RENO, Nevada — The 16th annual National Aviation Heritage Invitational kicked off today with a call for applications for vintage aircraft to compete for the acclaimed National Aviation Heritage trophy. The event is held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races. Sept 10-14.
Those interested can submit applications to HeritageTrophy.org
Since 1999 a panel of judges reviews participating aircraft against standard criteria developed by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum that includes authenticity, quality of workmanship, attention to detail and technical merit.
Trophies are awarded in four categories: Antique, classic, military and large aircraft:
➢ Antique – includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in 1945 and earlier. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Orville and Wilber Wright trophy;
➢ Classic – includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in 1946 or after. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Paul E. Garber trophy.
➢ Military – includes all eligible military aircraft flying prior to 1969. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Henry “Hap” Arnold trophy.
➢ Large Aircraft -includes all eligible aircraft both civil and military with wingspans of 45 feet or more. The winner will be awarded the Howard Hughes trophy.
The overall winning aircraft is awarded the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy. The trophy resides at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia 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 and each of the category winners are presented with a keeper trophy.
In addition, the People’s Choice trophy sponsored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame is awarded to the owner of the aircraft receiving the largest number of votes cast by the event attendees.
Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation sponsor the Invitational.
Applications for entry in the 16th annual Invitational must be submitted online no later than Aug. 31, 2014. Each aircraft may only be entered in one category, which must be declared on the application form.
No more than 40 aircraft will be selected. To be considered, aircraft must be of a type flying in 1969 (at least 45 years prior to the year of entry) and may not be a participant in the Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show.
For details on eligibility, judging criteria and to obtain an entry application, go to HeritageTrophy.org