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Reno’s “Rookie School” Prepares Air Racers for NCAR

Formation flying skills are essential for Reno race pilots. Marilyn Newton
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 24 new candidates recently completed the Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS), a required six-day program teaching safety rules and formation skills for the STIHL National Championship Air Races, with 80 pilots attending this year.
  • The STIHL National Championship Air Races will take place from September 15 to 19, returning after a 2020 cancellation, and will feature seven distinct race classes.
  • Beyond the races, spectators can expect impressive daily airshows, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the National Heritage Invitational displaying vintage aircraft.
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A total of 24 new candidates for the STIHL National Championship Air Races—the heart pumping annual competition at the Reno-Stead Airport in Nevada—recently completed the training required to participate in the races. The Pylon Racing Seminar is a six-day program that includes ground and flight instruction designed to teach the rules and procedures that make the races as safe as possible and fine tune the formation skills required to fly around the pylons close to several other airplanes.

“Seeing new racers discover the love of head-to-head racing, mastering their skill and doing it all with our incredible veteran instructors makes for a fun week,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association. The PRS training is required for rookie racers before they can compete. It is also required for certified racers every three years. A total of 80 pilots, including rookies, certified racers and instructors, came to Stead in June for the course.

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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