"I believe I can fly." That, a whacked-out sense of humor, and some metal or wood plus fabric, may get the competitors in the last Red Bull Flugtag of 2010 across the Delaware River between Camden and Philadelphia this afternoon. More likely, it will get them a dunk in the Delaware. Those wishing to actually cross the river are advised to use a boat or the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The world's silliest flying machine competition makes its first-ever stop in the City of Brotherly Love this afternoon, and 34 teams have signed up for a shot at glory. Most of them will in all likelihood stay aloft for less than the 120 feet the Wright Brothers managed in their historic first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.; the longest Flugtag flight ever was 195 feet, set in a 2000 Flugtag competition in Austria. The current U.S. record, 155 feet, was set in Nashville in 2007.
Fancy flyers take off from the Camden waterfront for Red Bull Flugtag 2010
In fact, for many teams, going the distance probably takes a backseat to going down in style. Competitors are judged on flight distance, creativity of the craft, and showmanship.
And as in all of the more than 35 Red Bull Flugtags held since 1991, the Philadelphia entries display plenty of creativity and humor. This being Philadelphia, birthplace of the nation, history makes a showing too, as in the craft designed by the "Founding Flyers" team - an effort to recreate Washington's crossing of the Delaware about 20 or so feet above the river, with Abe Lincoln, Andrew Jackson and Ben Franklin (signing the Constitution) along for the trip. The "Amish" will make a trip in from Lancaster County with a flying buggy, at least two teams will attempt to make time fly - one with a giant cuckoo clock - and even the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote will make an appearance as the "Acme Fire Department."
All of this takes place to the accompaniment of loud music and general laughter as the "gliders" sail off the ramp to meet their watery fate.
The gates to the event on the Camden waterfront open at 11 a.m. The first flight sails off the flight deck at 1 p.m., and the competition is set to wrap up by 3 - subject to the weather; though Hurricane Earl blew past the Mid-Atlantic region with nothing more than heavy surf, today's weather includes strong breezes that may delay some launchings. The competition is free and open to the public.
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