Bi-planes, war machines and sport aircraft from days-gone-by will soar over the deserts of Nevada this fall, part of the 10th National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) taking place at the Reno National Championship Air Races, September 12-16 in Reno, NV. Rolls-Royce, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Reno Air Racing Foundation, and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum partnered to found the NAHI a decade ago, and have renewed their support every year.

Prior to the event in September, aviation enthusiasts will have a chance to see previous NAHI winners at the EAA AirVenture, July 23-27 in Osh Kosh, WI. The Best of the Best Invitational, will feature six previous overall winners competing for the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s People’s Choice award at EAA.

NAHI’s mission is to encourage the preservation of aviation history through the restoration of vintage aircraft to original flying condition. Participants compete in three categories: Antique, for civilian designed aircraft manufactured in 1935 or earlier; Classic, for civilian aircraft manufactured after 1935 and before 1960; and Warbird, for military aircraft at least 45 years old in original, or restored to original condition.

Each aircraft is judged on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft earlier in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer's condition is the "gold standard" for each plane. A five-member panel, including representatives from the National Air and Space Museum, serve as judges.

Last year was a record year for the National Aviation Heritage Invitational with over 25 historic aircraft in attendance. Entries included a 1942 Curtiss P-40K, a 1939 Lockheed 12A, former Heritage Trophy Winner, a 1950 AS 6 Fairy Firefly and 2006 winner, a 1918 Curtiss JN-4H. 2007 has all the ingredients for being another record setting year.

The overall winner receives a ‘keeper’ version of the Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy which is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Entry applications, details on eligibility and judging criteria are available at www.heritagetrophy.org. For further invitational and registration information, contact Invitational Director, Lorraine Rodman 703-621-2774 (lorraine.rodman@rolls-royce.com) or Invitational Coordinator, Alan Mangels (alan.mangels@rolls-royce.com or Anami Karim (703-621-2837).

Notes:

1. The event is a joint effort under the partnership of Rolls-Royce North America Inc., the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Reno Air Racing Foundation and was established in 1998.
2. Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets – civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy and is a major industry player in North America. The company employs some 7,300 people at more than 64 US locations in 26 states and eight sites in six Canadian provinces.
3. Headquartered outside of Washington, D.C., in Chantilly, Virginia, Rolls-Royce North America provides management direction and corporate support for all Rolls-Royce businesses and operations in the region. Chantilly is also the global headquarters for the company’s Corporate & Regional Aircraft business.