2025 SEASON ROUND 3
Race Track＆
Highlights Overview
Race Track Highlights｜
R3 Osaka
The R3 Osaka track is defined by its dynamic layout set against the backdrop of the city sky.
Pilots are challenged with split-second decisions and precise maneuvering, while spectators can look forward to a series of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat moments.
Here are three key highlights to watch for:
Highlight ①: Blind Climb
Section: Gate 5 (Pylon E)｜High Turn 500ft
This is the toughest challenge in the first half of the course. Pilots approach the pylon at nearly 400 km/h, transitioning from level flight into a climbing turn.
However, since the turn point is not visible from the cockpit, they must rely on their “mind’s eye” to navigate.
Technical Insight
Entering at a speed of 360kph without the pylon in sight, even a 0.1-second delay pushes the aircraft 10 meters forward, resulting in a 0.2-second loss. On the other hand, turning too early leads to a “climbing penalty,” making precise timing absolutely critical.
What may look like a simple climbing turn however in reality, it is a maneuver that demands precises decision and delicate skill to locate an unseen pylon with one’s inner awareness.
Highlight ②：Low Break
Section: Gate 8｜Low Turn 250ft (High-turn follow-up, high-speed corner)
Immediately after the high turn comes one of the most physically demanding sections, where the strongest G-loads are concentrated.
Here, a skilled pilot will execute a quick “swing to the left” before entering the right-hand turn, creating the perfect entry angle for this high-speed maneuver.
Technical Insight
Like a ralley car in gravel, by swinging left to gain angle, pilots can clear the following right-hand turn more smoothly. However, if the swing is too deep, excessive G-force builds up, causing deceleration—or worse, exceeding 12G and facing instant disqualification.
In this section, pilots push both machine and body to the absolute limit, testing the ultimate timing and searching for the perfect balance of speed and angle in a breathtaking aerial duel.
Highlight ③：Rhythm Chain
Section: Gates 10–11｜Consecutive Turns (Big Eight)
Known as the “Big Eight,” this pair of consecutive turns is less about raw time and more about rhythm—where the flow of the maneuver determines success or failure.
Technical Insight
When executed in rhythm, the smooth reversals allow the aircraft to maintain acceleration and flow seamlessly into the next high turn. But once rhythm is lost, speed can drop by more than 10 km/h, leading to a stall in the Gate 12 high turn. The slowdown carries through to the final sector, resulting in a 0.5–1.0 second loss.
For spectators, the sight of an aircraft carving out a beautifully fluid “aerial slalom” is a true highlight. Conversely, a broken rhythm leads to a dramatic loss of speed—making a pilot’s concentration and sense of timing a exciting but sometimes frustrating part of the race to watch.
