Reno Air Racing Association Championships in Roswell: An Unexpected Adventure ✈️
This past weekend was one for the books! I (Dean and Robert) had the chance to fly out to the Reno Air Racing Association Championships—this year held in Roswell, New Mexico—and it turned into a true aviation adventure.
The Journey In
Because the Roswell airport closes at 7:30 AM each morning before racing starts, Robert Greene and I decided to break up the trip. We took the Flying Eyes Optics Grumman Tiger to Hobbs, NM on Friday afternoon, spent the night there, and planned for an easy VFR hop into Roswell Saturday morning.
Well… plans changed. What should have been a 30-minute, clear-weather flight turned IFR when a low cloud deck rolled in. We ended up shooting an approach into Roswell—a little unexpected, but the layer was thin, and soon we were on the ground taxiing past rows of retired airliners awaiting storage or scrapping. It was a surreal sight!
First Impressions & Early Action
After parking, a shuttle ride, and a quick walk to the main gate, we were through security and heading to the grandstands. On the way, we greeted Jay Honeck and his wife Mary, who were volunteering at the pits entrance.
We grabbed breakfast and watched the Formula and Bi-Plane classes kick off the day’s racing—what a way to start the morning! Then came the STOL Drag racers, and the energy in the crowd was electric.
Weather Drama
Just as we stopped by the pits to chat with our friend Steve Henry, the sky opened up. A thunderstorm rolled in fast, forcing us (and a lot of other folks) to huddle under the event’s official merch tent. It poured hard for 30–40 minutes, complete with thunder and lightning.
Despite the downpour, the turnout was strong—by around 12:30, the place was buzzing with spectators wading through little rivers of rainwater, undeterred by the weather.
Time to Make a Break for It
Radar apps showed multiple lines of storms heading our way. With Robert’s handheld radio, we called the tower and learned GA departures were still allowed—for now. We quickly decided to head south, launching out of Roswell and diverting to Carlsbad, NM.
After grabbing lunch in Carlsbad and monitoring the radar, we watched the storms to the east start to fizzle. About 45 minutes later, the skies cleared enough for us to continue eastbound. Headwinds made it a 3-hour flight back to San Marcos, but thankfully it was smooth sailing.
Final Thoughts on Roswell’s First Races
I came away impressed. The Roswell Air Racing Association did an incredible job preparing the airport and organizing the event. Crowds were great despite the weather. My hope is that safety concerns are resolved so Sport and Unlimited classes can return next year—they’re thrilling to watch and would bring even more fans.
If you’re considering attending with your own plane, Hobbs, NM is a fantastic base. Christian Aero LLC FBO offers friendly service, rental cars, and courtesy vehicles. It’s only 70 miles from Roswell by air, but a 2-hour drive—so hotels there are less likely to be booked solid.
All in all, this trip was an unexpected but wonderful experience. With a little luck (and better weather), Roswell could become a fantastic long-term home for the races. Here’s to their continued success—see you at the next championship!