I recently had the opportunity to attend the Eliminator Air Races event at Prado Airfield in Chino, California, and it was outstanding from start to finish. Contest Director Ben McBride ran a smooth, professional race that was both highly competitive and a lot of fun for pilots and spectators alike.
Eliminator Air Racing, which began in 2020, builds on the tradition of classic warbird racing while adding a drag-racing-style elimination format. Pilots must qualify using their best of three timed runs before advancing into elimination rounds. The indexed system with breakout rules rewards consistency and precision—not just raw speed.
The event features several classes, including Run What You Brought (RWYB), Warbird Silver, and Warbird Gold. The RWYB class is especially inviting for new racers, allowing pilots to compete with a wide variety of aircraft within a defined time window. The energy at Prado was high, the competition was tight, and the sportsmanship was excellent. If you are interested in racing, this is an event well worth checking out.
On the other end of the spectrum, I also had the chance to spend time with leaders in our Free Flight (FF) community: Associate Vice President (AVP) Roger Willis, Pat McMillan, Joe Jones, Ed Moore, and Cliff Fowler. Their experience ranges from just a few months in the hobby to nearly 80 years—a true testament to the depth of knowledge within District X.
Roger and several others host four-hour weekly building sessions where they teach every aspect of construction, trimming, and flying rubber-powered aircraft. These airplanes are spectacular in both craftsmanship and performance. The level of detail, patience, and understanding that is required to make them fly correctly—and not simply drift away—is impressive.
The FF group draws strong participation from the senior community around Oasis, California, near South Taibi Field in Perris, California, while also engaging youth through grandparents who are involved in the program. Many members are active in the National Free Flight Society, further strengthening the connection to the broader aviation community.
Experiencing both the high-speed intensity of Eliminator Air Racing and the precision artistry of FF has reminded me just how diverse and dynamic our district truly is. I look forward to attending more of their events in the near future.
Safe flying and safe landings.