Little Green Army Men, The Flintstones, And A Flying Sombrero
Will Attempt To Soar Over Long Beach
It may not be "Those Magnificent Men And Their Flying Machines"
... exactly ... but it is a lot of fun. And for the first time in
the event's 19-year history, Red Bull Flugtag, the outrageous
human-powered flying competition, is getting ready launch over
Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, CA, on August 21st. Forty teams have
been selected to try their hand at flight -- however briefly --
before ultimately splashing into the water waiting below. These
aviator wannabes will be launching themselves off Pine Avenue
Pier.
Photo Courtesy Red Bull
Flugtag, which means "flying day" in German, gives everyday Joes
(and Janes!) the chance to be heroes for the day when they launch
their homemade human-powered flying machines off a 30-foot high
flight deck and hopefully also into the Red Bull Flugtag hall of
fame. Teams will be looking to fly as far as they can this August,
but they'll also have to impress the judges with their creativity
and showmanship if they want a spot on the podium.
The international distance record of 195 feet is definitely up
for grabs with this group of teams who know more than a little bit
about flight. "Flying" machines will be designed by the likes of
mechanical and aerospace engineers, engineering students, golf ball
/ club designers from Titleist, and yes, a team of rocket
scientists (really!). The event will also showcase entries by the
Coast Guard, U.S. Navy Rescue Divers and two teams comprised of
Southern California firefighters. While these teams may not have as
much expertise at technical design, they certainly know about water
and getting wet!
Photo Courtesy Red Bull
But lest you think it will be all function and no crazy form,
keep in mind spectators will also see an aerial battle between two
giant flying heads: President Obama and Chuck Norris (what other
giant flying heads did you expect?). The Flintstones will make an
appearance, as will the Jetsons, oversized Peeps (the Easter
candy), a huge stork (with baby in tow) and a flying stingray.
History will also be made as the Spruce Goose (well, a spruce
goose, not the Spruce Goose) will return to the skies, trying to
best its previous 1947 distance. Oh, and the Los Angeles Clippers
have a team. Will their extraordinary height and ball-handling
skills help them? Wait and see.
Photo Courtesy Red Bull
The teams come from all over California as well as from Arizona,
New Mexico, Washington and Nevada. College rivalries will be in
high gear as teams from USC, UCLA, Northern Arizona University, Cal
State University Long Beach, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Arizona State
University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take to the skies to
compete for school pride.
While participants should let their imaginations soar, there are
still a few rules in this sky. First off, all flying machines must
be entirely human-powered (no external energy sources or stored
power). And, no matter what they say, size does matter -- all
crafts must weigh no more than 450 lbs (including the pilot).
Photo Courtesy Red Bull
The first Red Bull Flugtag was held in Vienna in 1991. Since
then, more than 80 Red Bull Flugtags have been held around the
world -- from London to San Francisco -- attracting up to 300,000
spectators at one event! The international flight distance record
stands at 195 feet set in 2002 at Red Bull Flugtag Austria. North
America's longest flight took place at Red Bull Flugtag Nashville
in 2007 with a distance of 155 feet. Miami will host the first 2010
Red Bull Flugtag in the U.S., followed by the Twin Cities, MN; Long
Beach, CA; and Philadelphia, PA.
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