2009 National Championship Air Races

One of the many perks of living in Reno is over-the-top events. Every September our family and 50,000 aviation fans celebrate the National Championship Air Races. This was a quiet year for our family. No guests. Usually we host a pack of retired Navy pilots from around the globe. We’ve had friends travel from as far away as the Philippines to join in the festivities.

The US Navy Blue Angels were the highlight of the weekend for Jack and Pete. Kate and I were partial to the purple planes.

Left to right from the top:

1. The awe-inspiring Blue Angels. “Woo-hoo Fly Navy!!!”
2. Jack with his Navy issue headphones
3. 50,000 die hard fans (photo taken from the cargo bay of a KC-10)
4. Rare Bear, a Grumman F8F Bearcat, won 2nd place in the Gold Unlimited Final, averaging 479 mph.