Red Bull Flugtag (German for ‘airshow’) is a fun event organized by Red Bull in which competitors attempt to fly homemade human-powered flying machines. The flying machines are usually launched off a pier about 30 feet high into the sea or lake. Most competitors enter for the entertainment value, and the flying machines rarely fly at all.
The first Red Bull Flugtag competition was held in 1991 in Vienna, Austria. It was such a success that it has been held every year since and in over 35 cities all over the world. The most recent one this year was held in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 3. According to the organizers, some 50,000 spectators had gathered to enjoy the event.
Anyone is eligible to compete in the Flugtag event. To participate, each team must submit an application and their contraption must meet the criteria set forth by Red Bull, which are usually size of wingspan and weight of the craft. Because the aircraft will ultimately end up in the water, it must be unsinkable and constructed entirely of environmentally friendly materials.
Teams compete at the Flugtag competition under three categories - distance, creativity, and showmanship. The record for the longest flight in the history of the competition is 207 feet set on July 24, 2010 at the Flugtag in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The competition wasn't the invention of Red Bull. Check out Japan's "Biwa Birdman" event, which has been running for many years now.
ReplyDeletePlease note that the author does not say it was invented by Red Bull.
ReplyDelete"Red Bull Flugtag (German for ‘airshow’) is a fun event organized by Red Bull".
Interesting fact though.