Red Bull Flugtag Dubai: Everything you need to know
It’s been eight years coming, but the Red Bull Flugtag will finally crash land back in the UAE this weekend.
Thousands of spectators will gather at Dubai Creek to watch the Flugtag Dubai as 49 teams put their hand-made flying machines to the test.
It’ll be a case of sink or swim as each of the plucky pilots are pushed off a nine-metre platform in their DIY flying machines in a bid to soar for as long as possible across the water below.
It’s too late to enter (would you really want to?), but there’ll be plenty to see, whether you’re an aviation fan, or just enjoy watching people nosedive into water.
The distance to beat is a massive 78.64 metres; the standard set by the Chicken Whisperers, who broke the world record in Long Beach, California, in 2013.
But distance isn’t everything. Competitors are also judged on creativity and showmanship, so get ready for some spectacular contraptions and fantastical outfits.
Flugtag facts
180: Maximum weight in kilos of competing aircraft – including the pilot
1992: Year of the very first Flugtag, which took place in Vienna, Austria
Seven: Height of the take-off platform in metres
Eight: Maximum aircraft wingspan in metres
Pictures from past Dubai Flugtags
It’s been eight years since we had a flugtag in Dubai, here’s what the bizarre flying event looked like when it hit the city nearly a decade ago…
How to spot a contender
Aviation specialist and Flugtag technical advisor Lorcan Lynch on what makes a winning team
Team spirit The ideal take-off is with a directionally stable, symmetric force. With four people pushing it’s easy for one side to accidentally push harder than the other – good teamwork and lots of launch practice are essential.
A big push An aircraft isn’t allowed any thrust other than what its team can generate when pushing it off the platform
Eye-catching design Distance alone does not a winner make. The judges will be looking for colour and creativity
Minimal fuss Teams want to use balloons and banners in their designs – but extras like this increase drag and resistance
The lighter the aircraft, the better This helps it to glide rather than plummet
A diminutive pilot Aircraft and pilot together must not exceed 180kg, but it’s always a case of the lighter the better. More important still is the right blend of courage and craziness…
November 27
Dubai Creek Park, Dubai, 1pm, free. Metro: Dubai Healthcare City. redbullflugtag.ae
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