Pilot Proficiency

The Art of Air Racing

Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 10:18 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) is a highly structured and disciplined training program at the Reno-Stead Airport designed to certify pilots for the Sport Class in competitive air racing.
The rigorous curriculum emphasizes precise formation flying, adherence to strict safety protocols, extensive briefings, and practice of high-speed, low-altitude maneuvers around race pylons.
The author recounts their challenging personal journey through the seminar, from initial formation training to their first solo flights around the course, ultimately achieving a Sport Class race license alongside a record number of other rookie pilots.

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Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.