The National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) will hold its 20th annual vintage aircraft competition at the 2021 Reno Air Races.
The application process is now open for the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy.
The vintage aircraft competition, which was founded in 1998, has two primary goals: To encourage the preservation of aviation history by encouraging the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition, and to help inspire our nation’s youth to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industry, according to officials.
To enter, aircraft must be manufactured at least 45 years ago and restored to airworthy condition. For the 2021 competition, that means aircraft must be manufactured in 1976 or before.
A panel of judges will review participating aircraft against standards in line with those of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. This includes authenticity, quality of workmanship, attention to detail, and technical merit, officials explain.
Aircraft can be entered to compete in one of the five judging categories: Antique, Classic, Contemporary, Military, and Large Aircraft.
Antique includes all eligible civil aircraft manufactured in 1945 and earlier. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Orville and Wilber Wright trophy.
Classic includes all eligible civil aircraft manufactured in years 1946 to 1956. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Paul E. Garber trophy.
Contemporary includes all eligible civil aircraft manufactured between 1956 to 1976. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Trophy.
Military includes all eligible military aircraft manufactured in 1976 and before. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Henry “Hap” Arnold trophy.
Large Aircraft includes all eligible aircraft, both civil and military, manufactured in 1976 and before with wingspans of 45 feet or more. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Herb Kelleher trophy.
The overall winning aircraft is awarded the Grand Champion 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 at Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia. The winning aircraft owner’s name and the name of the restoration facility is engraved on a plaque placed on the perpetual 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 Air & Space Smithsonian magazine, is awarded to the owner of the aircraft receiving the largest number of votes cast by people attending the Reno Air Races.
For details on eligibility, judging criteria, and to complete the entry application are online at HeritageTrophy.com. Applications must be submitted no later than Aug. 15, 2021.