Reno, Nevada – The 12th annual National Aviation Heritage Invitational kicked-off today with a call for applications for vintage aircraft to compete for the acclaimed Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy, which is on prominent display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Udvar Hazy Center, Dulles, VA.

This year’s competition will be held in conjunction with the Reno National Champion Air Race in Reno, Nevada on September 15 – 19, 2010.

Trophies are awarded in three categories - antique, classic and warbird, defined as follows:

• Antique – includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in 1935 and earlier.  The winning aircraft will be awarded the Orville and Wilber Wright trophy;


• Classic – includes all eligible civil aircraft flying in years 1936 to 1965.  The winning aircraft will be awarded the Paul E. Garber trophy; and


• Warbird – includes all eligible military aircraft flying prior to 1965.  The winning aircraft will be awarded the Henry “Hap” Arnold trophy.

The overall winning aircraft is awarded the Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy and one aircraft will receive the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s People’s Choice Award based on popular vote.

A panel of judges reviews participating aircraft against standard criteria developed by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum that includes authenticity, quality of workmanship, attention to detail and technical merit. 

Rolls-Royce and its partners, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, sponsor the Invitationals.  The National Aviation Heritage Invitational is also supported by many other well known names in the aviation industry.

Applications for entry in the 12th annual Invitational must be submitted online at: www.heritagetrophy.org no later than August 20, 2010.  Each aircraft may only be entered in one category, which must be declared on the application form.  No more than 40 aircraft will be selected.  To be considered, aircraft must be of a type flying at least 45 years prior to the year of entry and may not be a participant in the Reno Air Races and Air Show.

For details on eligibility, judging criteria and to obtain an entry application for the National Aviation Heritage Invitational please visit www.heritagetrophy.org or contact:

For further information please contact:

Ken Perich
Executive Director
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 703-615-3018
Email: kenperich@heritagetrophy.org

Ms. Connie Pardew
Communications Manager
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 775-530-2297
Email: conniepardew@heritagetrophy.org

Colin Powers
Chief Judge
National Aviation Heritage Invitational
Tel: 503-851-4338
Email: chiefjudge@heritagetrophy.org