Aberle and Phantom first in qualifying, heat

The tragedy at the National Championship Air Races on September 16 cancelled all competition from that point, but before the crash which killed a P-51 pilot and several spectators occurred, Tom Aberle was the fastest qualifier in the Sport Biplane class and won both heat races.

“The airplane was running in top shape, and we were prepared to have a fairly relaxed weekend,” Aberle said.

Aberle flies Phantom, which weighs 738 pounds and has a wingspan of approximately 20 feet. He test flew the 3.1-mile course September 11 and originally planned to qualify September 12.

“Monday would normally be m...