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May 23, 2010 - Red
Bull Flugtag, the outrageous human-powered flying competition, is
getting ready to swoop in for a landing in Long Beach this August 21st
for the first time in the event's 19-year history. Forty teams have been
selected to try their hand at flight -- however briefly -- before
ultimately splashing into the waters of These aviator wannabes will be launching themselves off Pine Avenue Pier, the exact same spot Travis Pastrana jumped his rally car 269 feet during Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. 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. |
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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.
Talk about a qualified bunch! 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. Crafts 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 crafts 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! 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.
The teams come
from all over |