The U.S. Navy Blue Angels were at Stead for the first time since 2016 and performed in their FA-18 Super Hornets all three days, including Friday afternoon with winds gusting above 30.
When the National Air Racing Championship held its final race in 2023 at Reno/Stead Field (KRTS) in Nevada, the organization decided to hold one final show before moving to its new location in Roswell, New Mexico.
The Reno Air Show, which took place October 4-6, 2024, featured the Blue Angels and RCAF Snowbirds as headliners.
Officials from the Reno Air Racing Association emphasized “how rare it is for two premier jet teams to fly at the same show.”
“The 2024 Reno Air Show will be the only show in North America this year with the Blue Angels and Snowbirds,” they noted. “This is a truly unique airshow experience across the country and beyond. And with the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team in the mix, it’s shaping up to be a historic event worthy of our 60th celebration in Reno.”
The Blue Angels in formation.The Royal Canadian Air Force returned to Reno/Stead after a long hiatus and flew their CT-114 Tudors in Reno’s first ever Twilight Show on Friday at dusk.
Mix in the headliners with the beautiful weather, and the result was a “big crowd” for the air show, according to officials.
Lots of pistons, props, jets, warbirds, aerobatics and fun were there for everyone over three days.
Lockheed P-38J Lightning, Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and a North American P-51A formation fly over during the air show.
The Reno Air Races began at Sky Ranch Airport in 1964 and moved to the former Stead Air Force Base in 1966. In March 2023, the organization announced that the races must find a new location.
“Citing the region’s significant growth among other concerns, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority has made the decision to suspend the event,” officials said.
This led to a months-long search for a new home, which culminated in the decision to move the races to Roswell, New Mexico.
The first races will be held in Roswell on September 10-14, 2025.
For more information: RenoAirShow.org, AirRace.org
The US Navy Blue Angels performed on all three days of the show.Blue Angel 2 receives preparation and departure at sunrise.Jim Peitz returned for another performance in Reno with his +6/-3G rated 1986 Beechcraft F33C Bonanza.Bob Carlton continues his 30-plus year career in 2024 by starring in the Vertigo Airshows FoxJet twin-engine “glider.”Greg Anders in the former Unlimited Racer P-51D Mustang Val-Halla accompanies Capt. Taylor Heister in the USAF F-16 Prototype for Heritage Flight.Eric Tucker in a Piper J-3 Cub taxis down Runway 26 after successfully landing the ambulance, no easy task in the high desert winds.The North American AT-6 equipped Condor Squadron came to perform from Van Nuys, California.Vicky Benzing in P-51 Mustang P-51 Mustang “Plum Crazy” of Reno, which won the Unlimited Gold under Clay Lacy in 1970.Bill Stein flips off the top of the box in his purple-green Chameleon Edge 540.Dennis Sanders performed his Smokewinder show in the 18 cylinder Bristol Centaurus/5 blade Rotol fitted with a Hawker Sea Fury TMk-20 ‘924’ also known on the ramp as ‘The Queen’ after many years on the pylons.The Undaunted Airshows combine with smoke in a formation aerobatics performance — Stephen Christopher in the red RV-7 and Todd Rudberg in the orange RV-8.In the STOL Drag demo, Harry Beaupre in the #27 Kitfox edges ahead of Kevin Palmer in the #21 Kitfox after a stop and a 180° turn back to the start/finish line.Capt. Taylor “FEMA” Heister in a red, white and blue USAF F-16 gives it his all for the Wall of Fire, always a crowd favorite. (All photos by Bradley Orr)
By james art 
