Central Coast Air Fest Will Be New Home For Vintage Aircraft Competition

Steve Hinton, President of the Planes of Fame Air Museum, announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that the National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) vintage aircraft competition will move from Reno, Nevada, to make the Central Coast Air Fest at Santa Maria Airport (KSMX) in California its new home.

Hinton said, “NAHI will bring some of the finest restored aircraft in the country to our ramp and provide guests and sponsors a new and exciting element to our airshow.”

NAHI was founded in 1998 to honor the rich history of aviation by promoting the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition, and inspiring young people and students to pursue career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

Ken Perich, Executive Director of NAHI said, “We accomplish these goals by hosting a friendly annual vintage aircraft competition, where each aircraft is judged against restoration standards in line with those of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. We bring together rare vintage aircraft which have been meticulously restored to compete for the coveted Grand Champion Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy. The Armstrong Trophy resides throughout the year in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s Hazy Center.”

Ron Kaplan, Deputy Director of NAHI added, “Planes of Fame Air Museum is the ideal organization to host the National Aviation Heritage Invitational’s annual competition. The goals and mission statements of both organizations align perfectly.”

Robert “Hoot” Gibson, Astronaut, Air Racer, Hall of Fame Member, and NAHI Ambassador, said of the competition, “These vintage aircraft compete for the coveted Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy, which represents one of the highest honors an aircraft restorer can receive.”

The 2024 Central Coast Air Fest will be hosted by Planes of Fame on September 21-22 at KSMX and will have former NAHI winners and participants on the ramp as well as NAHI representatives. The full vintage aircraft competitions will begin in the fall of 2025.

FMI:  www.heritagetrophy.com/ , www.planesoffame.org/