The application process has opened for the National Aviation Heritage Invitational’s 21st year showcasing rare, restored aircraft at the Reno Air Races.
The competition for the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy will be held Sept. 14-18, 2022, during the Reno National Championship Air Races.
“The vintage aircraft competition, which was founded in 1998, has two primary goals: To encourage the preservation of our rich aviation history by encouraging the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition and to help inspire our nation’s youth to pursue careers within the aviation and aerospace industry,” said Ken Perich, NAHI executive director.
To enter, aircraft must be restored to airworthy condition and be manufactured at least 45 years ago.
A panel of judges reviews aircraft against standards in line with those of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, including authenticity, quality of workmanship, attention to detail, and technical merit.
Aircraft can be entered to compete in one of the five judging categories:
- 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 from 1946 to 1956. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Paul E. Garber trophy.
- Contemporary includes all eligible civil aircraft manufactured from 1957 to 1977. The winning aircraft will be awarded the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Trophy.
- Military includes all eligible military aircraft manufactured in 1977 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 1977 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 Award trophy is awarded to the owner of the aircraft receiving the largest number of votes cast by those attending the event.
For details on eligibility, judging criteria, and to complete the entry application, go to HeritageTrophy.com. Applications must be submitted online no later than Aug. 26, 2022.