National Red Bull Flugtag Spectacle: September 21st.

At locations in Chicago, Washington D.C., Long Beach, Miami, Dallas/Ft Worth teams have been busy building their entries for the Red Bull Flugtag competition this weekend.  Check here for the location near you.

Literally, the German word Flugtag translates to "Flight Day" or "Air Show", and the aircraft and pilot will take to the air.  It is doubtful, however that they will actually stay in the air for long.

The Red Bull Challenge

In Red Bull's version of the Flugtag, aptly described as "The Biggest Splash in Aviation History" handcrafted, one of a kind flying machines will be launched off of a 30' ramp into oceans and lakes around the U.S.  By launched, I mean pushed or shoved.  No motors are permitted.

Gliders are constrained to a maximum wingspan of 28' and a maximum weight of 400 pounds including pilot.  Four team members will provide the power for launching.

Judging is based on distance, creativity and showmanship.

The teams competing at the various locations ranges around 30 at each location.  They hail from every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, proving that there are DIYers (Do it Yourselfers) everywhere!  In true DIY fashion, teams are provided with official Red Bull Flugtag Duck Tape.

Response Team: The Legendary Flying Machine

Twenty eight teams are scheduled to compete in Long Beach, CA which is rich in aviation history.  It is at Daugherty Field (what is now the Long Beach airport) that rallies were held in the early days of flying.  Cal Rogers completed the first trans-continental flight (with stops) landing in the Pacific Ocean off of Long Beach, crashing his way across the continent for 84 days.  A brave man, that Cal Rogers!

Last week, I visited with Long Beach local team, The Legendary Flying Machine at the team's garage workshop.

Team members George Schano (Manager of Legends sports bar), David Copeley (Team Captain), Eric Johnson (Visionary and co-Team Captain), Erik Bakker (Chief Engineer), Steve Gugerty (Gugerty Illustration and Design) have been working to maintain the memory of the Spruce Goose, a one-of-a-kind, only-ever-flown-once, wooden aircraft - the vision of Henry Kaiser and design of Howard Hughes.

So our dad friends will be dressed as a pilot, a spruce and three geese.  If we're lucky, they may even dance for our cameras. 

Follow the team on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LegendaryFlyingMachine

There's still time to book an airplane ticket to Chicago, Washington D.C., Miami FL, Dallas/Ft Worth and my favorite location: Long Beach, CA.

Please help to play the WackyCapNTrish Game:
Trish Tsoiasue writes about her many interests and the people she meets.  She is currently playing an online game to get photos of the WackyCapNTrish card in as many places as she can.  If you go to the show - and even if you don't - please take a photo of a scene with the WackyCapNTrish card showing (in the photos of this post) in the foreground and post it on the WackyCapNTrish fan page!  We'll repost to our Pinterest site!  Visit to see where we've been!  You'll be amazed!