Reno 2007 -- Sept. 16

Jason Somes, the surviving pilot of the Formula One mid-air collision Friday, which claimed the life of pilot Gary Hubler, was introduce to the crowd during Sunday's opening ceremonies.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 16

Kent Pietsch performed his crazy pilot routine to the delight of the crowd.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 16

The gold Jet Class race was dominated by this T-2B Buckeye which averaged over 500 mph.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 16

The largest transport aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, the C-17, paid a visit to Stead Field both Saturday and Sunday. The one is normally based at Hickam Air Force Base at Hawaii.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 16

The Unlimited Class Gold race was dominated by Race 77, the Rare Bear.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 15

One day after a mid-air collision took the life of one Formula One racer and inured another racing resumed with only a single Formula One heat race.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 15

In this Unlimited Class heat race, Cloud Dancer, a P-51 Mustang, flew in perfect formation with Big Bossman, an A-7 Tigercat. Cloud Dancer eventually won the heat race.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 15

Hang glider performer Dan Buchanan is buzzed by fellow performer Greg Poe.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 15

The U.S. Air Force Reserve jet dragster appears to be behind in a race with David Martin. The dragster did win the race very easily.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 15

The Heritage Flight was lead by an AD-1 Skyraider of the Vietnam era. At the bottom of the picture is Glacier Girl, a P-38 Lightning. At ther top is an F-16 Falcon. Trailing is an A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

The fourth race of the day, a Formula One heat race featuring the two fastest planes in the class began in a routine manner as Race 4, Alley Cat, an Owl OR71 flown by Jason Somes leads Race 95, Mariah, a Cassutt III M flown by veteran race pilot Gary Hubler towards the scatter pylon.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

Race 95, Mariah, a Cassutt III M flown by veteran race pilot Gary Hubler moments before the collision with Race 4, Alley Cat, an Owl OR71 flown by Jason Somes.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

Race 95, Mariah, a Cassutt III M flown by veteran race pilot Gary Hubler crashed near pylon one after colliding with the Formula One racer flown by Jason Somes.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

Race 4, Alley Cat, an Owl OR71 flown by Jason Somes came to rest along Runway 32 after colliding with the Formula One racer flown by Gary Hubler. Somes was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

Kent Pietsch landed his 1940 Interstate Cadet atop a rolling "aircraft carrier."

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flew today after air racing was suspended. Left is their traditional nine-plane formation.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 14

The opposing solos for the Snowbirds pass at show center.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 13

Racing came to an abrupt and deadly halt Thursday afternoon as Dino Juice - Race 4, an L-39 Albatros flown by Brad Morehouse, crashed just short of the home pylon during a Jet Class race. News reports indicate that the initial cause of the crash was believed to be wake turbulence. In other words, Race 4 was caught in the rough air trailing the plane flying directly in front of him. Race 4 was in the middle of the pack behind the initial leaders of the race. The heat of the blaze was felt at my vantage point about 250 yards away on the ramp in front of the grandstand.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 13

Emergency vehciles respond to the crash site.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 13

Emergency equipment knocks down the fire caused by the crash.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 13

Emergency equipment responds to the crash site just off of runway 8.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 13

A firefighter stands near the smoldering wreckage of Race 4.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

Has it really been a year. The National Championship Air Races are back at Reno. Left, a Pitts Special takes off for qualifications on Wednesday morning.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

The Rare Bear is back this year after blowing an engine in qualifications a year ago. She's under new ownership with a new paint job.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

There are all kinds of vehicles in use on the ramp. This one is unique.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

She's back. Two years ago Mary Dilda won the T-6 class Gold Race. She took last year off. But, the Two of Hearts is back at Reno looking for a win.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

They've created a new "unlimited" class within the Sport Class this year. All limits on the engine have been thrown out. Nemesis is expected to be one of the hotter planes competing.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

Testament to the fact that you are not done flying a Pitts Special until the engine is off and the plane is parked. This Pitts had just landed after racing and a gust of wind caused a ground loop. The pilot was not injured. The condition of the plane remains to be determined.

Reno 2007 -- Sept. 12

The Jet Class has been expanded this year to include planes other than L-39 trainers. Left is an L-29 trainer with a bigger, more powerful engine.