The planes flown in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship are among the best and most modern race planes in the world. During a steep turn, both pilot and plane are subjected to forces which can reach as high as , meaning they are ten times their normal weight. Therefore these planes have to be extremely light and it is not just because of the high G-forces. Their light weight combined with a highly efficient steering system results in agility that normal aircraft, even modern fighter jets, cannot match. They also have a high power to weight ratio and the lowest drag possible.
High performance, outstanding manoeuvrability and speed make them the perfect machines for the Red Bull Air Race. Exceptional skill and experience are required in order to handle these aircraft. It is only when a Red Bull Air Race pilot gets into the cockpit that it is possible to see what these planes are really capable of.
Among the few aircraft that are suitable for racing, there are differences in engine power and flying performance that can have an important influence on the pilot’s chances of winning. Currently there are two different types of aircraft used in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship: the Edge 540 and the MXS-R.
Edge 540, Zivko Aeronautics, USA
Zivko Aeronautics of Oklahoma, USA had a mission to produce a plane that could perform precise standard manoeuvres at speed and leave ample creative room for professionals to develop new figures. The result is the Edge 540. The small one-seater airplane (a two-seater version is also available) is as precise and controllable as it is aggressive. The Edge is a ‘Shoulder Wing’ plane with extremely stiff wings. The use of a steel tube frame with composite fairings results in an extremely light, durable and stable fuselage. The Edge 540 has the highest aerobatic thrust to weight ratio of any competition aircraft.
| Characteristics | |
| Seats | 1 |
| Length | 6.30 m |
| Wing span | 7.43 m |
| Weight | 530 kg |
| Power | 340 hp |
| Top speed | 426 km/h |
| Roll rate | 420 °/sec |
| Max G | +/- 12 |
| Motor | AEIO 540 EXP |
| Wing design | Symmetric, carbon fibre |
| Propeller | Various propellers from Hartzell (USA) or MT-Propeller (GER) |
| No. aircraft | 45 |
| Pilots | Arch, Bonhomme, Chambliss, Dell, Dolderer, Goulian, Ivanoff, Mangold, McLeod, Muroya |
MXS-R, MXR Technologies, USA
The MXS-R (MX Aircraft) is a new breed of aircraft representing the latest in state of the art design and technology. The plane was designed using advanced computer solid modelling with emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency. The MXS-R stands alone in that it is constructed entirely of “Aerospace” grade carbon fibre which provides superior strength and durability never before seen in an aircraft of this type. The technologically advanced MXS-R is expected to set a new standard in overall aircraft design for the Red Bull Air Races.
(Watch the video about the MXS race plane)
| Characteristics | |
| Seats | 1 |
| Length | 6.28 m |
| Wing span | 7.31 m |
| Weight | 590 kg |
| Power | 350 hp |
| Top speed | 426 km/h |
| Roll rate | 450 °/sec |
| Max G | +/- 12 |
| Motor | AEIO 540 EXP |
| Wing design | Symmetric, carbon fibre |
| Propeller | Various propellers from Hartzell (USA) or MT-Propeller (GER) |
| No. aircraft | 5 planes (for the Red Bull Air Race), 6 more in production |
| Pilots | Lamb, Hall, Maclean, Rakhmanin, Besenyei |
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