Reno-Stead Airport

Reno, United States

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Airports

small airport

Reno-Stead Airport

Reno, United States

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KRTS

ICAO

5050 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Historic military airfield hosting world-famous air races.

Opened

1942

Location

Reno, United States

Reno-Stead Airport is a general aviation and military-heritage airfield located approximately 10 miles north of downtown Reno, Nevada. Originally established as Stead Air Force Base, it served the United States Air Force before being transferred to Washoe County and converted to civilian use. The airport is best known internationally as the site of the National Championship Air Races, held annually each September, drawing tens of thousands of spectators and competitors from around the world. The event features multiple racing classes including Unlimited, Jet, and Sport categories. Beyond air racing, KRTS supports general aviation operations, skydiving, and occasional military training activities. It lacks scheduled commercial airline service, functioning primarily as a reliever airport for the broader Reno-Tahoe metropolitan area.

Getting to & from

Ground access to Reno-Stead Airport is primarily by private vehicle or taxi, as no regular public transit service connects the airfield to downtown Reno.

Airlines here

No commercial airlines operate scheduled service at Reno-Stead Airport.

Notable facts

›Originally built as Stead Air Force Base during World War II.
›Home of the National Championship Air Races, the world's fastest motorsport event.
›The 2011 air race tragedy, in which a P-51 crashed into spectators, led to significant safety reforms.
›Elevation is approximately 5,046 feet above sea level.
›Operates under Washoe County jurisdiction as a public-use general aviation airport.

Official website Wikipedia

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Encyclopaedia

Reno Stead Airport is a large public and military general aviation airport located in the North Valleys area, 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. A former military installation until 1966, when it was known as Stead Air Force Base, in honor of 1st Lt. Croston Stead who died there during a training exercise in 1949. The airport's sole remaining military presence consists of an Army Aviation Support Facility and the 189th General Support Aviation Battalion of the Nevada Army National Guard, flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The airport is owned by the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a general aviation reliever airport.

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