Air Racer planes and paints: all 4 planes compared

Air Racer has four planes: the free Trainer, the Racer (2,500 coins), the Aerobat (7,000 coins) and the Pro Racer (10,000 coins). Each new plane is faster or turns harder, but needs a steadier hand. You also win three paints for your plane by taking Gold medals.

The four planes

Plane stats compared

Each plane card in the Hangar shows four stats. Here they are, exactly as the cards show them:

• Speed is the plane's top speed in level flight with full power.
• Roll is how fast the wings tilt.
• Turn power is how hard the plane can pull round a turn.
• G limit is the most G the plane can take. Go over it and the race ends.

Each plane also has a lower G number where the "Too many G!" penalty starts: 8 G for the Trainer, 10 G for the Racer and the Aerobat, and 12 G for the Pro Racer. The card does not show this number. Read what G means on how to fly the plane.

What each plane is like to fly

Trainer

Your first plane, a gift from Grandpa. It is the slowest plane and turns gently, and its flight path follows the nose a little more quickly than the others. That makes it calm and easy to aim. Its top speed is just under the 370 km/h start-gate limit, so in level flight it never gets the start penalty. It is good enough for Silver medals on every course.

Racer

The first plane to buy. It is quicker and rolls faster than the Trainer, and it can pull harder before the penalty. Every Gold medal can be won with the Racer. Its top speed is over 370 km/h, so ease off before the start gate.

Aerobat

Made for tricks. It rolls almost as fast as the Pro Racer, and it lifts its nose faster than any other plane. It is a little faster than the Racer. Great on slaloms and loops, where you change direction all the time.

Pro Racer

The fastest plane, with the strongest engine, the hardest turns and the highest G limits. It also reacts the quickest to the stick, so small, calm moves work best. Use the air brake a lot: at full speed it is far too fast for a slalom.

How to buy and switch planes

1. Open the Hangar: press B, use the Hangar tile in the menu, or press Hangar on the result screen. On a controller, press Start and choose Hangar.
2. Each plane you don't own yet shows its price and a Buy button. If you can't afford it yet, the button is greyed out and the card says More coins needed and how many.
3. Press Buy. The plane is now yours and you fly it straight away.
4. To switch back, press Fly this one on any plane marked Yours. The plane you fly now says Flying this.

Your times are kept per plane

Your race times, your best flights and your shadow are kept for each plane and each flying mode. A new plane starts with an empty list. Your old records with the Trainer stay safe. See shadows and replays.

Paints for your plane

Your plane starts with the Standard paint. Win Gold on all three courses of a place to unlock a new paint:

Pick your paint under Paint at the bottom of the Hangar. A locked paint cannot be pressed yet. Paint only changes the look. It never changes how the plane flies.

Which plane should you buy first?

Buy the Racer first. It costs the least and it is the plane every Gold medal was tested with. Then save for the Aerobat if you like loops and slaloms, or go straight for the Pro Racer if you want the top speed. How to earn coins fast is on medals and coins.

See also

• Advanced tips: how to fly the faster planes well.
• Medals and coins: how to save up.
• All nine courses: where each plane shines.
• Back to the Air Racer guide, or play Air Racer.

• About Air Racer
• All game guides