Officials OK Reno air show plans; organizers to address safety issues

RENO -- Officials are moving ahead with plans for this year's National Championship Air Races despite a crash at September's event that killed 11 and injured more than 70, the chief of the Reno Air Races said Wednesday.

Association President Mike Houghton said it's "way too early" to say whether there will be changes to the format of the event scheduled for Sept. 12-16 at Reno-Stead Airport.

But he said the association is enlisting a panel of experts, including former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Jim Hall, to help ensure its safety.

"In short, we're moving ahead," Houghton told more than 100 supporters, who cheered the announcement at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. "We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to hold this historic event in 2012."

Race officials said they must secure several permits to make sure the competition happens. But as of now, tickets for the event are on sale.

The deadly crash at the 2011 races -- in which a modified World War II-era racing aircraft climbed, rolled and then plunged nose-first into spectators -- led to calls that officials consider ending the event, the only one of its kind in the country. The NTSB has scheduled a hearing Jan. 10 to examine the safety of air shows and air races.

The Reno group's directors said in a Dec. 28 letter on their website that they are "committed to preserving this unique and historic aviation event," which began four decades ago.

The board must secure licenses from the Federal Aviation Administration and Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. They also have to deal with insurance costs and $1.5 million in losses caused by the cancellation of the 2011 event.

Two lawsuits have been filed over the crash.