Standardised engines and propellers levelled the playing field for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
The rules of the game are set to change drastically for the 2014 edition, when it return from a threeyear hiatus with round one in Abu Dhabi from February 28-March 1.
Unlike from 2003 to 2010, the planes all have standardised engines, or power plants as they are commonly referred to, and propellers too.
For the pilots, the new engine specifications and testing data means that from a power plant perspective, all competitors will start the season on par.
Along with the standardised engines comes a similar amendment to the propellers. Each race plane is now fitted with the Hartzell three-bladed 7690 structural composite propeller.
The decision to use the standardised propeller was taken to improve the safety of the aircraft, in case of engine failure.
With the supply of standardised engines and propellers, the technical focus in the Championship has shifted.
Pilots and their teams are now dedicating their efforts to perfecting airframe aerodynamics, as well as pilot skill and ability.
