RENO – Many area residents take trips to Reno, Nev., for outdoor recreation, a little time at the tables and slots, or just a change in scenery. If you are scheduling a trip for 2011, try saving one day in September to take in the final day of the National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno -?it’s a blast.

Six couples from the Peninsula made this trip to the air races, some of them to fulfill their “bucket list” card, some because of simple curiosity about it. But all enjoyed the trip.

This famous event features races with several classes of airframes including Unlimited, Jet (without afterburners), Super Sport, T-6, Formula One and Biplanes. Some of the most exciting are planes in the Unlimited class, which can include the P-51 Mustangs, German Folkewulf 190, Hawker Sea Fury, F4U-4 Corsair, P-40 War Warhawk, Grumman F8F Bearcat, F7F-3 Tigercat and the Russian Yak 3. Almost all of the planes in the Unlimited class are vintage World War II fighter planes that have been restored to immaculate condition. One of the mechanics told visitors from the Peninsula that it costs $180,000 to rebuild an air-cooled 12-cylinder Allison engine.

This is an air show of sound as well as speed; the thumping purr of the P-51s and their high-performance Allison engines is unmistakable as they charge by the grandstands at close to 500 mph and 500 feet off the deck. You are close to the action and the sound of these machines is music to the ears.

There is also plenty to see on the ground, close-up. At the Reno Stead Airport, planes are displayed to afford the observer close-up inspection of the A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog), F-15, V-22 Osprey, Attack helicopters and a C-130 Hercules transport. You can also meet and talk to many of the crew, vintage planes were also on display.

An F-18 Navy pilot said, “This basically belongs to the public. It’s the public’s aircraft, so for us to be able to come out and share it with you is great … all of us are pretty excited about what we do.”

The Canadian Snowbirds put on an outstanding 45-minute performance along with an F-18 Hornet, which stopped in mid-air (like a helicopter), made high-speed runs on the deck, vertical acceleration climbs and many maneuvers guaranteed to leave spectators gasping.

On Sunday afternoon, the wind picked up to over 35 mph, creating a safety issue for these low-flying performers.

A frightening moment came in Sunday’s Super Sport Gold Race when the pilot declared a Mayday. He made a hard landing and the wind caught the plane and cart-wheeled it off the runway, tearing off the engine and the tail section. George Giboney, the pilot, suffered lacerations to his head and legs but he walked away from the crash.

Prices are moderate at $42 a ticket in the reserved section with a price of $24 with the senior discount. Buses are available from most hotels for $19 roundtrip (recommended). For more information on the Reno Air Races, simply go to their website at (www.airrace.org).