Reno Air Racing Association is not Unsafe

It amazes me how quickly people want to assign blame without all the facts.  I have heard some legal eagles want to sue Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) for unsafe practices.  I started attending the Air Races in 2009 as a spectator then 2010 and 2011 as the Media.  Safety is the focus of RARA.  The Media is required each and every morning to attend a safety brief to discuss the latest rules and regulations that pertain to us.  As the media we are allowed to get up close to the airplanes on the ramp and at the pylons.  This does not mean we can do as we please.  On the ramp is a aircraft starts its engine we are required to move two planes away immediately and if two or more engines start we have to get behind a no prop turn line, there are no exceptions.  If you violate this rule, your credentials are revoked and you are asked to leave and you will not be invited back...  At the pylons again we are briefed on what we can do and what not to do and you must obey those rules or pay the consequences.  During the jet and unlimited gold races, they declare the ramp sterile (everyone must be off the ramp period)  During 2010 on Sunday Gold Races, the T-6's and Unlimited did not fly due to winds being to high.  Safety was the factor for the pilots and planes.  Now this does not lead me to believe RARA was in anyway unsafe.  The terrible accident on September 16 was due to a mechanical failure which rendered the pilot by preliminary results unable to recover the aircraft which resulted in the aircraft crashing into the box seat area.  A lot of engineering went into calculating the most probable high hazard area is which is why the ramp is sterile for the jets and unlimited gold.  My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all who lost a loved one.  Let us not speculate on who is responsible and let the National Transportation Safety Board do there job in reviewing all the evidence and identifying the root cause and make recommendations based on that.  As far as RARA is concerned, they are dealing with this tragic event as they lost friends as well.  Reno Air Racing Association is a very safety conscious organization.

On September 16, 2011 a terrible tragedy struck the world famous Reno National Air Races at Stead Airport in Reno Nevada at approximately 4:30 P.M..  A world War 2 Fighter P-51D Galloping Ghost #177 was racing in the Gold heat race.  The pilot Jimmy Leeward was coming around number 8 pylon when something terribly wrong happened to the aircraft causing it ti pitch up and roll and nose into the ground.   Several people on the ground were injured and casualties resulted.  The NTSB is investigating and will release the cause when known.  The sport of Air Racing lost a gentleman and a friend and my thoughts a prayers go out to Jimmy's family as well as the victims of this terrible tragedy.  I will not post any images of Galloping Ghost racing before the accident.  Bye for now.

Well the first day of racing is coming to an end, Here are a few images to have fun with

Wow what a week so far, some awesome flying and supper airplanes.  Here are some fun pictyres of awesome aircraft of the fourties and now.  Enjoy

Precious metal P-51D with Counter Rotating props Quals 9/14/11 Reno

Formula one start 9/14/11

Formula one race #592 Reno 9/14/11

Pitts S-1S #9 Biplane race 9/14/11

Lady Jo TF-51D Reno Quals 9/14/11

Pitts S-1S #5 Biplane race 9/14/11

#99 Pitts S-1S Reno Biplanes race 9/14/11

Well folks the Reno Air Races started off with a 499.164 mph record by Strega (P-51D Mustang) followed closely by Voodoo (P-51D Mustang) and Rare Bear (F-8F Bearcat).  Quals are going to schedule and people are jocking for the best spot.  Here are some images for the day.  For you Canon people, I purchased a 2X III.  It worked great with my Canon 40D and the 70-200 IS USM II.

T-6 Baby Boomer

Hawker Sea Fury Furious

Rare Bear Bear Cat

T-28B Bear