the Reno Army Air Base and is the current home to the Reno/Stead Airport, the Nevada Air National Guard, and a base for the Bureau of Land Management's fire suppression aircraft. It's probably enough to know that the military used Reno/Stead to train its pilots and other personnel in desert survival skills!
Here are some things you should know about the day to day:
- If you fly in commercially, you'll likely need to rent a vehicle that will do well in a desert environment or ensure you have access to transportation to and from the field and the pylons
- Should you fly in privately, in addition to arranging ground transportation for the week, you'll have to make arrangements at any of the other local airports as Stead (4SD) is closed to all traffic except for race/show/static participants
- There are many hotels/motels in Reno area but book early as "Race Week" is regarded as one of the busiest week for the hotels in the Reno area
- Camping sites are available subject to prior arrangements with our staff. Many folks spend the week in their RV's on the field (no hook ups)
- Practice and qualifying typically runs from Monday at 0700hrs to Wednesday 1200hrs. Heat racing runs from Wednesday 1200 thru Sunday at 1800hrs.
- As mentioned previously, come prepared for a range of weather conditions. CAVU conditions (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) and warm temperatures are common but winter can make its presence known overnight (2005 pilots reported scraping the inside of cockpit windows during the race!)
- Hydration is critical, regardless of weather. Each person should pack sufficient water, sports drinks, and the like as well as sufficient food to keep you going until you return to the pit/concession area around 1700hrs
- Lighter aircraft (Formula One, Bi-Plane) practice, qualify, and race in the morning hours as the thermals haven't had a chance to build, keeping the air relatively calm. Heavier aircraft go in the afternoon hours. If you are assigned to work the lighter aircraft pylons, you can expect to go to work right after each mornings briefing so come prepared!
- There are five distinct courses of pylons laid out at Stead. Courses range from 3.11 miles for the lighter aircraft up to the constant 3.5g rated 8.355 miles for the Jets and Unlimited classes. So, for example, if you're assigned to "Outer 6" (a Jet/Unlimited pylon), there'll be about 4 miles of desert (and one Sani-Kan) between you and "Show Center" and the "Home Pylon."
- Be prepared to identify and record aircraft numbers for each class on a particular pylon. Pen, paper, binoculars, scanners, are basic equipment on the pylons, even if you are only "visiting." Don't forget your camera! You'll have a chance to capture these aircraft from angles only professional photographers and media can enjoy, but only during practice sessions or when you are actually a visitor at a pylon. We discourage photographing aircraft while working at your pylon when aircraft are "on the clock" (qualifying) or during racing action, for reasons too obvious to mention.