The Red Bull Air Race World Series is an international competition for aerobatic pilots. The races are held in cities around the world, with championship points awarded for each round in a format similar to Formula 1 motor racing.
The London round was held this weekend, over the River Thames in Docklands next to the O2 (formerly known as the Millennium Dome). Qualifying rounds were held on Saturday, with the finals on Sunday.
The pilots race against the clock, flying through a slalom course of inflatable pylons. The agile, lightweight racing aircraft make extremely tight turns as they wind their way through the course. Certain slalom gates must be crossed with the aircraft wings horizontal, but others must be crossed with the aircraft in "knife angle" position, with the wings in vertical position and the wingtips pointing directly up and down.
It's a remarkable display of flying skill, with the pilots rolling the planes left and right in a split second as they weave in and out of the gates.
1 comment:
That looks like a ton of fun! I remember watching the Blue Angels at the Naval Academy! WHEW!!!
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