58 MODEL AVIATION
by Jay Smith and Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull
Connection
The
Thrills with flying things
are what we’re all about!
This sums up the excitement of a Red Bull Air Race. Kirby Chambliss flies knife edge, smoke on, low over the water with a crowd of
people watching.
Right: The Red Bull control tower at
Windsor International Airport in
Ontario, Canada, clears the air race pilots
for takeoffs and landings.
RED BULL, an Austrian corporation, launched its energy drink
of the same name in 1987. Since then, the company has released
Red Bull Cola and has been deeply involved in extreme
sports.
In 2001, Red Bull began laying the groundwork for
what would become known in 2003 as the “Red Bull Air
Race”: an international series of full-scale aircraft
competitions in which the pilots would navigate a lowlevel
aerial track comprising air-filled pylons, or
“air gates.”
The fliers perform at speeds reaching 230
Above: A Canadian F-15, making a
“dirty” pass, maintains control at an
amazingly slow speed during a break in
the competition.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:11 AM Page 58
November 2009 59
A PT-17 Stearman leads two
de Havi l land Chipmunks
during one of several flybys
between races.
Nicolas Ivanoff of France with his Edge 540. As of this writing, he currently holds third
place in the series points standings.
Australian Matt Hall, flying his MXS-R, clips an air gate, ending his run. This was Matt’s
first year competing in the Red Bull Air Race.
The racecourse control tower is set up at
the edge of the Detroit River. Inside,
Matthias Dolderer’s ominous voice informs
pilots, “You are cleared to enter the track;
smoke on.”
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:12 AM Page 59
60 MODEL AVIATION
Have you ever wondered how such great
camera angles capturing the races are
broadcasted on TV? A helicopter flies
around the course, constantly filming each
pilot’s progress.
Support boats on the river carry divers
and a crew, to respond to situations
ranging from a downed air gate to an
aircraft in the water.
Hannes Arch has a great deal to smile about. He won the Red Bull Air Race World
Championship in 2008, in his second season as a competitor, and is only one point out of first
place so far this year.
Among the few full-scale aircraft that are suitable for racing
are differences in engine power and flying performance, which
can have an important influence on a pilot’s chances of winning.
There are currently two airplanes flown in the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship: the Edge 540 from Zivko Aeronautics in
Oklahoma and the MXS-R from MXR Technologies in North
Carolina.
Edge 540 Specifications
Length: 20.67 feet
Wingspan: 24.38 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,168 pounds
Power: 340 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 420°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Hannes Arch, Paul Bonhomme, Kirby Chambliss, Glen
Dell, Matthias Dolderer, Michael Goulian, Nicolas Ivanoff,
Mike Mangold, Pete McLeod, Yoshihide Muroya
MXS-R Specifications
Length: 20.6 feet
Wingspan: 23.98 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,301 pounds
Power: 350 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 450°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Nigel Lamb, Hall, Alejandro Maclean, Sergey
Rakhmanin, Peter Besenyei MA
Sources:
Zivko Aeronautics
www.zivko.com
MXR Technologies
http://mx2aircraft.com
Red Bull Air Race
Qualified Aircraft
Nigel Lamb pilots his
MXS-R.
An Edge 540 from Zivko
Aeronautics.
Photos by the authors
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:13 AM Page 60
November 2009 61
The top three finishers at Windsor (L-R): Hannes Arch, second;
Paul Bonhomme, first; and Kirby Chambliss, third.
Mike Mangold, a former Air Force pilot, was the Red Bull Air
Race World Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2007. His wife is also
involved in aviation; she is the Army’s first female helicopter
test pilot.
I had an opportunity to interview a few of the pilots who
competed in this year’s Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
When I caught up with Peter Besenyei of Hungary, he was
despondent. During the ferry flight from San Diego, California, to
Windsor, Ontario, an engine failure forced him to land his MXS-R
in a farmer’s field, slightly damaging it. As a result, Peter was
unable to compete.
I asked him what was going through his mind at the time of the
incident. He said that all he was thinking about was getting the
airplane down as safely as possible, without injuring someone or
himself.
I thanked Peter for his time, not wanting to push the wrong
button. In this type of racing, points are everything. I thanked him
(in Hungarian) and wished him well in the Budapest race.
I met Kirby Chambliss in 2001 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, while
he was involved in aerobatics. I’ve been one of his and Mike
Goulian’s followers ever since. I asked a number of the pilots for
their thoughts about the G-Race Suit, which helps protect them
from the debilitating forces they experience while flying in
competition.
BO: Kirby, what do you think of the new G-suit requirement?
KC:Well, Bill, as a pilot yourself, you know that safety is a
priority in this sport. You also know that any additional weight
will have an effect on the performance of the aircraft. I think the
answer is obvious, since we have been pushing the envelope in
pulling some high Gs.
BO: So what about the weight issue?
KC:With the 20-pound addition, we have to start looking at
where we can reduce weight in other areas safely, to try and
maintain the performance—not easy.
BO: Thanks, Kirby. Hopefully you will find a way, and good luck.
BO: Mike, how do you feel about the G-suit?
MG: Bill, for me it is a little uncomfortable; it’s 20 pounds extra
weight, and it gets a little hotter having to wear it. But if it makes
racing safer, it’s worth it.
BO:Mike, thanks for your time and have a safe race. MA
—Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull Air Race Winners at Windsor
1. Paul Bonhomme (Great Britain)
2. Hannes Arch (Austria)
3. Kirby Chambliss (US)
4. Mike Mangold (US)
5. Sergey Rakhmanin (Russia)
Red Bull Pilot Interviews
Mike Goulian is one
of three US pilots
competing in the
Red Bull races.
Kirby Chambl iss
finished third in the
Windsor, Ontario,
race.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:14 AM Page 61
mph, while withstanding forces of up to
12Gs. To further challenge the pilots, they
must fly between the 65-foot-tall air gates
in the correct position (either knife edge
or level), taking care not to touch the
pylons with their aircrafts’ wings.
Precision is crucial, because any mistakes
incur penalty seconds, which are added to
the pilot’s time. Pilots gain points at the
six series races that take place around the
world, with the hope of becoming the Red
Bull Air Race World Champion.
In 2009, the six race locations are Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; San Diego,
California; Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
Budapest, Hungary; Porto, Portugal; and
Barcelona, Spain. The last will be
contested in October.
The third race was held July 13-14 in
Ontario, on the Detroit River. MA was
given the opportunity to attend that stop in
the series, because Red Bull and the AMA
have a few things in common. Both
organizations are involved with aviation.
Both are interested in activities that
engage the younger generation.
It was hoped that the Academy’s 2009
membership drive, which ended
September 14, would encourage more
youngsters to get interested in
aeromodeling. Earlier this year, Red Bull
hosted a paper-airplane competition—
Paper Wings—at Ball State University in
Muncie, Indiana, as well as at several
other colleges throughout the United
States.
In addition, the Red Bull Air Race
competition is governed by the FAI, as are
the AMA’s members who compete in the
world model aviation arena.
This article’s photographs were taken
from both sides of the Detroit River. Bill
took his pictures from the Ontario side,
from which the event was held and the
aircraft were kept. Jay took his photos
from the Detroit, Michigan, side.
Therefore, you get a 360° view of this
amazing event.
There is much more to this story. Visit
the Red Bull Air Race Web site for further
information, videos, standings, and
program history. With the great initiative
and creativity that the AMA and Red Bull
have, imagine what they could do
together! MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Bill Oberdieck
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 58,59,60,61,62
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 58,59,60,61,62
58 MODEL AVIATION
by Jay Smith and Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull
Connection
The
Thrills with flying things
are what we’re all about!
This sums up the excitement of a Red Bull Air Race. Kirby Chambliss flies knife edge, smoke on, low over the water with a crowd of
people watching.
Right: The Red Bull control tower at
Windsor International Airport in
Ontario, Canada, clears the air race pilots
for takeoffs and landings.
RED BULL, an Austrian corporation, launched its energy drink
of the same name in 1987. Since then, the company has released
Red Bull Cola and has been deeply involved in extreme
sports.
In 2001, Red Bull began laying the groundwork for
what would become known in 2003 as the “Red Bull Air
Race”: an international series of full-scale aircraft
competitions in which the pilots would navigate a lowlevel
aerial track comprising air-filled pylons, or
“air gates.”
The fliers perform at speeds reaching 230
Above: A Canadian F-15, making a
“dirty” pass, maintains control at an
amazingly slow speed during a break in
the competition.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:11 AM Page 58
November 2009 59
A PT-17 Stearman leads two
de Havi l land Chipmunks
during one of several flybys
between races.
Nicolas Ivanoff of France with his Edge 540. As of this writing, he currently holds third
place in the series points standings.
Australian Matt Hall, flying his MXS-R, clips an air gate, ending his run. This was Matt’s
first year competing in the Red Bull Air Race.
The racecourse control tower is set up at
the edge of the Detroit River. Inside,
Matthias Dolderer’s ominous voice informs
pilots, “You are cleared to enter the track;
smoke on.”
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:12 AM Page 59
60 MODEL AVIATION
Have you ever wondered how such great
camera angles capturing the races are
broadcasted on TV? A helicopter flies
around the course, constantly filming each
pilot’s progress.
Support boats on the river carry divers
and a crew, to respond to situations
ranging from a downed air gate to an
aircraft in the water.
Hannes Arch has a great deal to smile about. He won the Red Bull Air Race World
Championship in 2008, in his second season as a competitor, and is only one point out of first
place so far this year.
Among the few full-scale aircraft that are suitable for racing
are differences in engine power and flying performance, which
can have an important influence on a pilot’s chances of winning.
There are currently two airplanes flown in the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship: the Edge 540 from Zivko Aeronautics in
Oklahoma and the MXS-R from MXR Technologies in North
Carolina.
Edge 540 Specifications
Length: 20.67 feet
Wingspan: 24.38 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,168 pounds
Power: 340 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 420°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Hannes Arch, Paul Bonhomme, Kirby Chambliss, Glen
Dell, Matthias Dolderer, Michael Goulian, Nicolas Ivanoff,
Mike Mangold, Pete McLeod, Yoshihide Muroya
MXS-R Specifications
Length: 20.6 feet
Wingspan: 23.98 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,301 pounds
Power: 350 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 450°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Nigel Lamb, Hall, Alejandro Maclean, Sergey
Rakhmanin, Peter Besenyei MA
Sources:
Zivko Aeronautics
www.zivko.com
MXR Technologies
http://mx2aircraft.com
Red Bull Air Race
Qualified Aircraft
Nigel Lamb pilots his
MXS-R.
An Edge 540 from Zivko
Aeronautics.
Photos by the authors
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:13 AM Page 60
November 2009 61
The top three finishers at Windsor (L-R): Hannes Arch, second;
Paul Bonhomme, first; and Kirby Chambliss, third.
Mike Mangold, a former Air Force pilot, was the Red Bull Air
Race World Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2007. His wife is also
involved in aviation; she is the Army’s first female helicopter
test pilot.
I had an opportunity to interview a few of the pilots who
competed in this year’s Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
When I caught up with Peter Besenyei of Hungary, he was
despondent. During the ferry flight from San Diego, California, to
Windsor, Ontario, an engine failure forced him to land his MXS-R
in a farmer’s field, slightly damaging it. As a result, Peter was
unable to compete.
I asked him what was going through his mind at the time of the
incident. He said that all he was thinking about was getting the
airplane down as safely as possible, without injuring someone or
himself.
I thanked Peter for his time, not wanting to push the wrong
button. In this type of racing, points are everything. I thanked him
(in Hungarian) and wished him well in the Budapest race.
I met Kirby Chambliss in 2001 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, while
he was involved in aerobatics. I’ve been one of his and Mike
Goulian’s followers ever since. I asked a number of the pilots for
their thoughts about the G-Race Suit, which helps protect them
from the debilitating forces they experience while flying in
competition.
BO: Kirby, what do you think of the new G-suit requirement?
KC:Well, Bill, as a pilot yourself, you know that safety is a
priority in this sport. You also know that any additional weight
will have an effect on the performance of the aircraft. I think the
answer is obvious, since we have been pushing the envelope in
pulling some high Gs.
BO: So what about the weight issue?
KC:With the 20-pound addition, we have to start looking at
where we can reduce weight in other areas safely, to try and
maintain the performance—not easy.
BO: Thanks, Kirby. Hopefully you will find a way, and good luck.
BO: Mike, how do you feel about the G-suit?
MG: Bill, for me it is a little uncomfortable; it’s 20 pounds extra
weight, and it gets a little hotter having to wear it. But if it makes
racing safer, it’s worth it.
BO:Mike, thanks for your time and have a safe race. MA
—Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull Air Race Winners at Windsor
1. Paul Bonhomme (Great Britain)
2. Hannes Arch (Austria)
3. Kirby Chambliss (US)
4. Mike Mangold (US)
5. Sergey Rakhmanin (Russia)
Red Bull Pilot Interviews
Mike Goulian is one
of three US pilots
competing in the
Red Bull races.
Kirby Chambl iss
finished third in the
Windsor, Ontario,
race.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:14 AM Page 61
mph, while withstanding forces of up to
12Gs. To further challenge the pilots, they
must fly between the 65-foot-tall air gates
in the correct position (either knife edge
or level), taking care not to touch the
pylons with their aircrafts’ wings.
Precision is crucial, because any mistakes
incur penalty seconds, which are added to
the pilot’s time. Pilots gain points at the
six series races that take place around the
world, with the hope of becoming the Red
Bull Air Race World Champion.
In 2009, the six race locations are Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; San Diego,
California; Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
Budapest, Hungary; Porto, Portugal; and
Barcelona, Spain. The last will be
contested in October.
The third race was held July 13-14 in
Ontario, on the Detroit River. MA was
given the opportunity to attend that stop in
the series, because Red Bull and the AMA
have a few things in common. Both
organizations are involved with aviation.
Both are interested in activities that
engage the younger generation.
It was hoped that the Academy’s 2009
membership drive, which ended
September 14, would encourage more
youngsters to get interested in
aeromodeling. Earlier this year, Red Bull
hosted a paper-airplane competition—
Paper Wings—at Ball State University in
Muncie, Indiana, as well as at several
other colleges throughout the United
States.
In addition, the Red Bull Air Race
competition is governed by the FAI, as are
the AMA’s members who compete in the
world model aviation arena.
This article’s photographs were taken
from both sides of the Detroit River. Bill
took his pictures from the Ontario side,
from which the event was held and the
aircraft were kept. Jay took his photos
from the Detroit, Michigan, side.
Therefore, you get a 360° view of this
amazing event.
There is much more to this story. Visit
the Red Bull Air Race Web site for further
information, videos, standings, and
program history. With the great initiative
and creativity that the AMA and Red Bull
have, imagine what they could do
together! MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Bill Oberdieck
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 58,59,60,61,62
58 MODEL AVIATION
by Jay Smith and Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull
Connection
The
Thrills with flying things
are what we’re all about!
This sums up the excitement of a Red Bull Air Race. Kirby Chambliss flies knife edge, smoke on, low over the water with a crowd of
people watching.
Right: The Red Bull control tower at
Windsor International Airport in
Ontario, Canada, clears the air race pilots
for takeoffs and landings.
RED BULL, an Austrian corporation, launched its energy drink
of the same name in 1987. Since then, the company has released
Red Bull Cola and has been deeply involved in extreme
sports.
In 2001, Red Bull began laying the groundwork for
what would become known in 2003 as the “Red Bull Air
Race”: an international series of full-scale aircraft
competitions in which the pilots would navigate a lowlevel
aerial track comprising air-filled pylons, or
“air gates.”
The fliers perform at speeds reaching 230
Above: A Canadian F-15, making a
“dirty” pass, maintains control at an
amazingly slow speed during a break in
the competition.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:11 AM Page 58
November 2009 59
A PT-17 Stearman leads two
de Havi l land Chipmunks
during one of several flybys
between races.
Nicolas Ivanoff of France with his Edge 540. As of this writing, he currently holds third
place in the series points standings.
Australian Matt Hall, flying his MXS-R, clips an air gate, ending his run. This was Matt’s
first year competing in the Red Bull Air Race.
The racecourse control tower is set up at
the edge of the Detroit River. Inside,
Matthias Dolderer’s ominous voice informs
pilots, “You are cleared to enter the track;
smoke on.”
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:12 AM Page 59
60 MODEL AVIATION
Have you ever wondered how such great
camera angles capturing the races are
broadcasted on TV? A helicopter flies
around the course, constantly filming each
pilot’s progress.
Support boats on the river carry divers
and a crew, to respond to situations
ranging from a downed air gate to an
aircraft in the water.
Hannes Arch has a great deal to smile about. He won the Red Bull Air Race World
Championship in 2008, in his second season as a competitor, and is only one point out of first
place so far this year.
Among the few full-scale aircraft that are suitable for racing
are differences in engine power and flying performance, which
can have an important influence on a pilot’s chances of winning.
There are currently two airplanes flown in the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship: the Edge 540 from Zivko Aeronautics in
Oklahoma and the MXS-R from MXR Technologies in North
Carolina.
Edge 540 Specifications
Length: 20.67 feet
Wingspan: 24.38 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,168 pounds
Power: 340 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 420°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Hannes Arch, Paul Bonhomme, Kirby Chambliss, Glen
Dell, Matthias Dolderer, Michael Goulian, Nicolas Ivanoff,
Mike Mangold, Pete McLeod, Yoshihide Muroya
MXS-R Specifications
Length: 20.6 feet
Wingspan: 23.98 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,301 pounds
Power: 350 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 450°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Nigel Lamb, Hall, Alejandro Maclean, Sergey
Rakhmanin, Peter Besenyei MA
Sources:
Zivko Aeronautics
www.zivko.com
MXR Technologies
http://mx2aircraft.com
Red Bull Air Race
Qualified Aircraft
Nigel Lamb pilots his
MXS-R.
An Edge 540 from Zivko
Aeronautics.
Photos by the authors
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:13 AM Page 60
November 2009 61
The top three finishers at Windsor (L-R): Hannes Arch, second;
Paul Bonhomme, first; and Kirby Chambliss, third.
Mike Mangold, a former Air Force pilot, was the Red Bull Air
Race World Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2007. His wife is also
involved in aviation; she is the Army’s first female helicopter
test pilot.
I had an opportunity to interview a few of the pilots who
competed in this year’s Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
When I caught up with Peter Besenyei of Hungary, he was
despondent. During the ferry flight from San Diego, California, to
Windsor, Ontario, an engine failure forced him to land his MXS-R
in a farmer’s field, slightly damaging it. As a result, Peter was
unable to compete.
I asked him what was going through his mind at the time of the
incident. He said that all he was thinking about was getting the
airplane down as safely as possible, without injuring someone or
himself.
I thanked Peter for his time, not wanting to push the wrong
button. In this type of racing, points are everything. I thanked him
(in Hungarian) and wished him well in the Budapest race.
I met Kirby Chambliss in 2001 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, while
he was involved in aerobatics. I’ve been one of his and Mike
Goulian’s followers ever since. I asked a number of the pilots for
their thoughts about the G-Race Suit, which helps protect them
from the debilitating forces they experience while flying in
competition.
BO: Kirby, what do you think of the new G-suit requirement?
KC:Well, Bill, as a pilot yourself, you know that safety is a
priority in this sport. You also know that any additional weight
will have an effect on the performance of the aircraft. I think the
answer is obvious, since we have been pushing the envelope in
pulling some high Gs.
BO: So what about the weight issue?
KC:With the 20-pound addition, we have to start looking at
where we can reduce weight in other areas safely, to try and
maintain the performance—not easy.
BO: Thanks, Kirby. Hopefully you will find a way, and good luck.
BO: Mike, how do you feel about the G-suit?
MG: Bill, for me it is a little uncomfortable; it’s 20 pounds extra
weight, and it gets a little hotter having to wear it. But if it makes
racing safer, it’s worth it.
BO:Mike, thanks for your time and have a safe race. MA
—Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull Air Race Winners at Windsor
1. Paul Bonhomme (Great Britain)
2. Hannes Arch (Austria)
3. Kirby Chambliss (US)
4. Mike Mangold (US)
5. Sergey Rakhmanin (Russia)
Red Bull Pilot Interviews
Mike Goulian is one
of three US pilots
competing in the
Red Bull races.
Kirby Chambl iss
finished third in the
Windsor, Ontario,
race.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:14 AM Page 61
mph, while withstanding forces of up to
12Gs. To further challenge the pilots, they
must fly between the 65-foot-tall air gates
in the correct position (either knife edge
or level), taking care not to touch the
pylons with their aircrafts’ wings.
Precision is crucial, because any mistakes
incur penalty seconds, which are added to
the pilot’s time. Pilots gain points at the
six series races that take place around the
world, with the hope of becoming the Red
Bull Air Race World Champion.
In 2009, the six race locations are Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; San Diego,
California; Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
Budapest, Hungary; Porto, Portugal; and
Barcelona, Spain. The last will be
contested in October.
The third race was held July 13-14 in
Ontario, on the Detroit River. MA was
given the opportunity to attend that stop in
the series, because Red Bull and the AMA
have a few things in common. Both
organizations are involved with aviation.
Both are interested in activities that
engage the younger generation.
It was hoped that the Academy’s 2009
membership drive, which ended
September 14, would encourage more
youngsters to get interested in
aeromodeling. Earlier this year, Red Bull
hosted a paper-airplane competition—
Paper Wings—at Ball State University in
Muncie, Indiana, as well as at several
other colleges throughout the United
States.
In addition, the Red Bull Air Race
competition is governed by the FAI, as are
the AMA’s members who compete in the
world model aviation arena.
This article’s photographs were taken
from both sides of the Detroit River. Bill
took his pictures from the Ontario side,
from which the event was held and the
aircraft were kept. Jay took his photos
from the Detroit, Michigan, side.
Therefore, you get a 360° view of this
amazing event.
There is much more to this story. Visit
the Red Bull Air Race Web site for further
information, videos, standings, and
program history. With the great initiative
and creativity that the AMA and Red Bull
have, imagine what they could do
together! MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Bill Oberdieck
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 58,59,60,61,62
58 MODEL AVIATION
by Jay Smith and Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull
Connection
The
Thrills with flying things
are what we’re all about!
This sums up the excitement of a Red Bull Air Race. Kirby Chambliss flies knife edge, smoke on, low over the water with a crowd of
people watching.
Right: The Red Bull control tower at
Windsor International Airport in
Ontario, Canada, clears the air race pilots
for takeoffs and landings.
RED BULL, an Austrian corporation, launched its energy drink
of the same name in 1987. Since then, the company has released
Red Bull Cola and has been deeply involved in extreme
sports.
In 2001, Red Bull began laying the groundwork for
what would become known in 2003 as the “Red Bull Air
Race”: an international series of full-scale aircraft
competitions in which the pilots would navigate a lowlevel
aerial track comprising air-filled pylons, or
“air gates.”
The fliers perform at speeds reaching 230
Above: A Canadian F-15, making a
“dirty” pass, maintains control at an
amazingly slow speed during a break in
the competition.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:11 AM Page 58
November 2009 59
A PT-17 Stearman leads two
de Havi l land Chipmunks
during one of several flybys
between races.
Nicolas Ivanoff of France with his Edge 540. As of this writing, he currently holds third
place in the series points standings.
Australian Matt Hall, flying his MXS-R, clips an air gate, ending his run. This was Matt’s
first year competing in the Red Bull Air Race.
The racecourse control tower is set up at
the edge of the Detroit River. Inside,
Matthias Dolderer’s ominous voice informs
pilots, “You are cleared to enter the track;
smoke on.”
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:12 AM Page 59
60 MODEL AVIATION
Have you ever wondered how such great
camera angles capturing the races are
broadcasted on TV? A helicopter flies
around the course, constantly filming each
pilot’s progress.
Support boats on the river carry divers
and a crew, to respond to situations
ranging from a downed air gate to an
aircraft in the water.
Hannes Arch has a great deal to smile about. He won the Red Bull Air Race World
Championship in 2008, in his second season as a competitor, and is only one point out of first
place so far this year.
Among the few full-scale aircraft that are suitable for racing
are differences in engine power and flying performance, which
can have an important influence on a pilot’s chances of winning.
There are currently two airplanes flown in the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship: the Edge 540 from Zivko Aeronautics in
Oklahoma and the MXS-R from MXR Technologies in North
Carolina.
Edge 540 Specifications
Length: 20.67 feet
Wingspan: 24.38 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,168 pounds
Power: 340 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 420°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Hannes Arch, Paul Bonhomme, Kirby Chambliss, Glen
Dell, Matthias Dolderer, Michael Goulian, Nicolas Ivanoff,
Mike Mangold, Pete McLeod, Yoshihide Muroya
MXS-R Specifications
Length: 20.6 feet
Wingspan: 23.98 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,301 pounds
Power: 350 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 450°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Nigel Lamb, Hall, Alejandro Maclean, Sergey
Rakhmanin, Peter Besenyei MA
Sources:
Zivko Aeronautics
www.zivko.com
MXR Technologies
http://mx2aircraft.com
Red Bull Air Race
Qualified Aircraft
Nigel Lamb pilots his
MXS-R.
An Edge 540 from Zivko
Aeronautics.
Photos by the authors
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:13 AM Page 60
November 2009 61
The top three finishers at Windsor (L-R): Hannes Arch, second;
Paul Bonhomme, first; and Kirby Chambliss, third.
Mike Mangold, a former Air Force pilot, was the Red Bull Air
Race World Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2007. His wife is also
involved in aviation; she is the Army’s first female helicopter
test pilot.
I had an opportunity to interview a few of the pilots who
competed in this year’s Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
When I caught up with Peter Besenyei of Hungary, he was
despondent. During the ferry flight from San Diego, California, to
Windsor, Ontario, an engine failure forced him to land his MXS-R
in a farmer’s field, slightly damaging it. As a result, Peter was
unable to compete.
I asked him what was going through his mind at the time of the
incident. He said that all he was thinking about was getting the
airplane down as safely as possible, without injuring someone or
himself.
I thanked Peter for his time, not wanting to push the wrong
button. In this type of racing, points are everything. I thanked him
(in Hungarian) and wished him well in the Budapest race.
I met Kirby Chambliss in 2001 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, while
he was involved in aerobatics. I’ve been one of his and Mike
Goulian’s followers ever since. I asked a number of the pilots for
their thoughts about the G-Race Suit, which helps protect them
from the debilitating forces they experience while flying in
competition.
BO: Kirby, what do you think of the new G-suit requirement?
KC:Well, Bill, as a pilot yourself, you know that safety is a
priority in this sport. You also know that any additional weight
will have an effect on the performance of the aircraft. I think the
answer is obvious, since we have been pushing the envelope in
pulling some high Gs.
BO: So what about the weight issue?
KC:With the 20-pound addition, we have to start looking at
where we can reduce weight in other areas safely, to try and
maintain the performance—not easy.
BO: Thanks, Kirby. Hopefully you will find a way, and good luck.
BO: Mike, how do you feel about the G-suit?
MG: Bill, for me it is a little uncomfortable; it’s 20 pounds extra
weight, and it gets a little hotter having to wear it. But if it makes
racing safer, it’s worth it.
BO:Mike, thanks for your time and have a safe race. MA
—Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull Air Race Winners at Windsor
1. Paul Bonhomme (Great Britain)
2. Hannes Arch (Austria)
3. Kirby Chambliss (US)
4. Mike Mangold (US)
5. Sergey Rakhmanin (Russia)
Red Bull Pilot Interviews
Mike Goulian is one
of three US pilots
competing in the
Red Bull races.
Kirby Chambl iss
finished third in the
Windsor, Ontario,
race.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:14 AM Page 61
mph, while withstanding forces of up to
12Gs. To further challenge the pilots, they
must fly between the 65-foot-tall air gates
in the correct position (either knife edge
or level), taking care not to touch the
pylons with their aircrafts’ wings.
Precision is crucial, because any mistakes
incur penalty seconds, which are added to
the pilot’s time. Pilots gain points at the
six series races that take place around the
world, with the hope of becoming the Red
Bull Air Race World Champion.
In 2009, the six race locations are Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; San Diego,
California; Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
Budapest, Hungary; Porto, Portugal; and
Barcelona, Spain. The last will be
contested in October.
The third race was held July 13-14 in
Ontario, on the Detroit River. MA was
given the opportunity to attend that stop in
the series, because Red Bull and the AMA
have a few things in common. Both
organizations are involved with aviation.
Both are interested in activities that
engage the younger generation.
It was hoped that the Academy’s 2009
membership drive, which ended
September 14, would encourage more
youngsters to get interested in
aeromodeling. Earlier this year, Red Bull
hosted a paper-airplane competition—
Paper Wings—at Ball State University in
Muncie, Indiana, as well as at several
other colleges throughout the United
States.
In addition, the Red Bull Air Race
competition is governed by the FAI, as are
the AMA’s members who compete in the
world model aviation arena.
This article’s photographs were taken
from both sides of the Detroit River. Bill
took his pictures from the Ontario side,
from which the event was held and the
aircraft were kept. Jay took his photos
from the Detroit, Michigan, side.
Therefore, you get a 360° view of this
amazing event.
There is much more to this story. Visit
the Red Bull Air Race Web site for further
information, videos, standings, and
program history. With the great initiative
and creativity that the AMA and Red Bull
have, imagine what they could do
together! MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Bill Oberdieck
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 58,59,60,61,62
58 MODEL AVIATION
by Jay Smith and Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull
Connection
The
Thrills with flying things
are what we’re all about!
This sums up the excitement of a Red Bull Air Race. Kirby Chambliss flies knife edge, smoke on, low over the water with a crowd of
people watching.
Right: The Red Bull control tower at
Windsor International Airport in
Ontario, Canada, clears the air race pilots
for takeoffs and landings.
RED BULL, an Austrian corporation, launched its energy drink
of the same name in 1987. Since then, the company has released
Red Bull Cola and has been deeply involved in extreme
sports.
In 2001, Red Bull began laying the groundwork for
what would become known in 2003 as the “Red Bull Air
Race”: an international series of full-scale aircraft
competitions in which the pilots would navigate a lowlevel
aerial track comprising air-filled pylons, or
“air gates.”
The fliers perform at speeds reaching 230
Above: A Canadian F-15, making a
“dirty” pass, maintains control at an
amazingly slow speed during a break in
the competition.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:11 AM Page 58
November 2009 59
A PT-17 Stearman leads two
de Havi l land Chipmunks
during one of several flybys
between races.
Nicolas Ivanoff of France with his Edge 540. As of this writing, he currently holds third
place in the series points standings.
Australian Matt Hall, flying his MXS-R, clips an air gate, ending his run. This was Matt’s
first year competing in the Red Bull Air Race.
The racecourse control tower is set up at
the edge of the Detroit River. Inside,
Matthias Dolderer’s ominous voice informs
pilots, “You are cleared to enter the track;
smoke on.”
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:12 AM Page 59
60 MODEL AVIATION
Have you ever wondered how such great
camera angles capturing the races are
broadcasted on TV? A helicopter flies
around the course, constantly filming each
pilot’s progress.
Support boats on the river carry divers
and a crew, to respond to situations
ranging from a downed air gate to an
aircraft in the water.
Hannes Arch has a great deal to smile about. He won the Red Bull Air Race World
Championship in 2008, in his second season as a competitor, and is only one point out of first
place so far this year.
Among the few full-scale aircraft that are suitable for racing
are differences in engine power and flying performance, which
can have an important influence on a pilot’s chances of winning.
There are currently two airplanes flown in the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship: the Edge 540 from Zivko Aeronautics in
Oklahoma and the MXS-R from MXR Technologies in North
Carolina.
Edge 540 Specifications
Length: 20.67 feet
Wingspan: 24.38 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,168 pounds
Power: 340 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 420°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Hannes Arch, Paul Bonhomme, Kirby Chambliss, Glen
Dell, Matthias Dolderer, Michael Goulian, Nicolas Ivanoff,
Mike Mangold, Pete McLeod, Yoshihide Muroya
MXS-R Specifications
Length: 20.6 feet
Wingspan: 23.98 feet
Wing: Symmetrical, carbon fiber
Weight: 1,301 pounds
Power: 350 horsepower
Top speed: 264.7 mph
Roll rate: 450°/second
Maximum G load: +/- 12
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Pilots: Nigel Lamb, Hall, Alejandro Maclean, Sergey
Rakhmanin, Peter Besenyei MA
Sources:
Zivko Aeronautics
www.zivko.com
MXR Technologies
http://mx2aircraft.com
Red Bull Air Race
Qualified Aircraft
Nigel Lamb pilots his
MXS-R.
An Edge 540 from Zivko
Aeronautics.
Photos by the authors
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:13 AM Page 60
November 2009 61
The top three finishers at Windsor (L-R): Hannes Arch, second;
Paul Bonhomme, first; and Kirby Chambliss, third.
Mike Mangold, a former Air Force pilot, was the Red Bull Air
Race World Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2007. His wife is also
involved in aviation; she is the Army’s first female helicopter
test pilot.
I had an opportunity to interview a few of the pilots who
competed in this year’s Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
When I caught up with Peter Besenyei of Hungary, he was
despondent. During the ferry flight from San Diego, California, to
Windsor, Ontario, an engine failure forced him to land his MXS-R
in a farmer’s field, slightly damaging it. As a result, Peter was
unable to compete.
I asked him what was going through his mind at the time of the
incident. He said that all he was thinking about was getting the
airplane down as safely as possible, without injuring someone or
himself.
I thanked Peter for his time, not wanting to push the wrong
button. In this type of racing, points are everything. I thanked him
(in Hungarian) and wished him well in the Budapest race.
I met Kirby Chambliss in 2001 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, while
he was involved in aerobatics. I’ve been one of his and Mike
Goulian’s followers ever since. I asked a number of the pilots for
their thoughts about the G-Race Suit, which helps protect them
from the debilitating forces they experience while flying in
competition.
BO: Kirby, what do you think of the new G-suit requirement?
KC:Well, Bill, as a pilot yourself, you know that safety is a
priority in this sport. You also know that any additional weight
will have an effect on the performance of the aircraft. I think the
answer is obvious, since we have been pushing the envelope in
pulling some high Gs.
BO: So what about the weight issue?
KC:With the 20-pound addition, we have to start looking at
where we can reduce weight in other areas safely, to try and
maintain the performance—not easy.
BO: Thanks, Kirby. Hopefully you will find a way, and good luck.
BO: Mike, how do you feel about the G-suit?
MG: Bill, for me it is a little uncomfortable; it’s 20 pounds extra
weight, and it gets a little hotter having to wear it. But if it makes
racing safer, it’s worth it.
BO:Mike, thanks for your time and have a safe race. MA
—Bill Oberdieck
Red Bull Air Race Winners at Windsor
1. Paul Bonhomme (Great Britain)
2. Hannes Arch (Austria)
3. Kirby Chambliss (US)
4. Mike Mangold (US)
5. Sergey Rakhmanin (Russia)
Red Bull Pilot Interviews
Mike Goulian is one
of three US pilots
competing in the
Red Bull races.
Kirby Chambl iss
finished third in the
Windsor, Ontario,
race.
11sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 10:14 AM Page 61
mph, while withstanding forces of up to
12Gs. To further challenge the pilots, they
must fly between the 65-foot-tall air gates
in the correct position (either knife edge
or level), taking care not to touch the
pylons with their aircrafts’ wings.
Precision is crucial, because any mistakes
incur penalty seconds, which are added to
the pilot’s time. Pilots gain points at the
six series races that take place around the
world, with the hope of becoming the Red
Bull Air Race World Champion.
In 2009, the six race locations are Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; San Diego,
California; Windsor, Ontario, Canada;
Budapest, Hungary; Porto, Portugal; and
Barcelona, Spain. The last will be
contested in October.
The third race was held July 13-14 in
Ontario, on the Detroit River. MA was
given the opportunity to attend that stop in
the series, because Red Bull and the AMA
have a few things in common. Both
organizations are involved with aviation.
Both are interested in activities that
engage the younger generation.
It was hoped that the Academy’s 2009
membership drive, which ended
September 14, would encourage more
youngsters to get interested in
aeromodeling. Earlier this year, Red Bull
hosted a paper-airplane competition—
Paper Wings—at Ball State University in
Muncie, Indiana, as well as at several
other colleges throughout the United
States.
In addition, the Red Bull Air Race
competition is governed by the FAI, as are
the AMA’s members who compete in the
world model aviation arena.
This article’s photographs were taken
from both sides of the Detroit River. Bill
took his pictures from the Ontario side,
from which the event was held and the
aircraft were kept. Jay took his photos
from the Detroit, Michigan, side.
Therefore, you get a 360° view of this
amazing event.
There is much more to this story. Visit
the Red Bull Air Race Web site for further
information, videos, standings, and
program history. With the great initiative
and creativity that the AMA and Red Bull
have, imagine what they could do
together! MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Bill Oberdieck
[email protected]