The National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) is teaming up with the California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport in Sacramento, Calif., for the 2017 restored aircraft competition.
Dates for the 2017 event will be announced later this year, according to organizers.
The invitational was formerly held at the Reno Air Races.
“We are thrilled to partner with the California Capital Airshow,” said Ken Perich, executive director of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. “We share the same vision of fostering our aviation history and keeping it alive for future generations to come. It is a great fit all around.”
“The annual California Capital Airshow has always been more than the thrills of aircraft zooming overhead,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director. “This patriotic, non-profit event uses the power and magic of flight to honor our past and inspire the next generation in an exciting and unique way.”
“This partnership is a marriage of missions. Massive and historic Mather Airport provides endless space to grow for the annual NAHI competition and adding these valuable aviation treasures will be a meaningful added attraction to the event, which currently draws fans from across the nation and beyond,” Brewer added.
Conceived in 1999, the National Aviation Heritage Invitational has a panel of judges reviewing 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 five categories: Antique, classic, contemporary, military, and large aircraft. The overall winning aircraft is awarded the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy.
Additionally, the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s People’s Choice trophy is awarded to the owner of the aircraft receiving the largest number of votes cast by the event attendees.
For details on eligibility, judging criteria and to obtain an entry application go to HeritageTrophy.org. Officials said they will begin taking applications in January 2017.