Please help us cover our legal fees!

Greetings Fellow Air Race Enthusiasts - The Professional Race Pilots Association (PRPA), on behalf of itself, Eric Zine, and Sam Swift, are soliciting donations to cover our legal fees incurred to secure the dismissal of a lawsuit regarding the 2022 Reno Championship Air Races (NCAR). Any support you can offer is sincerely appreciated.

As you may be aware, on or about March 1, 2023, the PRPA, Eric Zine, and Sam Swift were collectively sued regarding actions we took in support of the grounding of a pilot for unsafe flying during the biplane class races at the 2022 NCAR. We strenuously and steadfastly maintained that no wrong-doing warranting that lawsuit occurred.

After various preliminary efforts to resolve the matter (including preliminary motions and mediation), we’re very pleased to announce that the lawsuit has been dismissed. We feel vindicated and encouraged by this outcome and appreciate all the words of support offered to date.

While no money was exchanged and no other actions were promised in order to secure this dismissal, each side agreed to shoulder their own legal fees and expenses. Securing this dismissal, even at this early stage, was time-consuming and expensive (in excess of $55,000). For this reason, we have initiated this Go Fund Me to pay for our legal expenses.

We thank all those who have donated privately to date. In particular, our thanks to the Jet and Sport Class pilots for their donation in support of our legal expenses. That donation helped to keep our defense actively engaged.

Your donations will be going to the PRPA directly. The PRPA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation registered in the State of Nevada. As such, the PRPA anticipates that any donations made will be tax deductible. That said, the PRPA does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Any statements made are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before making any donation.

This experience has been a trying ordeal, but has shown the mettle, conviction, and dedication to the safe conduct of the sport of air racing by all those involved. We appreciate and thank the Biplane Class, the Reno Air Race Association, and Mr. Fred Telling for your faith. We look forward to the Biplane Class thriving and moving forward, stronger for all that has occurred and wish you all a safe future in airplane racing.