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Reno Air Races CEO Mike Houghton Departs

Reno Air Races 2013 Flying
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Key Takeaways:

  • The National Championship Air Races are experiencing financial distress, largely due to operating costs quadrupling since the 2011 *Galloping Ghost* accident, driven primarily by insurance.
  • The Reno Air Race Association (RARA) ousted its long-time president and CEO, Mike Houghton, as part of a restructuring plan to address these challenges and ensure long-term sustainability.
  • RARA's board of directors will temporarily lead the organization, which recently concluded a successful emergency fundraiser, to keep the Reno Air Races tradition alive.
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The National Championship Air Races, the annual pylon race outside Reno, Nevada, continues to show distress as a result of the tragic Galloping Ghost accident in 2011. The Reno Air Race Association, which organizes the daredevil show, has ousted its long-time president and CEO Mike Houghton, who has led the organization for more than 15 years.

Houghton told the Reno Gazette-Journal that, while not a total shock, the action was “disappointing and devastating.” Rather than naming a new president and CEO in Houghton’s place, the organization will, at least for the time being, be lead by RARA’s board of directors.

Pia Bergqvist

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.

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