The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has an all-new Flight Operations Team: Owen Ashurst, Air Boss; Bill Beaton, Mini Boss; and Tim Fitzgerald, Tower Chief.
The Flight Operations team oversees all aspects of flight at the STIHL National Championship Air Races, slated for Sept. 14-18, 2022.
In October 2021 Tony “Bear” Grady, former director of flight operations, resigned to pursue political interests.
In conjunction with the search for his replacement, the selection committee updated the team structure with a “clearer naming convention, chain of command, and a strategic back-up/succession plan,” officials noted.
All three of the new members of the flight operations team are long-time volunteers at Reno.
Former Performer Boss, Owen Ashurst, is a longtime RARA volunteer. As Air Boss he will be responsible for all aviation-related operations, including racing and the airshow.
With a love for aviation that was instilled in him from a very young age, Ashurst spent three years in the U.S. Army, stationed in South Korea and returned to pursue a degree in Air Traffic Control. While he spent 30 years in the corporate legal world, aviation was never far from his mind. He joined the Reno Air Races in 2003 as Pylon Judge. He quickly rose to Captain of Home Pylon and then Deputy Chief Pylon Judge. At the same time Ashurst also formed his own Air Boss company conducting airshows around the western U.S. It was with that experience that he was promoted to Performer Boss at Reno. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the Reno Air Races and more than 10 years as an FAA recognized Air Boss.
Bill Beaton, a self-described “serial volunteer,” will serve as Mini Boss. He has been working with the Reno Air Racing Association since 2013, in addition to volunteering with the Calgary Flying Club, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association.
He has raced at Reno in the Sport Class, served as Sport Class Officer, Class Flight Scheduler, Formation Flight Lead, Assistant Air Boss, Venue Developer, and Contest Committee Member. An accountant and certified management consultant by trade, Beaton brings more than 25 years of general aviation experience to his new role.
Tim Fitzgerald, a 40-year air traffic control veteran, joins the team as Tower Chief. Fitzgerald began his path in aviation at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University but was led to air traffic control by a friend. He has since held numerous positions within the FAA as an air traffic controller, spending much of his career at Chicago O’Hare Tower, the busiest tower in the FAA system. He worked his way through several positions including Controller, Supervisor, Plans and Procedures Specialist, Training Manager and Operations Manager.
Since his retirement in 2019 he has remained active in the aviation field serving as Air Boss at countless air shows. He continues to work temporary towers throughout the country, including the Masters Golf Tournament, Tampa Super Bowl, AOPA conventions, and the STIHL National Championship Air Races.