Red Bull gets ready for take-off

THE Red Bull Flugtag will return to Irish shores this summer when it takes flight from Dún Laoghaire Harbour on Sunday, May 20.

The event will see over 50 teams attempt to push the limits of human flight, as they launch their handcrafted flying machines in front of over 40,000 spectators.

Red Bull Flugtag challenges the brave and brainy to design, build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 9-metre high flight deck, in the hope of soaring into the wild blue yonder…or more often, to plunge into the waters below.

Flugtag, which means ‘flying day’ in German, pushes the envelope of human-powered flight but competitors need more than airtime to reach the podium.

Teams are judged on flight distance, creativity of the craft, and showmanship.

These criteria have inspired flying tacos, prehistoric pterodactyls, and even Snoopy and the gang to grace the Flugtag flight decks!

 In 2011, Dublin celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Red Bull Flugtag series.

 If you are interested in participating, applications open on February 21.

Five-member teams can apply for a chance to compete at Red Bull Flugtag 2018 by submitting flying-machine plans to www.RedBullFlugtag.ie

The deadline to submit craft designs is on Saturday, March 31.

 Applying to participate in Red Bull Flugtag is free. Pilots and participants must be 18 or older. For more information, including applications, rules, photos, and video footage from past Red Bull Flugtag events, visit www.RedBullFlugtag.ie 

For a taster of what to expect on 20th May, click here