Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

This summer, Red Bull Flugtag will land in Tampa Bay:

On July 19, the outrageous human-powered flying competition known as Red Bull Flugtag will once again soar over the Sunshine State, but this time it will touch down in Tampa Bay’s waters. While Red Bull Flugtag’s 2004 stop in Miami saw its share of empanada gliders, flying toilets and bonsai penguins, it’s up to Tampa Bay to produce a new set of airborne heroes.

Flugtag, which means “flying day” in German, is the only competition where the creative, brave and often slightly crazy get to pilot homemade flying machines off the end of a 22-foot ramp and into the great wide open – or, as is ultimately the case, the great wide waters below. Thirty teams of up to five members each will get the chance to prove their chops, shake their feathers and test their engine-free inventions at The City Park at Tampa Convention Center.

The first Red Bull Flugtag took place in Vienna, Austria, in 1991. Since then, more than 35 Flugtags have been held around the world — from Ireland to San Francisco — attracting up to 300,000 spectators. The record for the farthest flight-to-date currently stands at 195 feet set in 2000 at Flugtag Austria. The U.S. record stands at 155 feet set in Nashville, TN in 2007.

It seems like it is quite the spectacle. Check out the top ten crashes (works best in IE).

OK, so now you gotta get started on your flying machines. Teams are judged on three criteria: distance, creativity and showmanship. What constitutes a craft is purely up to the imagination of the participating teams. Past Red Bull Flugtag entries have included a pregnant cow, a diaper-delivering stork, a pimped-out Cadillac, a giant Oompa Loompa, and yes folks — a lobster named Larry.

A total of up to 5 people can be on a team (4 pushers and 1 pilot). Only the pilot may be in the craft at time of launch and must be 18 years of age or older. Have no fear, those younger may participate as team member! Remember, all crafts must be entirely human powered - no catapults, slingshots, or stored energy. Applications will be judged on criteria similar to event day.

Go fill out an application by the MAY 16 DEADLINE, and bring your craft to Convention Center Park in July.

By the way, if you do enter the contest, contact me. We may want to sponsor an entry in the thing.

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