Reno Air Races Addict Airshow Page
Welcome to the Air Race Addict's
Welcome Airshow Fans!
"Sooo.....", you're saying to yourself, "What happened to the Air Race Addict?" I am still alive and well and providing updates to the Air Race Addict's Homepage. I am just switching gears here to provide an insight to my varied interests that are still intertwined to the Air Races. Over the years, the guests at the Reno Air Races have been treated to some of the best, (if not THE BEST), airshow performers of all time. Their names include Bob Hoover, Leo Loudenslagger, Art Scholl, Wayne Handley, Patti Wagstaff, Sean Tucker, and many more. This page is where I will do my best to express my appreciation for the contribution and enjoyment that these people have given to the Air Races over the years. Maybe this page would be more appropriately named the Addict's Airshow Hall of Fame. It surely would not be nearly complete without talking about some of the several aerobatic teams that have performed over the years, Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Snowbirds, the Christen Eagles, Team America, Northern Lights, (fairly recent participants), and other smaller groups.
There have also been numerous flybys and flight demonstrations of some of the most awesome aircraft of the United States military. The most memorable of these would be the rare and exotic B-2 and the F-117 Stealth Aircraft. The SR-71 has made an appearance, and many more aircraft that will be mentioned as we go on. I know this page will regretfully be incomplete, but hopefully I will be able to represent the Airshow in a fashion that suits the Quality of Airshow that the Reno Air Race Association and United States military have, and will provide, hopefully for years to come.
For ease of navigation, I am going to break up this page into three sections, the first page will be to provide my spiel on individual performers, i.e. Bob Hoover, Art Scholl, etc. the next page will discuss teams, both civilian and military, and the last page will highlight the various aircraft that have come to Reno for flyby and demonstration flights, courtesy of the United States Military. I hope this will be as complete as possible to provide some idea as to the scope of the Airshow that is a big part of the Reno Air Races. So, here we go......
The Performers
Past and Present
Mr. R.A."Bob" Hoover
Without a doubt, Bob Hoover has provided the Reno Air Races with the most service as an Airshow performer and Shepherd of the Unlimited Racers. Bob has thrilled fans all over the world and this Addict for at least twenty years. I have been priveledged to see him in his P-51 "Ole' Yeller", the Shrike Commander, the Sabreliner, and the F-86 Sabre jet fighter of Korean War fame. He was a Rockwell International Representative for years and it is evident in his choice of aircraft. He has been sponsored by Evergreen International for the last fifteen years at least, but still flies those Rockwell Airplanes. He sold the Mustang a couple of years ago, after the stock aircraft was not able to keep up with most of the field for the start of the Unlimited Races. Actually, the start had been relegated to jet aircraft almost ten years ago, but Bob still flew as a spotter to aid stricken Racers. You can still see it 
at Reno though. The new owner brought it last year and raced it. As far as I know, it will be back for R2k. Bob won't be performing at Reno for R2k, (Reno 2000). As I understand it, Bob is taking a break and retiring the Shrike for induction into the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. He should reappear on the Airshow circuit with the Sabreliner, a twin engine business jet. He does some pretty impressive things with it that show just what a pilot's pilot can do with any Airplane. This is one pilot who has "The Right Stuff", and hopefully will be able to thrill crowds for some time to come.
Art Scholl,
"Aileron", and the Super Chipmunk
Art Scholl and the Super Chipmunk are still icons to the Airshow business. He gave one of the best demonstrations of how to have fun in an otherwise, serious business. He had a couple of partners, his wife, Judy, and another more conspicuous at Air Shows. One that spectators would see on the wingtip as Art would taxi past, after a performance. A cute, little, partner of the female, canine, persuasion. That would be Aileron. The people that were familiar with Art and his program will remember her, almost as well as her partner and pal, Art. It would not be unusual for the pair to fly together, even during the stunt routine!
Art was a member of the US Aerobatic Team for 9 years, and had been US National and International
Aerobatic Champion. His career would take him into command of nearly 200 types of aircraft, including racing, aerobatic, jets, and ultralights. He was also an accomplished movie pilot, helping in the filming of several feature movies, as well as television series. Among these were, "The Right Stuff", "The Great Waldo Pepper", and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". He also helped in the filming of "Baa Baa Blacksheep", "Fantasy Island", and "The Six Million Dollar Man". It was near the end of filming of "Top Gun", (also the day after the 1985 Reno Air Races), that Art went down off the coast of California. He was flying a Pitts biplane at the time. Other pilots will come and go, but there won't ever be another Art Scholl. So sad that another great pilot was gone. He has been missed by all that knew him, and by those who witnessed his skill and showmanship. His show was great and so was he.
Leo Loudenslager
(or, as lovingly referred to by some)
Leo Earloudenshplitenboomer
(No Disrespect Intended)
Another fallen hero of the skies, Leo Loudenslager was one of the most natural aerobatic pilots in the world. Leo was a seven-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion and 1980 World Champion. He learned aerobatics while serving in the military in T-34's. He was enshrined in the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 1982. He also was the first Aviator to receive the Victor Award for outstanding contribution to sports. A fine gentleman and certainly a person for youngsters to look up to. He flew the Bud Light 200, an aircraft that he personally modified
to his requirements from a Laser 200. The aircraft was very agile and had all the capabilities required of a current aerobatic Champion. He was, later in his career, involved
in performing in the Bud Light BD-5 Microjet. His performances always instilled a sense of awe and amazement by all who experienced his own style of aerobatics. I personally enjoyed the thrilling loop with the inverted ribbon cut at the bottom of the loop. He always appeared to be no more than 15-20 feet above the ground at the time of the ribbon cut. It was very exciting to witness. Leo was another great showman and loved what he did. Not many people are so lucky. However, his luck didn't run out while dancing across the skies of the world. He was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in June of 1997, and succumbed to his injuries a month later, in July. An unfortunate fate for one who gave, and had so much more to give to his fans and the world of aerobatics and the business of Airshows. He has been missed at Reno, but won't be soon-forgotten by those who had the honor to see his show.
Wayne Handley
The Flatspin King
Wayne Handley has been performing at the Reno National Championship Air Races, (and Airshow), for many years. Wayne's a former U.S. Naval Aviator, (of course, ahem), and a 3 time California Unlimited arobatic Champion. Unfortunately, he is another performer who will be amongst the missing in the Airshow arena. But, on the other hand, he is still amongst the living. Last year, Wayne was involved in an accident while performing at an airshow. He pancaked the Raven onto the runway and decreased his overall physical height by an inch or two, I have heard. You can learn more about Wayne and the Raven's evolution by clicking here-->> Wayne Handley
At the 1999 Air Races, Wayne brought the Raven with a turboprop attached to the front end. Talk about a performing little aircraft! He did one particular maneuver that I have never witnessed before, and may never witness again. (I have heard some talk about Jimmy Franklin's turbinoprop powered Waco, but that remains to be seen, and apparently will be this year). Wayne would pull the nose up to the vertical and the Raven would come to a hover, just like a helicopter! Then, even more amazing, he would then accelerate, (still vertical), and begin to climb again. Simply a great addition to his already amazing routine. The one staple maneuver that Wayne performed, (he holds the world record at 67 complete rotations!), was his climb to altitude and going into a flat spin. Wayne would hold that spin, seemingly forever. I really loved that part of his performance, and you could see it from anywhere in the "bowl". (That is a term that my fellow Addict and friend "FED EX Bob" and others from the past, coined for the RARA property. It sits in a great big bowl). Hence, "Keep 'er in the bowl" has great significance at Reno. Wayne's program will be missed, but hopefully he will come to visit the Air Races.
"Lefty" Gardner, "White Lightnin"
A Synonym For Sure
Not enough can be said here, about the contribution to the Reno National Championship Air Races by the team of Lefty Gardner and White Lightnin'. The beautiful P-38L Lightning was a fixture of the Airshow at Reno for many years, as well as a perennial favorite of the crowd in the Unlimited Races as Race #13. Not a contender for the Championship under normal circumstances, this team was always a threat in the Silver and Bronze races. Lefty flew one of the best lines of all the racers, as far as I am concerned. He came closer to the pylons on a consistent basis than anyone else. He always flew fast and low. It's hard to imagine the Air Races and Airshow without this team.
With a background and active business in agricultural spraying, Lefty is used to flying on the edge on a daily basis. Not sure if he still actively flies the
fields, but that is where he gained his skills. The performance that Lefty gave with the P-38 showed the graceful lines, the power, and the maneuverability of this
aircraft, probably as recognizable as it's famous WWII brother, the P-51. I think that as one of the few flying P-38's left flying in the world today, it's sad that RARA doesn't have the time or money, to bring these two back to Reno. The Air Races still attract alot of seasoned citizens that remember the P-38 and what it represents to them. I would be happy to just see the old bird fly a short routine, without racing it. The pair haven't been back for a few years now, and I miss them. Lefty hasn't even brought his Mustang, "Thunderbird", Race #25, back to race. That aircraft was very competitive in the Silver Class for a number of years, and won the Gold Race back in 1976. So even Race 25 is historically significant to the Reno National Championship Air Races and underlines Lefty's contribution to the sport. I wish they would come back.
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The Performers, Page 2
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