Red Bull Air Race

[N8894J]

Have you seen this picture from the Red Bull obstacle course air race in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This pilot was penalized 10 second for hitting this optical on the course. At 200 mph I would think he was lucky to land without injury to himself or this aircraft.

I think I would have to land and clean my self

Mark

 

[fgcason]

I was reading about those pylons at some point. When they designed them after the testing was done, Peter Besenyei went out in his Extra and deliberately flew through one at speed. He just ripped right through it like in that picture.

 

[Ken Ibold]

Plus, the aircraft are fitted with "pylon cutters" in sort of the way some helicopters and ag planes have wire cutters.

 

[Shipoke]

Cutters or not i dont want to hit anything with a plane at 200 MPH plus.
Dave G

 

[Steve]

Red Bull race officials had to demonstrate to the FAA that they could replace a ripped pylon quickly so that planes and ground personnel would not be on the course at the same time before the FAA would allow the race to take place in the U.S.

http://www.airandspacemagazine.com/ASM/Mag/Index/2005/AM/rbrr.html

 

[mgkdrgn]

I've seen video of them "cutting" those pylons. They are tissue thin and have no noticable effect on the aircraft what so ever. Like hitting smoke.

Have you seen this picture from the Red Bull obstacle course air race in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This pilot was penalized 10 second for hitting this optical on the course. At 200 mph I would think he was lucky to land without injury to himself or this aircraft.

I think I would have to land and clean my self

Mark