Program Adding Large Aircraft Category In Its 12th Year
The National Aviation Heritage Invitational, LLC, held in
conjunction with the National Championship Air Races, gives
aircraft owners and restorers the opportunity to bring their
brilliantly restored aircraft to the high desert of northern
Nevada. There they compete for the prestigious Rolls-Royce Aviation
Heritage Trophy.
Established in 1998, the event has been called the nation's
premiere traveling aviation museum. Admission to view the
Invitational is open to anyone attending the Reno Air Races.
Throughout race week spectators can take a walk through aviation
history as they view a wide array of beautifully restored airplanes
including a 1941 Lockheed L-18, a 1937 Spartan Executive, a 1944
SNJ-5C, a Douglas A-26, along with many other living testaments to
our rich aviation history.
The Invitational competition encourages the preservation and
restoration of historic aircraft to airworthy condition and to the
very highest standards of workmanship and historical accuracy.
Participants compete in four categories, Antique (early aircraft
pre-1935), Classic (post 1935), Warbird and Large Aircraft and are
judged by a five-member panel including representatives from the
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
Each aircraft is judged on its technical merit and how well it
represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to
the original manufacturer's condition is the "gold standard" for
each plane.
2010 will mark the first year for the Large Aircraft Category -
open to both civil and military aircraft 45 years old or older with
wingspans greater than 45 feet. These aircraft can be single or
multi-engine and must be restored to airworthy condition.
Sponsored by Air Transport World, the Large Aircraft trophy will be
named the Howard Hughes Trophy.
"We are delighted to be here in our 12th year to celebrate and
honor the beautiful aircraft and the tireless dedication of the
owners and restorers," said Ken Perich, Executive Director of the
National Aviation Heritage Invitational. "We are excited to
be adding the new Large Aircraft Category this year."
When not on display at the Invitational, the striking six-foot tall
Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy resides at the Smithsonian
Institution's National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
Center near Washington Dulles International Airport, where the
winning aircraft owner's name and the name of the restoration
facility is engraved on a plaque placed on the trophy. The overall
winner is presented with a keeper trophy.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame's 'People's Choice' trophy is
awarded to the owner of the aircraft which receives the most votes
from the public reviewing the aircraft during the Invitational.
Voting ends September 18 at 1700.