Air intake
Air intakes (below the engine) are modified - e.g. longer and aerodynamic shaped air intakes – to increase manifold pressure and thus engine power by approx. 3-5 hp. All air intakes have a screen to protect from foreign objects e.g. birds during flight.
Cameras
All race planes are equipped with cameras (face/helmet cameras and/or tail cameras). The signals are transmitted in real time to the TV broadcast centre as well as the intercom and radio signals.
Canopy
The canopies are small, lightweight bubble designs. The aerodynamic design varies from race plane to race plane to reduce drag.
Control surfaces & spades
The control surfaces (aileron/ elevator/ rudder) are relatively big in order to make them more effective and responsive, and therefore are also extremely sensitive to control. They are mainly aerodynamically balanced control surfaces. “Spades” are used to act as a ‘servo’ to reduce the stick forces around the longitudinal axis for the large ailerons. Some ailerons have small triangles instead of trim tabs – like the elevator – for improved controllability. The elevator and aileron is controlled via push-rods and the rudder via steel cable.
EFIS
All race planes are equipped with an Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS). This system displays various flight information to the race pilot such as speed, G-force, sector times and lap times as well as Race Director commands etc.
Engine
6-cylinder engines (Lycoming) are used in all race planes and they have a 6-in-1 exhaust system. Some planes have 540 cubic inch engines (approx. 8.8 litres) with up to approx. 350 hp. They all have fuel injection. All other components (e.g. oil cooler, hose kit system, external power receptacle, alternator etc.) are kept light weight. The engine compression is limited to a ratio of 10:1 by the sporting regulations. Other modifications are limited for safety and reliability.
Engine cowling
The engine cowling design can vary depending on the race plane and event. A good combination of less drag but still allowing enough cooling air for the engine is the key to making the race plane faster.
“Floor window”
Most race planes have “floor windows” in the fuselage to enable the pilot to see underneath the airplane for better 3-dimensional-situational awareness when flying.
Fuel system
The race planes have – like most aerobatic planes – an inverted fuel tank that allows them to be flown up to approximately 4 minutes in inverted flight.
Fuselage
The fuselages are specially designed steel tube frames with a carbon composite empennage structure (EDGE) or pure carbon fibre structure (MXS-R). The fairings are all light weight design.
Landing gear
All race planes have a fixed undercarriage with hydraulically actuated disc brakes. All race planes are tail draggers with a steerable tail wheel.
No flaps
Race planes do not have flaps for landing or flying slow. Therefore they are sometimes slipped sideways for approach to land for better visibility and for better control of the sink rate and descent.
Oil system
The engine oil system is constructed to operate under positive and negative G-Force without a specific time limit.
Pilot seat
The pilot seat is reclined backwards by approx. 20-30° and even up to approx. 40° in the MXS-R. The position of the rudder pedals together with the reclined seat allows the pilot lay back in the cockpit for better G-tolerance.
Propeller
3-blade constant speed propeller in various versions (manufacturers: Hartzell, USA & MT Propeller, GER) are used on all race planes. The manufacturers try to build light weight but sturdy and very thrust-efficient propellers. These modifications are very important for better performance in the race track especially when it comes to accelerating from “slow and tight corners” around the Air Gates.
Seat belts
All race planes have a 5-point seat belt system plus a ratchet system, which makes it a 7-point system overall, to tighten the lap belts very tight. The systems have a quick release system for unstrapping. This becomes important in case of an emergency bailout.
Smoke system
The race planes have light weight smoke systems. They inject natural, harmless paraffin wax into the hot exhaust gases from the engine. These exhaust gases display the aircrafts flight path.
Survival equipment
All pilots wear special helmets some with a visor, fireproof resistant flight suits, flying gloves, flying boots and parachutes. The canopy can be jettisoned for a bailout if needed. Over water pilots additionally wear a water survival vest that can be activated to inflate if needed after a bailout over water. Additionally the aircrafts are equipped with an oxygen bottle and an oxygen mask. The pilot can activate the bottle and use it in case of a ditching situation in the water. Additionally a helicopter, speed boats with rescue divers and a flight surgeon are on standby during every flying session of a Red Bull Air Race. The race pilots undergo additional water survival training including underwater roll over training.
Wing
Only symmetric wing designs are used. The wings are tapered to the end to reduce drag. The thickness of the wings is reduced from the root to the wingtips to reduce drag. The wings are made of carbon fibre as are the ailerons.
Winglets
“Winglets” can be mounted to wing tips. They reduce the lift induced drag at the tips and produce slightly more lift at slower speeds. The design of these winglets is very important to increase their efficiency.
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