The Biplanes Class at Reno National Championship Air Races

The Biplanes Class at Reno National Championship Air Races

 What is the requirement for the Biplane Class?  Two sets of wings.  Some of the different types of Biplanes that race in the National Championship Air Races are, Pitts Special with different models such as S-1, S-1C, S-1S, S-1SS Ultimate, and LR-1. Then we have the  Ryer S-1,  Smith Mini, and Modified Mong Sport.  They fly 3.1761 miles in a closed ovoid course.  They start on the runway three abreast maximum with three rows  and a maximum of 8 planes.  These planes can reach 220 mph and above on a regular basis and race for 6 laps.    

#42 "The Other Woman" Pitts S-1C

#99 ""Ground Rush" Pitts S-1SS Ultimate

#77 "Rich's Brew" a Smith Mini

#62 "Phantom" Modified Mong Sport

The Biplanes Class have been part of the races since the beginning of the Reno National Championship Air Races in 1964.

I always wondered how long the Pitts Special have been around.  The first time I saw one was while I worked for Hughes Aviation Services in Las Vegas Nevada in 1974.  It was designed in 1943-44 by Curtis Pitts.  It first flew in September 1944.  Wow I had no idea this aircraft was that old.  In 1962 Pitts setup Pitts Enterprises  to market the S-1C for homebuilders.  There are 16 variants of the Pitts Special.  The most popular at Reno are the Pitts Specials  S-1 series.

If you decide which I hope you will, to attend the National Championship Air Races during September 12-16 2012, be sure to get a pit pass and go through the hanger with the Biplanes and talk to the pilots and crew.   Bye for now and I hope you have a better understanding of what the Biplane Class is.