 | | Abu Dhabi | 11 March 2016 |
| Inside Track Red Bull Air Race, Abu Dhabi |  | | |
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship kicked off today, Friday 11 March 2016, with a spectacular race in the sky above Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The race is the first of eight events that will take place this year, making the Red Bull Air Race the pre-eminent international air race circuit in the world.
The FAI is at the heart of the Red Bull Air Race – providing medals, watching over the rules and regulations, and of course observing safety. Ben A F Ruijs is the FAI Safety Delegate who has the enviable job of travelling round the world with the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. We caught up with him to ask him about his role.
> Watch the video
> Read the article
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Core Skills 'Learn to Fly a Glider First' |  | | |
Red Bull Air Race pilot Peter Podlunšek explains how getting into gliding when he was a teenager “was the biggest benefit” when he switched to powered aerobatics.
“Everything was so much easier because I had this experience from gliders. Now in the Red Bull Air Race I’m using this experience – it’s so great.”
He reckons every powered pilot should start off with gliding – plus it’s cheap and easy to get into.
> Watch the interview | |
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| Behind the Scenes Jim Reed, Technical Director |  | | |
Part of the beauty of the Red Bull Air Race is the calibre of the people involved at all levels. Jim ‘Jimbo’ Reed is the Technical Director for the race and takes that role very seriously. “Teams aren’t always happy to see me,” he jokes.
A skilled pilot, he says he is never happier than when flying FAI World Records for himself and his team back home in California.
> Watch the video | |
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Follow the Red Bull Air Race |  | | |
Australian Matt Hall finished the day on top in the Master Class, leading the pack of 14 pilots with a blistering time of 58.079. Meanwhile, Luke Czepiela was first in the Challenger Cup qualifying round.
The Red Bull Air Race is streamed live, with amazing onboard footage and commentary that helps the race come alive. Review today's action, find full results and watch live on race day all online...
> See today's results here
> Watch online | |
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| About the FAI
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the World Air Sports Federation, is the world governing body for air sports and for certifying world aviation and space records. The FAI was found in 1905 and is a non-governmental and non-profit-making organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
FAI activities include Balloons and Airships, Power Flying, Gliding, Helicopter flight, Parachuting, Aeromodelling, Aerobatics, Hang Gliding, Microlight and Paramotor Flying, Amateur-Built and Experimental Aircraft, Manpowered Flying, Paragliding and all other Aeronautic and Astronautic sporting activities. | |
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