Hayward Air Rally Announces Event & Scholarships

March 30, 2016 - The Hayward Air Rally, the longest continually-held proficiency flying event in North America,  is celebrating its 52nd anniversary in 2016, moving 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 always been a single day of flying and competition. The exception was the 2014 50th anniversary flight to Oshkosh, which took three days. The Air Rally gives aviators a chance to test their flight planning, navigation, and 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 KRTS. The two legs are KHWD to Redding, California (KRDD) and then KRDD to 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 June 23-25. All types of aircraft are eligible.

In addition, the Hayward Air Rally Committee has selected two teenagers to receive fully paid scholarships including tuition and roundtrip airfare to EAA’s Advanced Air Academy summer 2016 program.

In partnership with local chapters of EAA, the Hayward Air Rally has announced the winners of the scholarships as David Serate of Reno, a student at The Davidson Academy, and Aum Kalia of Redding, a junior at University Preparatory School.

"With the generous support of the City of Hayward, our industry partners and sponsors, and participating Rally pilots and crew, we are pleased to continue our scholarship program this year and offer this opportunity to these outstanding youth at two of the airports to be visited on the Rally," said Chris Verbil of the Hayward Air Rally Committee. "As part of our nonprofit mission, it is important to help seed the next generation of aerospace industry professionals, aircraft pilots, and aviation enthusiasts."