Muroya's golden-coloured Edge 540
LONDON, Great Britain - As he prepares to further refine his race technique in San Diego this weekend, Japan’s Yoshi Muroya has already put in place a targeted training programme to help him progress well in his first Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Flying a golden-coloured Edge 540, Muroya represents the land of the rising sun as race number 31.
Dedicated race training first began in the UK back in March when Muroya travelled to England to fly under the supervision of former race pilot Steve Jones ahead of the first race of the 2009 Championship. "It was perfect," said Muroya of his ten-day training session in the UK. "All day, every day flying. I was able to practice over the fields at low level every morning. I maybe flew eight hours which is good."
"It's very fast"
With British weather notoriously changeable, it seems Muroya was lucky with his timing. The location, in the west of the country, provided ample opportunity for the new race pilot to familiarise himself with the handling characteristics of the Edge 540. The only addition Muroya could have included would have been a set of pylons.
“It’s very fast,” admits Muroya when asked about flying the Edge 540. “I’ve been pulling lots of g and it is challenging to fly it but I’m happy with the progress for now.”
Erratic flying style
After a positive learning experience in the first round in Abu Dhabi last month, Muroya could be set for further improvement in the US round. His coach Jones certainly believes he has the potential to do well, despite some of the commentators branding Muroya’s flying style as erratic.
“Yoshi did some really good flying in Abu Dhabi, he just didn’t manage to get a penalty-free run. If he had done, which is easy to say, then he would have posted a very, very fast time. I have high hopes for him in San Diego,” says Jones, dismissing any negativity. “I even used the word erratic mysellf although I am wary of saying that word as it does tend to sound as though it is ‘uncontrolled’. Some of the pilots are more erratic than others though with their flying style. Every time you move up and down vertically it costs you some speed. The guys who fly really fast are those who maintain one level generally. That’s what I think most people mean by erratic.”
Muroya isn’t worried either and continues to maintain a calm and relaxed attitude. “Every flight is an improvement. I’ve gained more confidence with my flying and I believe that I can do much better here in San Diego.”
It's where the sun rises
Maybe the choice of gold rather than the more obvious red and white national colours of Japan, is an indication of where Muroya could end up in the future with a Championship title to his name, although he appears to have a very logical reason for his choice of paintscheme.
"I’ve chosen champagne as the colour for my Edge; a light gold. In Japan, it is where the sun rises so that is why we’ve gone for that colour. Many people choose red and white as the colours to represent Japan but we've tried to be more original.”
Taking part in the world’s fastest motorsport is a challenge that Muroya is ready for and having proven his skill in the aerobatic competition arena, as well as forging a strong presence displaying highly manoeuvrable planes for large audiences, he’s set for success. As the competition’s first ever pilot to represent Asia, Muroya also brings a further cultural dimension to the proceedings and despite already being well known for his flying in Japan, taking part in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship will thrust him further into the spotlight. As the country’s only top-level non-military pilot, Muroya could well become a national hero as he flies the flag for Japan in the Air Race.
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