Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame

Declaration of Enshrinement

 October 14, 2011

William M. Stead

William M. (Bill) Stead brought a national air race to Nevada in 1962 when he decided to resurrect the National Air Race and chose Sky Ranch Airport. Having adequate room for safe, high-performance flight, he worked with the local business community for sponsorships and persuaded the FAA to lift its ban so that the Reno events could go forward.  For the 1964 schedule, he organized multiple races, national aerobatics and balloon championships, skydiving competition and performance of the US Air Force Thunderbirds.  He also arranged for ABC TV to cover the races, where a reported 80,000 people attended the first air show.  After the 1965 races at the Sky Ranch Airport, races moved to the US Air Force’s Stead Field when it closed, providing the Reno Air Races with hangars, ramps and hard surface runways.  The National Champion Air Races have continued there every year since then, except 2001.

For his contributions in the field of racing and for founding the National Champion Air Races in Reno, Nevada. William M. (Bill) Stead earned his place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.

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TD BARNES, Executive Director

Aerospace Hall of Fame