Rick Vandam

Is currently employed by American Airlines as an A-320 Captain, with over 31,000 career flight hours. He started his flying career in the US Air Force and retired from the Nevada Air National Guard in 1996 with over 4000 hours in the F4 Phantom. In addition Rick has accumulated nearly 1000 hours in various Russian MiG fighter aircraft. Rick started with the National Championship Air Races in Race Control in 1983 and moved up to become both the “Air Boss” and Director of Operations for several years. Rick is one of the founders of both the Sport and Jet classes at the world-famous Reno National Championship Air Races. He currently serves on the Board of Directors in the Sport Class and as Vice President of the Jet Class, In the air Rick has enjoyed success in both classes with his best results as winner of the Jet Gold Championship in 2011 and 2012 as well as a winner of the Sport Bronze Final in 2011 and 2012 and runner up in the 2003 Jet Gold final.