posted 09-12-2001 02:13 PM               

"We are currently standing by to hear if the Federal Aviation Administration will in fact lift restrictions on civil air traffic as anticipated. We will post information here as soon as it is available. We are still preparing to continue qualifying aircraft today, with the Air Races and Air Show running on schedule Thursday through Sunday."

posted 09-12-2001 03:22 PM               

According to the latest CNN announcment,09/12/01 6:10pm, there will be NO flights schedule today and possibly tomorrow until a "proper" security plan is in place at ALL airports. My question is if you heard anything from Reno concerning refunds for tickets to the various "clubs", parking, admission and dinners?

posted 09-12-2001 03:42 PM               

1515 hrs PDT Wednesday 12 Sept 2001

Due to the flight restrictions in effect since Tuesday 11 September suspending flight operations at Reno Stead Field, the usual criteria for placing aircraft into race heats based on their qualifying times will not be used this year.

Instead, each racing class (Biplane, Formula One, T-6, Unlimited, and Jet) will separately establish criteria for race pairings.

Class officers and members are meeting to formalize the criteria for the respective classes. Race pairings based on these criteria are expected to be available late in the afternoon of Wednesday 12 Sept. They will be published on the 2001 Results page when available.

1345 hrs PDT Wednesday 12 Sept 2001

Bill Eck, Chairman of the Board of the Reno Air Racing Association has announced that the Department of Defense and FAA have not yet released the national airspace to civil flight operations. The Reno Air Racing Association has been in contact with government representatives and local FAA officials in order to expedite as much as possible our ability to hold the Races later this week.

Eck indicated that "loosening" of the flight restrictions had already begun, and that further improvement was expected by Thursday morning.

Representatives from each of the classes racing this year at Reno are currently meeting with RARA to determine the most expeditious way to complete qualifying and begin racing as soon as possible.

posted 09-12-2001 03:54 PM               

"Our participants, fans, and especially the Astronauts have all asked us to not allow this cowardly terrorist attack to impact our event. We have elected to move forward as scheduled."

If it all possible I'm sure they will all be there.

Michael

posted 09-12-2001 04:22 PM               

I just found out this morning that I'm losing my job on Friday. Our company is getting bought out by a larger one, and they originally told us that we were ok in the Seattle office, but now I find out that they are closing our office since it costs too much.
Wonderful timing that they decide to let us all go, the day after the end of the world....

posted 09-12-2001 08:18 PM            

I second Robert's comments too. After I lost my position I moved to bigger and better things.

All the best to you,

posted 09-12-2001 08:30 PM               

My thoughts are with you on the loss of your job. Thats terrible.

As far as Reno its all so up in the air. From an Air Race standpoint, its looking pretty iffy it'll actually go. I also wouldnt hold out any hope of a refund even if they do cancel it. An astronauts listmember was trying to ask someone in the tickets office an unrelated question and the lady there jumped down her throat and cut her off and told her "Let me cut you off RIGHT NOW and tell you under NO circumstances will there be ANY refunds". Now if the whole races are shut down that may be a different story.

From a personal standpoint, Im still stranded in Houston and only by the gracious assistance from a fellow collector locally safely tucked into a Motel near JSC (which has been shut down by the way). The flight situation is iffy at best, and even though I have a re-booked reservation for Friday I am not confident they flights will be operable then either. If they are not, then it looks like I may need to rent a car to get home. And of course, this is predicate on the races even getting on.

Again, this is frustrating but my problems cerrtainly pale in comparison. I have a lot to be thankful for, no doubt about it. I wasnt on one of the 4 flights, nor near any of the carnage like some here. Im in a room, and getting my meals.

My best to all.

posted 09-13-2001 11:16 AM               

Flying at Reno Stead Field is still suspended. We will resume as soon as possible, and will post updates here.

----

Reno seems to be wavering whether the Races will proceed. I'll post the latest when its known.

posted 09-13-2001 12:31 PM               

1515 09/13/01

I just spoke with Susan who is coordinating the astronaut dinner. The dinner has been cancelled, refunds will be mail as soon as possible.

posted 09-13-2001 04:06 PM               

Geez....what a sad week this has become.

posted 09-13-2001 04:17 PM               

I hope everyone gets some kind of monetary reimbursement.

posted 09-15-2001 11:41 AM               

NO AUTOGRAPHS ALLOWED - please respect the astronauts wishes by not asking for any.