Human-powered flight creations to splash down in Lake Carolyn
Written by Phil Cerroni
Photo courtesy of Red Bull USA.
By Amanda Casanova
Irving will welcome competing teams of homemade, human-powered flying machines in September for the Red Bull Flugtag.
The event, named for the German word for “flying day,” will feature flying machines, each piloted by a participant that will flutter off a 30-foot ramp and then splash into Lake Carolyn.
Notable crafts that have been built for the event in other cities include a winged dog, a giant soccer ball, an oversized iPhone and a “Wagon family truckster” replica from “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
The Irving City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 7 to approve a special event permit for the one-day event.
The maiden flight of the Salamacow was not without its difficulties during the Red Bull Flugtag event held in Miami, Fl 2012. Photo courtesy of Red Bull USA.More than 150 people are expected to participate when the event comes to Irving on Sep. 21, according to City staff, and the event could draw up to 50,000 spectators.
Teams will be judged in three categories: creativity, distance and showmanship. Rules include building a machine that floats and uses environmentally friendly materials.
That same day in September, other Flugtag events will take place across the country, including in Long Beach, CA, Chicago and Tampa, FL.
The record for the longest flight in a Flugtag competition is 229 feet. The record was set May 28, 2012 in Germany.
Comprised of students from the Art Institute of Miami, Team $2.50 is hopefully not a comment on much a fine arts degree is worth on the open market. Photo courtesy of Red Bull USA.
Although this archaic looking flying machine did not beat the 229 ft record, at least it crashed in the San Francisco water with style. Photo courtesy of Red Bull USA.
