Hayward Air Rally Announces 2016 Dates

The Air Rally announces this year's air rally dates and 2016 EAA Air Academy Summer Camp Scholarships. http://www.airrally.org/ Pilots, set this date aside, June 24, 2016 for departure to Reno Nevada Stead Airport (KRTS).

The Air Rally, sponsored and organized by the Hayward Air Rally, Inc., is celebrating its 52nd anniversary in 2016, departing from Hayward, California (KHWD) to a new destination: Reno Nevada Stead Airport (KRTS). Over the 51 year history of the Air Rally, the event has been a single day of flying and competition. The exception was the 2014 50th anniversary flight to Oshkosh, which took three days. The Hayward Air Rally gives aviators a chance to test their flight planning, navigational skills, pilotage skills and to have a fun day of flying. The Air Rally is an approximately 500-mile VFR cross-country challenge that is flown in two legs. This year the ultimate destination is Reno, Nevada, Stead Airport (KRTS). The two legs are Hayward, CA (KHWD) to Redding, CA (KRDD) and then Redding, CA (KRDD) to Stead/Reno, NV (KRTS).

The Air Rally It is NOT a speed event or a race. Scoring is determined by fuel management, time management and navigational skills. This year's Air Rally will be held on 23 June through 25 June 2016. All types of aircraft types are accepted including Light Sport Aircraft. On Thursday 23 June 2016 pilots and their aircraft will check in at the Hayward Airport between 12:00 and 16:00 hours. Aircraft are then fueled and impounded. After an aircraft is impounded and the pilot and crew have been checked in, they will be given a Rally Course POH. The Rally Course POH contains a detailed description of the Rally route and the procedures to follow while participating on the Rally course. With the Rally Course POH in hand, pilots and crews will then begin to plan their route including fuel and time.

The pilot may plan to fly any route so long as she or he finds the check points in order as described in the Rally Course POH. A mandatory flight briefing is also held at 16:00 hours on Thursday. All participants must attend. Each aircraft will have a GPS tracking device on board. Friday 24 June 2016 is the day of the Rally. At 08:00 hours pilots and crews have their pictures taken in front of each participating aircraft. Aircraft begin taking off one by one between 8:30 hours and 10:00 hours weather permitting. There are usually one to two minutes between departing aircraft. The Rally Course POH has detailed instructions on departure from Hayward.

The first leg of the Rally course ends at Redding, CA (KRDD) where fuel usage is measured by a calibrated fuel truck and a lunch break can be had if desired. Timing for the first leg is done over a fixed spot as described in the Rally Course POH a few miles before KRDD. The second leg finishes the Rally at Reno, Nevada, Stead Airport (KRTS) where fuel usage is again measured by a calibrated fuel truck.

Timing for the second leg, like the first leg, is done over a fixed spot as described in the Rally Course POH a few miles before KRTS. Saturday 25 June 2015 can be spent enjoying the greater Reno Tahoe area or just hanging out enjoying the local area. Early evening is the Air Rally banquet. Pilots, crews and guests are welcomed to an evening of great food, trophies, awards and door prizes. The Air Rally hotel this year is the Siena hotel in Reno.

The Siena hotel has a block of rooms set aside at special rates for The Rally participants. http://www.sienareno.com/ For most, Sunday is the trip home although some may stay to enjoy the Reno Tahoe area. Rally proceeds this year go to fund two EAA Air Academy Scholarships. The Scholarships are available to qualified applicants as defined on the Air Rally website. Click on http://www.airrally.org for more information and to download an entry form.

The Air Rally is operated by the Hayward Air Rally, Inc., a not-for-profit California public benefit corporation recognized under IRS 501(c)3. The federal tax-exempt identification number is 87-0789500. Donations of cash, products, and services in kind may be deductible as a charitable contribution - please consult your tax advisor.