So You Want to Be an Air Racer?

Every time someone finds out that I participate in pylon racing, I get asked the same question:

“How do you even get into air racing?”

The assumption is often that racers were born into it or somehow stumbled into a secret club of adrenaline-seeking pilots. But the reality is far simpler, and far more powerful.

It starts with a dream.

Not a loud one. Not an easy one. Just a quiet pull toward something bigger than yourself, toward dedication, precision, teamwork, competition, and the absolute joy of flying.

Air racing isn’t an overnight decision. It begins long before a pilot ever sees a pylon.

First, you need to fly, not just well, but exceptionally well.

• You build hours.

• You refine your airmanship.

• You train for consistency, not comfort.

Along the way, you earn the endorsements, ratings, and experience required for the class of aircraft you want to race. Whether it’s Sport, Formula One, Biplane, Unlimited or Jet Class, each has unique requirements, safety standards, and high-performance expectations.

This takes patience. It takes commitment. And it takes humility, because air racing demands mastery, not shortcuts.

Learning From Those Who Came Before

No one becomes an air racer alone.

Every racer has mentors, pilots who share knowledge, stories, warnings, mistakes, and wisdom earned the hard way.

You listen.

You ask questions.

You absorb every lesson because safety, professionalism, and respect for the sport depend on it.

Air racing has a legacy, and stepping into it means understanding the responsibility that comes with it.

PRS: Where Racers Are Made

For most modern racers, the journey leads to PRS, Pylon Racing Seminar.

This isn’t just training. It’s immersion.

At PRS, pilots are coached on:

• Race lines and pylon geometry

• Safety procedures and emergency protocols

• Energy management

• Radio procedures and communication etiquette

• Formation re-joins and course discipline

• Situational awareness at high closing speeds

You learn how the course works, but more importantly, how the community works.

PRS teaches what every air racer must know:

Finding the Aircraft That Fits You

After PRS, the dream becomes real, (that is IF you were good enough to PASS) because now, you must find an aircraft that matches:

• Your skill level

• Your racing goals

• Your budget

• Your long-term commitment to the sport

Some pilots buy. Some partner. Some join a team.

Every aircraft has a story, a personality, and a heartbeat. Choosing the right one isn’t just financial, it’s emotional.

And once you do, the preparation begins

Racing isn't just flying — it’s project management, logistics, engineering, teamwork, and perseverance.

Proving Yourself

Air racing doesn’t hand out opportunities. You earn them.

You show up prepared. You demonstrate discipline. You respect the officials, the volunteers, and the pilots around you.

You prove that you belong, not by being the fastest, but by being safe, teachable, predictable, and professional.

That's how trust is built in the racing world.

Check Your Ego at the Hangar Door

This surprises people, but it shouldn’t:

There is no place for egos on a racecourse.

Ego is reckless. Ego ignores limits. Ego gets people hurt.

Racing requires:

• Self-awareness

• Openness to feedback

• Calmness under pressure

• Respect for competitors

• Emotional control

• Team-first thinking

The pilots who succeed long-term are not the loudest, they are the most disciplined.

The Truth Most People Don’t See

Behind every lap around the pylons is:

• A thousand training hours

• Late nights in hangars

• Financial sacrifice

• Family support

• Mentors guiding you

• Maintenance teams keeping you safe

• Friends cheering from the ramp

• Countless self-doubts overcome

It’s not glamour. It’s grit.

So… How Do You Get Into Air Racing?

You decide you want it, and then you work for it.

You train. You study. You listen. You keep going when it gets hard. You stay humble.

You stay safe. You stay teachable. You are predictable.

And one day, you’ll hear that Pace Plane call for you:

“Racers… you have a race!”

In that moment, every sacrifice is worth it.