PROFILE | YOSHI MUROYA | OFFICIAL SITE

YOSHIHIDE MUROYA
Date of birth: January 27, 1973
Place of residence: Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
Aerobatics pilot
Red Bull Air Race pilot

Holds air shows throughout Japan to generate public awareness in aerobatics. Actively works to bridge the earth with the sky and holds the Japan National Aerobatic Championship event. He also proactively joins the movement to reconstruct Fukushima, his home town, and promotes various children’s projects. Started entering the Red Bull Air Race from 2009, and won its Chiba round for his first time in 2016.
Red Bull Air Race Champion in 2017 as the first Japanese-cum-Asian pilot.

YOSHIHIDE MUROYA Date of birth: January 27, 1973
Place of residence: Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture

Aerobatics pilot
Red Bull Air Race pilot

Holds air shows throughout Japan to generate public awareness in aerobatics. Actively works to bridge the earth with the sky and holds the Japan National Aerobatic Championship event. He also proactively joins the movement to reconstruct Fukushima, his home town, and promotes various children’s projects. Started entering the Red Bull Air Race from 2009, and won its Chiba round for his first time in 2016.
Red Bull Air Race Champion in 2017 as the first Japanese-cum-Asian pilot.

It all started as a yearning for a fantasy world.

Yoshi pursued his career as a pilot, trying to get closer to his dream of becoming Amuro Ray, the hero in the “Mobile Suit Gundam” anime he used to watch on TV as a boy. He fantasized about boarding Gundam, and was exhilarated by the thought of being related to Amuro Ray, upon discovering that his surname contained the sound ‘muro,’ as in Amuro. Around that time as a child, he had a chance to join a cockpit tour of a passenger plane. And so, his fantastic yearning for Gundam and the cockpit experience fused into a real dream of becoming a pilot.

During childhood, he repeatedly went through various “ingenious” training programs of his own creation, such as climbing and flinging himself from a tree (then falling, of course), or flying (or more correctly jumping) his bicycle into the air by attaching wings onto it, ( but then again falling). Though becoming a keen soccer player during his junior high school years, his passion for the sky was rekindled as he grew older.

Hence in 1991, he joined the glider circle at college, enrolled in a full-fledged flight course at the age of 18, and started to receive glider pilot training.

At age 20, he headed for the US to obtain a pilot’s certificate. Upon doing so, he came to acknowledge the dynamic scale of the US aeronautical industry that was so much advanced as compared to Japan: A shocking feeling that had a major impact on his later career as a pilot. Returning to Japan, he took up part-time jobs to earn enough money to go back to the US for several months a year, so that he could continue his training. Concurrently, he continued his glider training in Japan, and acquired numerous long-distance flight techniques in Australia. As a result, he came to achieve good results in domestic competitions.

In 1995 at age 22, Sets his goal of becoming a pilot with the “world’s best maneuvering skills”

Yoshi was taken aback to observe the world’s top aerobatic skills of Jurgis Kairys and Patrick Paris at the Breitling World Cup, held at Tajima Airport in Japan. He thus set his goal to become a pilot with “the world’s best maneuvering skills,” and took a step forward in becoming an aerobatic pilot. He spent two years to raise enough money for training, while continuing to hone his flight skills by working as a glider instructor.

In 1997 at age 24: Enters his first competition (sportsman class)

Yoshi left again for the US in February to start his full-fledged training under Randy Gagne, a world-leading aerobatics instructor. This was when Yoshi’s talent started blooming, and his maneuvering skills improved dramatically. After a month-long rigorous training in camp, he participated in his first competition (sportsman class) in June, and entered the World Championship (advance class) as a Japan Team member in July.

In 1998 at age 25: Starts his domestic air show activities

His name starts to be known as he begins to hold air shows in Japan. His struggle went on, however, as air sports were still relatively unknown in Japan. He thus had to work hard every day to raise the money necessary to continue flying.

In 2002 at age 29: Starts his own competition-focused air show team: “TEAM DEEPBLUES”

Aspiring to achieve world-level flight skills upon acquiring the Sukhoi 26 aircraft, Yoshi launched “Team Deepblues,” his competition-focused air show team. Though facing the risk of breaking up shortly after startup due to financial difficulty, “Team Deepblues” was able to survive, thanks to the grant aid offered by Mr. Kyuichiro Horinouchi of Seikatsu Soko Company.

In 2003 at age 30: Makes his first entry into the Unlimited-class World Championship

Yoshi made his first entry into the Unlimited-class World Championship without having any knowledge of it. This championship made him realize the incomparably superior skill levels of top-level pilots, whom he came to get acquainted personally. Back in Japan, Robert Fry joined Yoshi’s “Team Deepblues,” allowing the team to start holding formation air shows with a “Super Decathlon” aircraft.
In his home ground Fukushima Sky Park, Yoshi set up the NPO Fukushima Flight Association, a base for generating public awareness on aeronautical culture, and for conducting youth education activities.

In 2004 at age 31: Launched the Air Bandits

Yoshi started full-fledged formation flights together with Robert Fry who flew a Sukhoi 29 aircraft. Upon repeating air shows with Robert, Yoshi eventually comes to establish “Air Bandits,” a three-plane formation team with Robert and Jurgis Kairys, aka the ‘king of the skies.’ Serving as Yoshi’s supervisor over many years, Jurgis’ entry into the Air Bandits in 2004 fall, allowed the team to hold extremely well-received air shows in Fukushima and Miyakonojo.

In 2005 at age 32: Takes on his fate-determining project

Yoshi took on the “POCARI SWEAT” sky typing project. In parallel with his air show activities, his full-fledged activities to generate public awareness on aeronautical culture received raving response. Yoshi felt strongly destined to be involved in this awareness-generating project, which had also influenced him in the past. He also got married this year.

In 2006 at age 33: Expands his activity field into the world

Yoshi’s team finally took off to the world, in order to participate in the Al Ain Air Show, UAE. Altogether, he made flights at about 20 air shows, both within and outside Japan. In October, Yoshi coordinated the flight event of Peter Besenyei, a Red Bull Air Race pilot, who remarked highly on Yoshi’s talent as a pilot.
At Fukushima Sky Park, the NPO Fukushima Flight Association was designated as the airport administrator, and started various activities to activate the airport.

In 2007 at age 34: Introduces the EXTRA aircraft

Yoshi came to fly the latest EXTRA 300S aircraft, upon signing a sponsorship contract with Red Bull. The Sukhoi 26 that he was using until the year before was transferred to the Red Bull training facility in Spain to use in further training. In June, Yoshi entered the Unlimited-class World Championship.
He also revved up his activities to enter various overseas air shows, including those in the UAE, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. In November, Yoshi made his first-time entry into the FAI World Grand Prix “Haute Voltage.” Yoshi was nominated as one of the world’s top eight solo pilots.

In 2008 at age 35: The days of training after training

Sponsored by Red Bull, Yoshi started his full-fledged training geared towards entering the Red Bull Air Race. He joined a total of eight training camps in seven months. In July, Yoshi participated in the FAI European Aerobatic Championship held in the Czech Republic. His fate-defining coach was Patrick Paris, the 1995 Breitling World Cup winner, who had influenced Yoshi greatly in his early days as a pilot.
As the Super License is required for participating in the Red Bull Air Race, Yoshi obtained it in September at the “Red Bull Qualification Camp” held in Spain.
In November, Yoshi participated in the FAI World Grand Prix “Haute Voltage,” and became first in the Public Award category. On November 15, his entry in the 2009 Red Bull Air Race was officially announced.

In 2009 at age 36: Makes his very first entry in the Red Bull Air Race

Yoshi participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship as the first Japanese-cum-Asian pilot. His old ally, Robert Fry, joined him as the team coordinator. The first-half strategy of focusing on becoming thoroughly acquainted with the race flight contributed to his lead in the latter half, awarding Yoshi with a highly-remarked sixth position at the final Barcelona round in Spain.
The amount of his domestic air show activities also increased, resulting in his participation in a total of 28 events including air races. He also held the first test aerobatic flight competition in Japan, and started full-fledged activities that pursue safety, expanded the audience base, and promoted public awareness in aerobatics and aerial sports. In December, Yoshi received the Faust A.G. Award 2009, an award given to the most active adventurer/challenger in Japan, within the “Faust Challenger of the Year” category. During the winter off-season, he went to New Zealand, the home ground of Robert Fry, his team mate. He went to this southern hemisphere country to renovate and fine-tune his race plane, train himself and to enter various air shows.

In 2010 at age 37: Enters the 1st Japan National Aerobatic Championship

Following 2009, Yoshi participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. In Japan, he held the 1st Japan National Aerobatic Championship, and served as the secretariat.

In 2011 at age 38: FOR FUKUSHIMA

The Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11th greatly damaged various airport facilities and cracked the runway of Fukushima Sky Park, Yoshi’s home ground. For the first three months after the disaster, Yoshi prioritized on emergency relief work using a helicopter, and abandoned his original plan of participating in the upcoming world championship. In May, he held the “Golden Week Special Event: Boys and Girls Flight Class,” by inviting children evacuating at the Azuma General Athletic Park, together with a special air show for them. He gradually resumed his activities, and was able to participate in the September World Championship, owing to the support of many people. In October, the 2nd Japan National Aerobatic Championship was held, and Yoshi served as the safety committee chairperson of the official secretariat.

In 2012 at age 39: Prepares to form the Japan Team for the FAI World Aerobatic Championship

In preparation for the World Aerobatic Championship, Yoshi held two training camps, first in April and second in May, by inviting Patrick Paris, a world-leading coach, to Fukushima. The EDGE 540 aircraft was used for the first time in Japan.
In August, Yoshi participated in the FAI World Advanced Glider Aerobatic Championship in Slovakia, together with another pilot. Although a three-man formation, a prerequisite for the national team, could not be realized this time, major progress was made towards organizing the official “Japan Team” in the future. In September, Yoshi participated in the FAI European Aerobatic Championship. He also was appointed the ‘Attaka Fukushima’ (heart-warming Fukushima) Tourism Exchange Ambassador to propagate Fukushima Prefecture.

In 2013 at age 40: Become one of the Freestyle award winners at the FAI World Aerobatic Championship

Continuing his training from 2012, Yoshi vigorously took part in eight training camps in the US, the venue of the World Championship in October. Yoshi became 6th in Freestyle for the first time. In June, he also participated in the qualification camp to restart challenging the Red Bull Air Race. Yoshi passed various tests and obtained the Super License. Signing a sponsorship contract with Breitling, he bought in a two-seater EXTRA 300L aircraft.

In 2014 at age 41: Resumed his challenge in the Red Bull Air Race

After a three-year blank period, Yoshi finally resumed his challenge in the Red Bull Air Race. Owing to his concentrated training during the blank period, however, Yoshi was able to take his first-ever podium by finishing third place at the second round in Croatia. Constantly entering various races throughout the year, Yoshi finished the season ranked 9th in the world. Back home in Fukushima, he exhibited his flight techniques at numerous events to rebuild his home town.

In 2015 at age 42: The first-ever Championship is held in Japan, and Yoshi starts the Sky Sports Project

In May, the Red Bull Air Race was held for the first time in Japan. Yoshi set a track record in front of the 120,000 audience who came to enjoy the event held at the Makuhari Seaside Park in Chiba City. Finishing third place twice: once at the Ascot round in August, and second at the Fort Worth round in September, Yoshi finished the 2015 season ranked 6th in the world, his best-ever record. Between the race periods, Yoshi actively held air shows throughout Japan. In September, Yoshi became the lecturer for the children’s Sky Sports Project: “For the Brighter Future of Fukushima! Sports Waku-Waku Project -- ‘Oozora ni Habatake!’ (‘Soar sky high!’) Sky Sports Class” (sponsored by the Culture and Sports Bureau, Fukushima Prefecture). He also started a long-term Sky Sports Project for children on a full-fledged basis, while concurrently assumed the post of Fukushima City ‘Momorin’ (Peach and Apple) Ambassador, to appeal the attractiveness of Fukushima both in Japan and abroad.

In 2016 at age 43: Accomplishes the long-cherished dream of demonstrating the world’s best maneuvering skills by winning the Red Bull Air Race held in Japan

Entering the Red Bull Air Race for the second consecutive year, Yoshi won the Chiba round in June before the eyes of a 50,000-plus audience. It was the moment when Yoshi finally achieved his long-cherished dream of becoming the world’s best pilot. Continuing to earn points throughout the series, Yoshi closed the 2016 season ranked 6th in the world.
Continuing his project to promote sky sports vigorously, Yoshi also conducted various campaigns to generate public awareness in aeronautic sports, including the Sky Sports Class that had entered its second year, as well as air shows held throughout Japan.
Concurrently, Yoshi started his next action in the aerospace field geared towards the next generation, by taking part in a project to develop planes made in Japan.
To date, Yoshi has held air shows in more than 230 locations over the past 18 years, without having any accident.

2017 (44 years-old) Achieved the long-held desire of the World Championship title.

Yoshi won four races in 2017 – the 2nd stop in San Diego, the 3rd stop in Chiba, the 7th stop in Lausitz and the 8th stop in Indianapolis. The Chiba race win was his second consecutive home race victory following the 2016 1st place podium. After accumulating a tremendous winning record during the 2017 season, Yoshi finally obtained the long desired title of 2017 World Champion, becoming the first Asian pilot in any top motorsport category to win a race-series.

Yoshi regularly takes time out from his busy race schedule to contribute to projects such as air shows and aviation classes for children, hoping to nurture the interests of young generations in aviation.

He has funded a project ‘VISION 2025’ to inspire young people to learn to fly, along with a plan to start a project in 2018 aimed at developing talents in the Japanese aeronautical & aerospace industry of the future.

He has flown in more than 250 places with a perfect flight record for 19 years, Yoshi’s perfect flight record still remains intact to this date.

1997	Participated in his first-ever competition, the US National sportsman class domestic competition Entered the FAI World Aerobatic Championship (advanced class) held in Kansas, US Japan Team finished the ninth place
2003	Participated for the first time in the FAI World Aerobatic Championship (unlimited class) held in Florida, US
2007	Participated in the FAI World Aerobatic Championship (unlimited class) held in Granada, Spain Entered the FAI World Grand Prix “Haute Voltage” held in Motegi, Japan
2008	Entered the FAI World Grand Prix “Haute Voltage” held in Motegi, Japan, and became the Public Award winner Participated in the FAI European Aerobatic Championship held in Radek, Czech Republic Obtained the Red Bull Air Race Super License
2009	Participated for the first time in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2009. Muroya becomes the sixth place at the final Barcelona round in Spain
2010	Participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2010
2011	Participated in the FAI World Elite Aerobatic Formula held in Riga, Latvia Participated in the FAI World Aerobatic Championship (unlimited class) held in Foligno, Italy
2012	Participated in the FAI World Advanced Glider Aerobatic Championship held in Nyiregyhaza, Hungary Participated in the FAI European Aerobatic Championship held in Dubnica, Slovakia
2013	Participated in the FAI World Aerobatic Championship (unlimited class) held in Dallas, US Muroya becomes one of the finalists in the Four Minute Freestyle,finishing the sixth place
2014	Participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2014 Muroya finished on the podium becoming the third place at the second round in Croatia
2015	Participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2015 Muroya winstwo third place positions one at the 5th round in Ascot, and another at the 7th round in Fort Worth Muroya finishes the 2015 season with a 6th-rank position
2016	Participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2016 Muroya wins his first victory at the 3rd round in Chiba

2003	Established theNPO Fukushima Flight Association at Fukushima Sky Park, a farm road airport in Fukushima City, and assumed the post of deputy director. Launched activities aimed to build a sky sports-oriented community and achieve harmonious coexistence with the local community in Fukushima Sky Park, once ridiculed as a waste of tax money and even at the brink of closedown. NPO Fukushima Flight Association – Aspiring to realize an airport park that bridges the earth and the sky –http://www.ffa.or.jp/ Fukushima Sky Parkhttp://www.ffa.or.jp/fsp/
2004	Established the Fukushima Red Cross Air Rescue, and started working as a volunteer.
2006	The NPO Fukushima Flight Association was named the airport administrator of Fukushima Sky Park.
2008	Concluded an agreement with Fukushima City on “providing information on banned dumping of illegal waste,” and started aerial surveillance activities.
2009	Served as the safety committee chairperson of the official secretariat on holding Japan’s first aerobatic flight competition (on a trial basis). Embarked to create a system in providing his knowledge and knowhow to the country and form a young athlete training support base.
2010	The first Japan National Aerobatic Championship was held at Fukushima Sky Park. Muroya served as the safety committee chairperson of the official secretariat.
2011	Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, invited children living in the evacuation center to the Fukushima Sky Park, which was then being used as an emergency-relief helicopter basis. He held an airshow demonstration as part of the Flight Class for those evacuating boys and girls. Muroya served as a member of the official secretariat of the 2nd Japan National Aerobatic Championship held in October
2012	Took the position of ‘Attaka Fukushima’ (heart-warming Fukushima) Sightseeing Ambassador, straining to dispel harmful, bad rumors on Fukushima. The 3rd Japan National Aerobatic Championship was held, and Muroya served as the safety committee chairperson of the official secretariat.
2013	Participated in the music label “Fukushima Records” Project, and cooperated in the “Fukushima Children’s Fund.” http://www.fukushimarecords.com/index.html The 4th Japan National Aerobatic Championship was held, and Muroya served as the safety committee chairperson of the official secretariat.
2014	The NPO Fukushima Flight Association was awarded the Air Sports Medal by the Japan Aeronautic Association for its contribution to develop air sports.。
2015	Launched a project to bring up children through sky sports. Muroya participated as a lecturer in the “For the Brighter Future of Fukushima! Sports Waku Waku Project --- ‘Oozora ni Habatake!’ (‘Soar sky high!’) Sky Sports Class,” sponsored by the Culture and Sports Bureau, Fukushima Prefecture. Also took up the post of Fukushima City ‘Momorin’ (Peach and Apple) Ambassador to propagate Fukushima City.
2016	Assumed the position of “Fukushima Sports Ambassador,” in order to promote sports and activate Fukushima’s local communities. Muroya participated as a lecturer in the “For the Brighter Future of Fukushima! Sports Waku Waku Project --- ‘Oozora ni Habatake!’ (‘Soar sky high!’) Sky Sports Class” in Nakadori, sponsored by the Culture and Sports Bureau, Fukushima Prefecture. Received the Japan Aeronautic Association’s “Dream of the Sky Award.”