The Red Bull Flugtag at the V&A Waterfront

Red Bull gives you wings: human-powered homemade flying machines take off in the Mother City

After a ten year hiatus, the 2012 Red Bull Flugtag, a competition that challenges self-certified pilots to take off in self-built, handmade flying objects from Jetty 1 at the V&A Waterfront, returns to Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday, 9 December 2012.

For those who are not quite clued up; teams of four (one daring pilot and three ground crew) set out to build a glider or flying machine from scratch that is creative in design, environmentally-friendly,  human-powered (no motors, rockets or ‘sneaky’ elastic bands allowed) and, well, capable of taking to the skies (at least for a second or two). Then on the day of competition, pilots launch themselves and their contraption off the edge of the 6-m high jetty ramp and into the sky and then the Atlantic, much to the spectators’ and judges’ delight.

Contestants are then judged on three vital aspects: distance, creativity and showmanship. The ultimate goal is to glide, fly or flap as far as your wings will take you, before plummeting into the Atlantic. If you can pull that off in a creative aircraft while getting the crowds to cheer you on (points are awarded for standing ovations), you’ll be well on your way to winning.

Since these daring pilots and their trusty ground crew will inevitably end up in the V&A Waterfront’s harbour, the aircraft must be made unsinkable; no heavy metal or loose parts - materials must be environmentally-friendly.

The first Red Bull Flugtag was held in Vienna, Austria in 1992, styled after the Birdman Rally held in Selsey in the South of England in 1971. It was a roaring success and has become a highlight on aspiring aviators’ calendars since; today the crazed competition takes place in over 35 cities around the world.

Apply for the 2012 Red Bull Flugtag Challenge

While the applications for the 2012 Red Bull Flugtag are closed, supporters and spectators can look forward to crazy contestants and hilarious flying objects competing for first, second and third place.  Entrance is free.

Red Bull Flugtag

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