Red Bull Air Race is finally making its way back into Microsoft Flight Simulator! The feature appears to be set for release on December 8, coinciding with the simulator’s launch on PlayStation 5, and it is expected to reach PC and Xbox players at the same time through Sim Update 4, which is now in the final stages of testing.
The first detailed look at the mode comes from a new video published by Cow Town, who showcases Red Bull Air Race running on an early PlayStation 5 Pro build. The footage provides a full rundown of how the mode works and confirms the scale of the new activity set.
Cow Town’s footage walks through the four difficulty settings available:
- Novice: Reduced penalties, simplified rule set, slower aircraft performance, and an easier layout
- Intermediate: Same rule set as Novice with a slightly altered track
- Expert: Authentic course layouts with simplified penalties
- True to life: Full real-world rules, penalties, and course configurations
Each difficulty includes its own leaderboard, allowing simmers to compare times globally and with friends.
Detailed rules based on the real Red Bull Air Race
The video confirms that the mode implements the full set of race procedures, including:
- Smoke activation before entering the track
- A maximum 200-knot entry speed
- Height requirements for double gates
- Strict bank-angle limits for rotation gates
- Knife-edge flight for blue gates and quadro formations
- Chicanes flown in sequence
- Vertical turn maneuvers with a 9.9G limit
Penalties apply for incorrect rotation, incorrect height, climbing or sinking violations, over-G, pylon strikes, and overspeed at entry.
Six race locations available at launch
The early-access menu lists:
- Abu Dhabi
- Chiba
- Budapest
- Spielberg
- Rio de Janeiro
- Monument Valley
A dedicated hangar interface is also shown, giving pilots access to several official Red Bull Air Race teams and their corresponding liveries.
For many simmers, the return of Red Bull Air Race has been a long-standing request. The new footage demonstrates that the mode is complete, fully integrated, and ready for release. It also looks undeniably fun! With the PlayStation launch set for December 8 and Sim Update 4 nearing completion on PC, all signs point toward this feature arriving across the entire platform ecosystem together.
You can watch Cow Town’s full video below.
