Red Bull Air Race Tech Talk: Tail Sizes

With each team trying to shave hundredths of seconds off their run time, they will try anything they can to reduce drag and increase speed. In Chiba Yoshihide Muroya tested a smaller vertical tail, but changed it back soon after when he realised he needed more time with it to get used to the change in handling. Let Red Bull Air Race Technical Director Jim "Jimbo" Reed explain the advantages and disadvantages of having a smaller tail...
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About: The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world's best pilots in a motorsports competition based on speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, Red Bull Air Race pilots navigate a low-level aerial race track made up of air filled pylons, flying at speeds reaching 230mph while withstanding forces of up to 10g. The objective is to complete the course, navigating the 65 feet high specially designed inflatable pylons known as Air Gates in the fastest possible time. Red Bull Air Race pilots must pass between the Air Gates in the correct position taking care not to touch them with their wings. The pilots compete for points at each Red Bull Air Race and the one who accumulates the most at the end of the season is crowned Red Bull Air Race World Champion.

[D_]

I would love a little more in depth/detail analysis for the (aero) engineers among us!

[gmcjetpilot]

RIP Red bull air races... canceled. Jimbo you can work on my plane anyday.

[nagaaranagaara]

salam, racing just for fun, beard also fun for women...