Wing (Advanced), concurrent with the relocation of the USAF Helicopter Pilot School to Stead. In 1960 and 1962, astronauts were trained in desert survival by the 3637th Combat Crew Training Squadron and then helicoptered to a location near the Carson Sink for further training. In 1964 the Reno Stead Airport was operated by the Ag Aviation Academy, which was then based in Minden Nevada, South of Reno. By 1966, the AG Aviation Academy moved totally up to Stead. In 1967 Robert E. Schricker retired from a 27-year career as a fighter pilot for the USAF and became Chief Pilot for the AG Academy. The academy taught all types of flying courses and ground schools, including helicopter and multi engine courses. Actress and race pilot, Susan Oliver, got her multi engine pilot license there in 1968. Chief Pilot Schricker left the AG Academy in 1969 to open his own flight school, Reno's Executive Air, at the main Reno Airport. In the 1960s Bill Lear, Lear Aviation, founder of the Lear Jet, also set up operations at the Stead Airport. Since 1964, it has been home to the National Championship Air Races, also known as the Reno Air Races, held every September. It was the launch site of "Earthwinds" balloon system in the early 1990s, which attempted and failed multiple times to circumnavigate the globe. Facilities and aircraft Reno/Stead Airport covers an area of 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) at an elevation of 5,050 feet (1,539 m) above mean sea level. It has two runways with asphalt surfaces: 14/32 is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 x 46 m) and 8/26 is 7,608 by 150 feet (2,319 x 46 m). For the 12-month period ending November 1, 2011, the airport had 71,000 aircraft operations, an average of 194 per day: 86% general aviation and 14% military. At that time there were 114 aircraft based at this airport: 75% single-engine, 11% military, 6% multi-engine, 6% jet, 1% glider, and 1% ultralight. See also Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) List of airports in Nevada Reno Air Races 2011 Reno Air Races crash References External links Reno-Stead Airport page at Reno/Tahoe International Airport web site Reno Air Racing Association from Nevada DOT Aerial image as of September 1999 from USGS The National Map Airports in Nevada Transportation in Reno, Nevada Buildings and structures in Reno, Nevada 1942 establishments in Nevada Airports established in 1942