After a few days of qualifying runs, the Reno Air Races are now officially underway.
The first race started at noon today at the Reno-Stead Airport.
This year's changes aren't very noticeable from a fan's perspective but there are some safety changes.
And that is what everyone here says is most important. "I am certainly hoping for an extremely safe year. I always go into Reno praying for nobody to get hurt, and of course I'm one of them. So, I'm hoping I don't get hurt but I don't want to see any of my friends get injured, get hurt in the air races."
Pilots like Robert 'Hoot' Gibson are noticing some of this year's changes.
The race course is farther north and the pilons have been moved in to make the final turn coming toward the grandstand much softer.
Pilots tell us some of the other turns are tighter though and that adds more G-forces in some areas.
There is also a lower altitude maximum - so planes can't fly above 250 feet, as well as a concrete barrier between the fans and the race.
Both are supposed to lessen the amount of debris that can travel in case another crash happens.
Organizers say everyone they've talked to is glad to be back in Reno.
"They've been the source of the encouragement to keep moving forward and they're real happy because we've succeeded and we're here," says Mike Houghton, President and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association.
The first full day of racing is tomorrow and they will have a tribute at 11:30am -- paying their respects to the victims and the first responders of last year's plane crash.
For a schedule and ticket information go to http://airrace.org/
Written by Paul Nelson
