In my previous article, I gave you a look at what it takes to apply and be accepted to the Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp.  It is at Qualification Camp where pilots are given the opportunity to earn a “Super License” and this week I will give you a look into what happens at a Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp.

(As I wrote last week, the information that is detailed below comes from requirements that were in effect during the last season of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.  By now you have probably heard that the Red Bull Air Race is currently being reorganized and I expect that at least a few changes will probably be made to the following information.)

Qualification Camp:

The objective of the Qualification Camp is to train and evaluate a potential future Race Pilot.  Regardless of how much training a pilot holds…once He or She steps through the door of Qualification Camp, they are from then on known as a “Trainee”.  All pilots that are invited to the Qualification Camp are instructed through a syllabus that is divided into two parts. The two parts of the Qualification Camp syllabus consist of:

1. Ground Training
2. Flight Training

Ground Training:

First, I will go over Ground Training.  Ground Training is meant to be used as a sort of “refresher” course to all Trainees. Most Trainees will have a general understanding of the topics in Ground Training but it is extremely important that all Trainees know each piece of this material.  This training also gives Instructors the opportunity to assess strength’s and weaknesses of each Trainee.

The following are examples of the items that are covered in the Ground Training portion of the Qualification Camp.

1. Symmetrical wing aerodynamics – advantages, disadvantages, strength and stall characteristics
2. Turn radius – factors, finding optimum, practical application
3. Experimental Aircraft – program letters, limitations, ferry & overflight permissions
4. Aviation medicine in the race environment – dehydration, heat stress, nutrition, illness & medication
5. Human Performance Limitation/ HPL – G-Tolerance etc.
6. Pylon familiarization – normally presented by an Air Gate crew member on site
7. Race Rules & Stewarding
8. Team management discussion (structure, expectations, experience & future)
9. Race Pilot experience with Q & A – presented by a current or former Race Pilot

Not only are the Trainees taught the above material but…each Trainee will be required to present at least one of the above topics as well.  Instructors are not interested in how well the Trainee presents the material but rather how well they retain the information within.

Flight Training:

Now it’s time for the fun stuff!  Each Trainee is instructed in certain aspects of how to safely and properly fly through a typical air race track.  This training is structured to improve the Trainee’s skill up level by level until He or She is deemed “Race Ready”.  The progression through each item on the flight training list is closely monitored by trained Instructors and only when the Instructors are satisfied that each item is completed confidently and successfully…will the Trainee be signed off.

The following are examples of the items that are covered in the Flight Training portion of the Qualification Camp.

• Training Aircraft Check-out

• Aerobatics, Stalling & Spinning

• Low Level Flying

•  Start/Finish Gate Flying including:
•  Wings Level Pass
• Horizontal Pass
• Knife-edge pass.

• Race Track Component Flying including:
• Chicane
• Vertical Turning Manoeuvre
• Quadro

• Partial Race Track Flying

• Full Race Track Flying

• “Race Ready” Check

This represents a bulk of the training a Trainee will encounter at the Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp.  Additional training can be issued by the Director of Aviation if deemed necessary.

In addition, an abbreviated training syllabus is conducted for “Media Pilots” that are tasked with providing introductory flights to members of the media.  These flights give reporters a front row seat to the action and allows them to experience a little from the perspective of a professional Race Pilot.

So, as you can see it takes more than your average pilot to become a Red Bull Air Race athlete.

Thanks for reading!

Tom

Becoming a Red Bull Air Race Pilot is no simple task…let’s just get that clear from the beginning.  The set of requirements one must hold to even be considered are detailed in such a way that only the best are given the opportunity.  Then, once the best candidates are considered and offered a chance to try out…Red Bull Air Race Officials demand more.

(Please note that the following is based on the requirements that were effective 01, March 2010.  I fully expect that there might be some changes to this process as the Red Bull Air Race camp gears up for their returning season, hopefully in 2013.)

The Application Process Requirements for a “Super License”

First there is the application process for the “Super License” which has it’s own set of requirements.  Before anyone completes this application they must posses the following criteria.

• Applicant must be a professional pilot.
• Applicant must have experience in Aerobatic Competition and Display.
• Applicant must be fluent in both speaking and writing the English language.

If the applicant doesn’t have these three basic requirements…chances are he or she won’t make it very far.

The Application

Pilots that maintain the proper requirements for the application process will submit a “Potential Future Race Pilot Application Form“. On this form they will be asked to provide information about their Pilot License Rating, accumulated Flight Hours as a Pilot in Command, background and experience in Aerobatic Flying and information about their choice of aircraft.  The following is a minimum list of requirements that the officials will be looking for:

1. Pilot must currently hold a CPL (A) License.
2. Pilot must have a minimum of 1000 flight hours logged as a Pilot in Command.
3. Pilot must have fulfilled the following requirements:

• Pilot must currently be an active aerobatic air show display pilot.

-AND-

• Have participated in an European Aerobatic Championship (EAC) – finished among the 1st half of the overall ranking in the Unlimited Category at least once in the past 5 years.

-Or-

• Have participated in a World Aerobatic Championship (WAC) – finished among the 1st half of the overall ranking in the Unlimited Category at least once in the past 5 years

-Or-

• Have participated in any aerobatic World Grand Prix (World Cup) organized by the FAI – finished among the 1st half of the overall ranking in the Unlimited Category at least once in the past 5 years.

Selection Process

Once the application process is complete, eligible Pilots are then placed into the selection process.  During the selection process, the applicant will be assessed on his or her flying background and experience. Along with flying experience,  consideration will also be given to other factors including personality and the ability to create, finance and manage a professional race team.

If a Pilot successfully makes it through the aforementioned steps, then he or she will be asked to attend the yearly Qualification Camp…and that boys and girls…is where the real work begins.

So there you have it…a quick look at the first half of the application and selection process for a Red Bull Air Race Pilot.  Check back next week when we will cover the Qualification Camp and other requirements to maintain proficiency  throughout the season.

Tom

According to news reports, the representatives for Red Bull met a few months ago with officials from Mumbai India to discuss the possibility of hosting an air race in 2013.  The proposed location for the 3 day event is rumored to be at the “Girgaon Chaupati”.

The Girgaon Chaupati (pronounced “Chow-Patty”) is one of the most famous public beaches adjoining Marine Drive in the Girgaum area of Mumbai, India.  An artificial foldable air strip will be created and people can watch the competition from marine drive  said Ramesh Kalnawat, director, Austrian Trade Commission.  Along with this announcement, the news reports also hint that the officials from Redbull are possibly planning up to 10 cities for future races.

One thing to remember is that preperaing for an upcoming race season can be very intense including location scouting, permit applications, pilot qualification sessions and much much more.  If a 2013 season is on the horizon…we should start to see increased activity as the preperation begins.  Until then, check in with the official Red Bull Air Racing website and drop them an e-mail letting them know that you really want to see a season in 2013!

Tom

Little information about future Red Bull Air Race seasons have many wondering if we will indeed see this awesome sport once again take to the skies.  But…if you dig deep, clues are starting to surface and if we are lucky, 2013 could be the year we have been waiting for!

Recently, Red Bull Air Race pilot Peter Besenyei’s website brought some attention to some activity happening in the house of Red Bull.  The following is translated from his Hungarian website here…and while it might be hard to understand, you can see the underlying tone of his message.

“For now, we do not want anyone to chase vain. The Red Bull House leaked the news is not over, but maybe you can tell that they are working on that tournament in 2013, a new concept along the new rules start on Ishmael.

In the meantime, a very short time, as promo flights, beharangozóra will also be required, ie very soon.

The machines should also be prepared up to forge a team to fix the locations.

Maybe .. maybe at the beginning of April we will be more.”

Lets hope this means good news for 2013!

Tom