Why are there no Reno reports on the Information Exchange???

[51fixer]

How many viper powered jets did they stop racing?

So as someone who has absolutely no knowledge of the jet classes, what are "viper" powered jets and why would they be banned? Too fast?

L-29 with a British Viper engine installed.
I don't know what the saftey concern is.

[Mike]

The safety concern is that the engine mounts were failing. Heather Penney had this happen at PRS, and the jet eflux came close to melting the tail off before she could get it down. Turns out the guy doing the conversions was also reported to be the tech inspector for the jet class at Reno, so was effectively signing off his own work.

I believe that there were also some concerns about the additional thrust (close to twice the original) pushing the airframes to their design speed, and possible resulting controlability/mach tuck issues on the course.

[51fixer]

I have never been to Reno but I would think a true warbird person would not be impressed with the planes being flown like that and the engines being trashed so often. I am sure many warbirds have been destroyed in racing but I am sure that some are still around because of it. If you are looking for ramp reports it looks like wap and aafo have things covered.

I don't know what a True Warbird Person is.
Ed Maloney, Steve Hinton, Stevo Hinton, John Maloney, John Hinton, Jim Maloney, Lefty Gardner, Nelson Ezell, Lloyd Nolen, Howard Pardue, God this list could go on forever, sound like True Warbird People and all were very involved with the sport.
In the 30s Air Racing was used to develop fuels, engines and various accessories like electric boost pumps. These manufacturers sponsored racers as well. Some hard core technology was transfered to the warbirds that were developed during WWII. I want to say it was Art Chester, who was a racer, formed a company that made Spinners for Mustangs in WWII. Some of the engineers and designers involved with racing went to work for aircraft manufacturers.
Racing is a managed risk. These pilots are very good at what they do. Looking in and judging through our own experiences really doesn't do justice to how good they are in that environment.
While I realize many wouldn't want to change a current warbird into a racer, many of the real racers are built from just parts, some which were pulled out of a junk pile, and wouldn't be a flying airplane if it wasn't for Reno. Most going back nearly 15 - 20 years ago.
A couple racers have morphed back into restored warbirds so it isn't a forever proposition.
And there is the fun factor combined with an outlet for creative and can do people That get together once a year.
I would venture that a number of people that became warbird pilots and owners were 1st exposed to Warbirds at Reno or other Air Races.

[corsair166b]

Wow, where's the 'LIKE' button?! Great way to put it....if those folks aren't 'true' warbird folks, then there are none....and I'm priviledged to say I know a few of them. I'm a warbird person/fan/aficianado and I am FASCINATED by what happens at Reno every year. Always will be. If some want to take the "Well...it's a RACER so it's not a WARBIRD!" attitude, fine with me....last I knew RareBear was still an F8F, September Pops was still a SeaFury, and the P-40B turning the pylons is still a P-40B.

Mark

[mivey]

FYI - There is an iPhone app for the air races that give almost live updates on results. Buddy of mine made it and it is free.

[JDK]

Air Races ITP LLC?

[mivey]

The app for the Air Races is the one that says "powered by Infotech"

[K5DH]

For those of me who can't be there in person are any of the TV networks going to broadcast the racing action?

[Brad]

This is the first time I've missed Reno in many years. I wanted to go but the chance to engineer "FIFI" was to of a deal to pass up! Fortunately, facebook and phone calls from friends on the ground there are keeping me in the loop!

[Ztex]

For those of me who can't be there in person are any of the TV networks going to broadcast the racing action?

I havn't seen Reno on TV since WW of Sports used to broadcast some highlights...

You can watch the web cast...

http://www.airrace.org/video.php

[ZRX61]

A couple racers have morphed back into restored warbirds so it isn't a forever proposition.

Stiletto -> Ragun Cajun -> Diamondback.

Parts of Stiletto in my garage someplace & others screwed to the wall at a local bar..

[mdwflyer]

Live feed:
http://loadedtv.com/?page_id=6


http://www.warbirdaeropress.com/
http://www.aafo.com

[51fixer]

A couple racers have morphed back into restored warbirds so it isn't a forever proposition.

Stiletto -> Ragun Cajun -> Diamondback.

Parts of Stiletto in my garage someplace & others screwed to the wall at a local bar..

Blind Mans Bluff in process.
Dago Red?

[Red Tail]

And there is/was serious talk of converting the Bologna Slicer back to a stocker.

[kenair]

Friday 6:30 pm dst Watching the live video feed at http://airrace.org/video.php.

something happended - chairs scattered, people milling around, firemen around?

Any news?
update -

Sad - plane crash reported http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Plane_Crash_Reported_at_Reno_Air_Races_129995508.html