Air Race Pilots Say Altitude Rules at Reno Have Not Improved Safety

Some competitors and crew members in the final National Championship Air Race at Reno are upset over penalties for flying too high.

Jonathan Welsh

Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 10:07 AM ET

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A P-51 Mustang, part of the Unlimited Class, sits on the ramp at the 2021 National Championship Air Races at Reno, Nevada. [FLYING Magazine Archive]

Key Takeaways:

The final National Championship Air Race at Reno is marked by controversy as officials penalize Unlimited Class racers for flying above maximum altitude limits.
Pilots like John Maloney and Brent Hisey were penalized for exceeding FAA-mandated altitude regulations—instituted after a 2011 crash—resulting in them being moved to lower-tier races.
Competitors are highly critical of these altitude rules, viewing them as overly restrictive, inconsistently applied, and "political weapons" used to disadvantage racers.
Frustration among pilots and crew has led to discussions of a potential walkout, with the Reno Air Racing Association's contest committee meeting to address the penalties and objections.

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Excitement surrounding the last National Championship Air Race event held at Reno/Stead Airport (KRTS) continues to build as the Unlimited Class finals approach. Controversy also rose after officials penalized certain racers for flying too high.

During the last race on Saturday officials said John Maloney, pilot of the Yak-3U Miss Trinidad flew above the maximum allowed altitude on part of the course during the Unlimited Class Heat 3A. The resulting penalty is expected to place Maloney in Sunday’s Unlimited Silver Race instead of the Gold, according to members of Miss Trinidad’s crew.