Red Bull Flugtag (, 'airshow' lit. 'flight day') is an event organized by Red Bull in which competitors attempt to fly home-made, human-powered flying machines, size-limited to around 10 m and weight-limited to approximately 150 kg. The flying machines are usually launched off a pier about 9 m high into the sea or other body of water. Most competitors enter for the entertainment value, and the flying machines rarely fly at all.
Background
The format was originally invented in Selsey, a small seaside town in the south of England under the name "Birdman Rally" in 1971.[1] The first Red Bull Flugtag competition was held in 1992 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.[2]
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. The criteria vary with location. In the United States each flying machine must have a maximum wingspan of 30 ft and a maximum weight (including pilot) of 450 lb. In Australian Flugtags the wingspan is limited to 8 m and the weight (not including pilot) to 180 kg.[3] The craft must be powered by muscle, gravity, and imagination. Because the aircraft will ultimately end up in the water, it must be unsinkable and constructed entirely of environmentally friendly materials. The aircraft may not have any loose parts and advertising space is limited to 1 sqft.[4]
World records
Distance
The record for the longest flight is 258 feet (78.6 m), set on September 21, 2013, at the Flugtag in Long Beach, California, by "The Chicken Whisperers" team in front of a crowd of 110,000.[5]
Attendance
The largest crowd was in Cape Town, South Africa with 220,000 attending in 2012.
Results
Teams that enter the competition are judged according to three criteria: distance, creativity, and showmanship.
International
United States
Austin, Texas, Saturday, April 26, 2003
First Place: Pop and Fizz – 70 ft (21.3 m)
Second Place: Team Acme
Third Place: Winged Jalapeños
Most Creative: El Sombrerians
Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, August 9, 2003
First Place: Sync, Swim or Fly – 51 ft (15.5 m)
Second Place: Jake and Elwood
Third Place: The Kicken' Chicken
Most Creative: Candy Flyer
Incidents
Serious injuries
Bucharest, September 19, 2010: broken back, skull fracture[14]
Pittsburgh, August 4, 2017: ruptured spleen, traumatic brain injury[15]
Nashville, September 23, 2017: Lumbar vertebrae (L1)
Cancellation/termination by authorities
The Portland, Oregon, competition, held on August 1, 2015, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park
In video games
The Red Bull Flugtag is featured as a playable mini-game in a special "Red Bull space", called the Red Bull Beach, in PlayStation Home released on November 26, 2009.[17]
after an excessive number of spectator boats (over 500) filled the river, making it impassable to commercial traffic. One collision was reported between a spectator boat and a commercial vessel, though damage was minimal and no injuries occurred.
