By Willie Albright

RENO, Nevada, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Amid a massive search effort to find missing aviator-adventurer Steve Fossett, three pilots have died in as many days at an unrelated aviation race competition about 80 miles (130 km) north of the search area.

That latest fatality came on Friday as an Idaho man piloting a Formula One aircraft collided with another racer at the Reno-Stead Airport during the Reno National Championship Air Races.

On Tuesday, a former Navy fighter pilot died during a practice flight after the engine on his biplane stalled. On Thursday, a Wyoming man was killed when his L-39 Albatross jet slammed into the ground and burned in front of horrified spectators.

"The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors and staff expresses its heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of the members of our pilot community who have lost their lives this week," organizers said on their Web site.

"We hope that their fellow race pilots, fans, and all of the attendees ... will find some small solace in sharing the joy of flight and the blessings of our aviation heritage."

There have been 18 fatalities in the 44-year history of the air races, of which three have occurred in the last four days.

Officials considered canceling the remainder of the competition scheduled to last through the weekend, but race director Michael Houghton said competing pilots convinced him the races should continue.

Directors of the search for Fossett earlier expressed concern the arriving racers would pose a hazard to the many volunteer pilots looking for the missing multimillionaire.

The Nevada Guard, Civil Air Patrol and volunteers have covered more than 20,000 sq miles (51,800 sq km) trying to find the man who was first to fly a balloon solo around the world in 2002. They have yet to find any sign of Fossett.

The Nevada National Guard has flown more than 274 flight hours and 75 Nevada Guard personnel are actively working the search.

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