Have you ever dreamed of flying like a bird or maybe a superhero? Well, you’re not alone. Every year, folks worldwide come together for Red Bull Flugtag. It’s a fantastic and entertaining event!
Red Bull Flugtag, or “flight day” in German, is a fun competition. Teams of up to five people create and fly their human-powered flying machines. The catch? The flying machines have to be launched off a 9-meter-high platform into the water, and they usually don’t fly very far or very well.
The event was first held in 1992 in Vienna, Austria, inspired by the Birdman Rally that started in 1971 in Selsey, England. Since then, it has become a global phenomenon, with more than 35 cities hosting the event, including New York, Sydney, Moscow, and Dubai.
Designing a flying machine that defies gravity is tough. Impress judges and audience with creativity and showmanship. The teams must adhere to rules like using muscle power, eco-friendly materials, and no loose parts. The flying machines are also limited in size and weight, with a maximum of 10 meters long and 150 kilograms in mass.
The teams are judged on distance, creativity, and showmanship. Distance is measured by how far the flying machine travels in the air before hitting the water. Creativity is evaluated by how original, innovative, and humorous the flying machine and its theme are. Showmanship is assessed by how well the team performs a skit or a dance before the launch and how they interact with the crowd.
In Red Bull Flugtag, unique flying machines like a giant cheeseburger or a pink unicorn wowed the crowd. Other favorites were a flying toilet, a dragon, and a Star Wars Millennium Falcon replica. Some teams have also dressed up as superheroes, pirates, astronauts, and chickens.
The event has also seen some impressive flight feats and epic fails. The world record for the longest flight is 78.6 meters, which was achieved by the Chicken Whisperers team in Long Beach, California, in 2013. The largest crowd ever to attend a Red Bull Flugtag event was 220,000 people in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2012.
One of the past participants, who built a flying machine shaped like a banana, said:
“It was an amazing experience. We had so much fun designing, building, and flying our craft. We didn’t care if we crashed; we just wanted to have a good time and make people laugh.”
The event organizer, who has been involved since the beginning, said:
“Red Bull Flugtag is more than just a competition. It’s a celebration of human creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of fun. It’s a way to inspire people to challenge themselves and to express their personality and passion.”
The Red Bull Flugtag is an event that promises a fun-filled experience for both participants and spectators. Don’t wait any longer; gather your friend’s tools and prepare for an exciting ride!
