The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Board has given a one-year special permit to the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) to hold the annual Reno National Championship Air Races, provided RARA obtains $100 million in insurance coverage, according to a report in the Reno Gazette-Journal. The permit also stipulates that RARA must pay any increase in insurance rates incurred by the authority for holding the races, which are scheduled for September 12-16 at Stead Airport.

Congratulations to Charlie Precourt, a member of the EAA board of directors, who was inducted into the prestigious U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 5. Precourt is best known for his 15 years at NASA, where he qualified as a space shuttle astronaut in 1991 and flew on four space shuttle missions, logging more than 932 hours in space.

If at first you don't succeed ... The Synergy aircraft project, looking to generate funding to proceed with its potentially game-changing aircraft design, has been approved by Kickstarter.com after initially being denied by the crowdfunding website. Kickstarter.com provides an effective way for creative people to generate grassroots funding efforts.

EAA's new DVD, TIG Welding: Chromoly, is a must-have for anyone planning on TIG welding a fuselage. Mr. TIG, Wyatt Swaim, does a fantastic job of explaining the TIG welding process, and more importantly, showing the viewer exactly what is happening during each phase.

Cessna Aircraft Company and Bombardier announced new jets on Monday at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE). For Cessna, the Longitude medium-sized, long-range business jet has room for up to eight passengers, a range of 4,000 nautical miles, and a maximum speed of Mach .86.

EAA joins the automotive and aviation communities paying tribute to icon Carroll Hall Shelby, who passed away in Dallas on Thursday, May 10, at the age of 89. An EAA member from 1988 to 2010, he was a frequent AirVenture attendee, signing autographs and participating in numerous activities including the Gathering of Eagles fundraiser.

EAA Chapter 18 in Milwaukee helped the Wisconsin National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing open its Armed Forces Week event last Saturday and Sunday (May 11-12) by conducting a large Young Eagles rally at Mitchell International Airport (MKE). Members of the chapter flew a total of 319 kids with about 15 volunteer aircraft and pilots each day.

Aircraft owners, operators, and the public have until June 8, 2012, to comment on the FAA's revised rules for the Block Aircraft Registration Request program. The BARR program allows aircraft owners to prevent real-time public access to flight information, which includes departure and destination airports, plus actual altitude, speed, and location of the aircraft.

Evelyn Bryan Johnson, who had more flight hours logged than any living female pilot in the world, died Thursday, May 10, in Jefferson City, Tennessee. She was 102 years old.

A district court judge in Virginia dismissed drunk driving charges against former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt on Thursday. The story was first reported in The Washington Post.

International Aerobatic Club (IAC) members seeking comprehensive, affordable aircraft insurance for their aerobatic aircraft now can obtain that specialized coverage from within their own organization, as the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan now includes policies for aerobatic pilots.

Savor the sights and sounds of aviation's 'Golden Age' at Pioneer Airport, which opens for the season this weekend, May 12-13, at EAA Oshkosh. More than 50 vintage airplanes are displayed in seven unique hangars that take visitors back to the 1920s and 1930s when the magic of flying astounded and charmed the whole world.

EAA and the Vintage Aircraft Association have been invited to be among the key groups participating in this month's 'General Aviation Safety: Climbing to the Next Level' conference at the National Transportation Safety Board headquarters in Washington, D.C.

U-Fuel reports it has completed the first installation of its 'Box' self-service aviation fuel station, at the Atlantic Aviation FBO on Charleston Executive Airport (JZI), South Carolina.

Many local airports have a 'hangar cat' that, along with serving as an airport mascot, helps keep aircraft-damaging mice at bay. Sullivan Field (27LL), a small, private airfield near St. Louis, is one of them.

Chad Jensen, EAA Homebuilders Community manager, joined other industry representatives for a pair of industry safety panels last week in the Washington, D.C., area. Panelists included Sandra McClure from the Baltimore FSDO and East Region FAAST team manager; Avemco President Jim Lauerman; David Kenny, statistician from AOPA; and local builder/FAAST team member Terry Bartley.

Would you like to hit the road with the EAA Ford Tri-Motor tour? EAA is looking for volunteers to commit to one-week stretches to help recreate the experience of 'barnstorming' with the 1929 'Tin Goose' as it tours several locations throughout the country. Couples are especially welcome to apply.

On Saturday, May 19, dozens of local events will turn dreams of flight into reality during the third annual International Learn to Fly Day, an aviation community-wide effort helping people of all ages take that first step to discover the fun and freedom of flight.

EAA members and pilots can still comment to EAA's petition for an exemption from pilot reimbursement restrictions when Young Eagles pilots receive free fuel while flying youth in the popular aviation education program.

The United States will host the NATO and G8 summits in two weeks, and two recently issued FAA flight advisories inform pilots that TFRs will be in place in those designated 'National Defense Airspace' areas. The G-8 Summit will be held at Camp David, Thurmont, Maryland, May 18-19, and the 25th NATO Summit will occur in Chicago May 19-21.