What would it take to get Formula V air races started again?
Jul 5, 2017 18:39:49 GMT -6
JoeB likes this
Post by jvliet on Jul 5, 2017 18:39:49 GMT -6
There were a total of 39 Formula V closed-course pylon air races held from 1977 through 1999.
An FAA Certificate of Waiver is required to conduct a closed-course pylon air race in the USA. The Certificate of Waiver is issued by the local FAA FSDO and is under the jurisdiction of an FAA Inspector from the local FSDO. The requestor for a Certificate of Waiver must submit a written application for the Certificate of Waiver to the local FDSO at least 90 days prior to the date of the event. FAA headquarters in Washington DC issues a Handbook for field FSDO Inspectors to provide guidance as to whether or not a Certificate of Waiver should be issued to the requestor.
Starting in the mid-1980’s and through the early 2000’s the Handbook for Inspectors (FAA 8440.5A and later 8900.1) contained air race course layouts for Formula V, Formula 1 and Unlimited air race classes, along with instructions for designing a suitable race course based on the top speed of the racing class.
More recently, the latest editions of the FAA Handbook for Inspectors have eliminated all the air race course layouts and design instructions. In its place, this handbook contains letters of authorization for specific FAA-recognized organizations to conduct air races. The latest edition on the FAA website contains letters of authorization for the following organizations: 1) the Reno Air Racing Association, and 2) Red Bull Air Racing. No other organizations are currently permitted to conduct closed-course air racing events in the USA.
Therefore, as I see it there are two necessary steps to get started in resuming FV pylon air races…
1) Form a new FV organization, with traceability back to the original FV organization.
2) Representatives of the new FV organization would then contact the FAA in Washington to request that the new FV organization be issued a letter of authorization to conduct closed-course air racing events.
Ed has the exactly correct approach in trying to start the Supervee racing organization. I urge everyone to support Ed, especially aircraft owners and pilots, and to participate in Ed’s cross-country Supervee races. By doing so you will be building a new core group of Supervee leaders and supporters who will work together and see this through. I am willing to assist Ed by transferring copies of all the FV documents, including technical rules, procedural rules, race course layouts and pilot training materials to the new FV organization. It would greatly strengthen this new organization to enlist the aid of several of the veteran FV race pilots, who would become the senior pilots to conduct race pilot training for new FV air race pilots. My guess is that at least six or more aircraft & pilots and a core group of 25 or more people would be necessary to form a viable organization in the FAA’s eyes.
With these items in place, the new organization would then visit the FAA offices in Washington DC to request recognition by the FAA. Any shortcomings in the FAA’s viewpoint would need to be addressed in order to achieve the FAA’s blessing and receive the Letter of Authorization.
As for my own involvement, I am willing to assist the new FV organization in getting set up, and I am willing to travel to Washington DC to accompany several other representatives of the new FV organization to present our case. I am also willing to assist the new FV organization in writing and submitting the initial application for Certificate of Waiver for the first new FV event. However, I will not be an officer of the new organization, nor will I be the ‘responsible person’ named on the Certificate of Waiver, and I will not be attending or participating at the new FV events. This is a 'next generation' organization and it needs to be led by the next generation of participants.
An FAA Certificate of Waiver is required to conduct a closed-course pylon air race in the USA. The Certificate of Waiver is issued by the local FAA FSDO and is under the jurisdiction of an FAA Inspector from the local FSDO. The requestor for a Certificate of Waiver must submit a written application for the Certificate of Waiver to the local FDSO at least 90 days prior to the date of the event. FAA headquarters in Washington DC issues a Handbook for field FSDO Inspectors to provide guidance as to whether or not a Certificate of Waiver should be issued to the requestor.
Starting in the mid-1980’s and through the early 2000’s the Handbook for Inspectors (FAA 8440.5A and later 8900.1) contained air race course layouts for Formula V, Formula 1 and Unlimited air race classes, along with instructions for designing a suitable race course based on the top speed of the racing class.
More recently, the latest editions of the FAA Handbook for Inspectors have eliminated all the air race course layouts and design instructions. In its place, this handbook contains letters of authorization for specific FAA-recognized organizations to conduct air races. The latest edition on the FAA website contains letters of authorization for the following organizations: 1) the Reno Air Racing Association, and 2) Red Bull Air Racing. No other organizations are currently permitted to conduct closed-course air racing events in the USA.
Therefore, as I see it there are two necessary steps to get started in resuming FV pylon air races…
1) Form a new FV organization, with traceability back to the original FV organization.
2) Representatives of the new FV organization would then contact the FAA in Washington to request that the new FV organization be issued a letter of authorization to conduct closed-course air racing events.
Ed has the exactly correct approach in trying to start the Supervee racing organization. I urge everyone to support Ed, especially aircraft owners and pilots, and to participate in Ed’s cross-country Supervee races. By doing so you will be building a new core group of Supervee leaders and supporters who will work together and see this through. I am willing to assist Ed by transferring copies of all the FV documents, including technical rules, procedural rules, race course layouts and pilot training materials to the new FV organization. It would greatly strengthen this new organization to enlist the aid of several of the veteran FV race pilots, who would become the senior pilots to conduct race pilot training for new FV air race pilots. My guess is that at least six or more aircraft & pilots and a core group of 25 or more people would be necessary to form a viable organization in the FAA’s eyes.
With these items in place, the new organization would then visit the FAA offices in Washington DC to request recognition by the FAA. Any shortcomings in the FAA’s viewpoint would need to be addressed in order to achieve the FAA’s blessing and receive the Letter of Authorization.
As for my own involvement, I am willing to assist the new FV organization in getting set up, and I am willing to travel to Washington DC to accompany several other representatives of the new FV organization to present our case. I am also willing to assist the new FV organization in writing and submitting the initial application for Certificate of Waiver for the first new FV event. However, I will not be an officer of the new organization, nor will I be the ‘responsible person’ named on the Certificate of Waiver, and I will not be attending or participating at the new FV events. This is a 'next generation' organization and it needs to be led by the next generation of participants.
