Two new challengers from the United States and Canada will compete in the global aerial motorsport series, beginning with the inaugural AIR RACE X Pilot Academy in Fukushima, Japan.
FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN — March 18, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –
Highlights
- North America Challengers Join the Grid – U.S. pilot Melissa Burns and Canada’s Michael Tryggvason join an elite field of eight pilots representing seven nations in the 2026 AIR RACE X Championship.
- Second Female Pilot in Series History – Burns becomes the second woman to compete in AIR RACE X, following Australia’s Emma McDonald.
- Pilots Gather in Japan for Inaugural AIR RACE X Pilot Academy – The new competitors will travel to Fukushima Sky Park, the home base of world champion Yoshihide Muroya.
- Extreme Performance Environment – Pilots compete at speeds approaching 400 km/h while experiencing forces of up to 12G, pushing the limits of precision aerial racing.
- Global Broadcast Schedule Confirmed – The 2026 AIR RACE X Championship will feature four races streamed worldwide on the official AIR RACE X YouTube channel on June 28, July 19, August 16, and September 13.
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/@AIRRACEX
More information:
https://www.airracex.com
Burns and Tryggvason Join the AIR RACE X Championship Grid
AIR RACE X has confirmed the eight-pilot lineup for the 2026 championship, with North American pilots Melissa Burns and Michael Tryggvason joining the elite international grid.
The championship brings together top competitors from seven nations, forming one of the most exclusive fields in global motorsport.
Burns becomes the second female pilot in AIR RACE X history, following Australia’s Emma McDonald. Known for her precise flying and extensive experience in aerobatics and airshow performance, Burns now steps into the highly competitive world of aerial racing.
Tryggvason, widely respected for his technical precision and disciplined flying style, enters the championship with a reputation for accuracy and control — critical skills in a sport where races are often decided by fractions of a second.
Both pilots will now face the established stars of the series as they begin their AIR RACE X championship campaign in 2026.
About AIR RACE X
AIR RACE X is a global aerial motorsport championship in which elite pilots fly high-performance aircraft through a technical racecourse designed to test precision, speed, and control.
Reaching speeds of up to 400 km/h, pilots experience forces of up to 12G in one of the most physically demanding forms of motorsport. Races are decided by the fastest time through the course, with points awarded at each round toward the season championship.
The 2026 season will feature four races held at locations around the world, where established champions will face a new generation of challengers including Melissa Burns and Michael Tryggvason.
Across the season, every second — and every point — will matter in the battle to become AIR RACE X Champion.
The Ultimate Test in Fukushima, Japan
Before the championship begins, the new pilots will travel to Japan to take part in the first AIR RACE X Pilot Academy, held at Fukushima Sky Park, the home base of world champion Yoshihide Muroya.
Over the course of the week, the pilots will enter a demanding aviation environment designed to prepare them for the extreme conditions of aerial racing. Flying at low altitude and under high-G loads — capped at 10G during the academy — they will refine the precision, discipline, and decision-making required to compete at the highest level of the sport.
Beyond flying performance, the academy also focuses on the professional side of motorsport. Pilots will develop the skills needed to operate as elite athletes in a global championship, including building partnerships with sponsors and representing the sport on the international stage.
For many of the competitors, the experience in Fukushima will mark the beginning of their journey into one of the world’s most demanding aerial racing series.
Quotes
Melissa Burns (USA)
“I’ve been fortunate to visit Japan before while performing on U.S. Air Force bases, but this will be my first time traveling by bullet train and coming to Fukushima. Becoming an air race pilot has been a dream of mine for more than twenty years, so the opportunity to compete in AIR RACE X truly feels like a dream come true. I’m especially excited to spend time flying with Yoshi for the first time and to step into a completely different form of aviation competition.”
Michael Tryggvason (Canada)
“To share the skies over Fukushima with a master of the sport like Yoshihide Muroya is incredibly humbling. The dedication required to build this environment for aviation competition is remarkable, and it’s a privilege to be part of it. The surrounding mountains and landscape make it a truly special place to fly.”
Desmond Barry, CEO of AIR RACE X:
“Fukushima offers one of the finest flight environments in the world. Hosting the first international AIR RACE X Pilot Academy here is an important milestone for the sport. Only a small number of pilots reach this level of aerial competition, and we look forward to seeing the next generation begin their AIR RACE X journey in Fukushima.”
Media Assets & Interview Opportunities
For U.S. and international media outlets
A Digital Press Kit, including high-resolution action photos and footage (flight sequences, cockpit footage, pilot interviews and race data visualization), will be available for those who request from April 12, 2026.
Email: [email protected]
Media interviews with AIR RACE X pilots and leadership may be arranged upon request.
Media Contact
AIR RACE X Media Relations
Email: [email protected]
For media inquiries from North America, please request contact with:
Ted Morris
AIR RACE X North American Representative
About AIR RACE X
AIR RACE X is a global aerial motorsport championship featuring elite pilots racing high-performance aircraft through precision three-dimensional courses. Reaching speeds of up to 400 km/h, pilots experience forces of up to 12G in one of the most physically demanding forms of motorsport. The championship brings together pilots from around the world to compete in a series of races where precision, speed, and decision-making determine the champion of the skies.
Source: AIR RACE X
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