Tom Aberle Tops His Own Best In The Biplane Category

There will be a lot of airplanes flying very fast this weekend at the Reno Air Races, but maybe none as fast as Tom Aberle in the biplane category.

Aberle broke his own record during qualifying on Tuesday, taking his modified Mong Sport bipe Phantom around the course at a speed of 284.454 miles per hour.

The Reno Journal-Gazette reports that the Fallbrook, CA pilot had set a new record last year as well with a lap at 274 miles per hour.

Racing has been underway at Reno since Wednesday, with the event concluding on Sunday at Reno-Stead airport in Nevada.

Held every September just north of Reno, the National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and generated more than $66 million for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations.

(2014 image from Phantom Air Racing Facebook page)

FMI: www.airrace.org