For the first time in 12 years, Red Bull is bringing Flugtag back to North Texas.
Flugtag, German for “flight day,” is an annual event in which “fearless flyers” launch their “handmade, human-powered” aircraft off a ramp in the hope of sailing to a gentle descent into the water below.
Oftentimes, the opposite happens despite the hundreds of hours teams put into creating their innovative aircraft.
This year, the event returns to Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas. Red Bull held Flugtag at the same lake in 2013 and will revisit it on Saturday, Sept. 13, to judge this year’s entries on flight distance, originality and showmanship.
Red Bull said about 30 teams have registered so far, including DIY daredevils, pro-aviation engineers, veteran Marines, and even a squad of groomsmen. They expect about 30,000 people of all ages to show up to see who tumbles directly into the lake or who glides to victory.
Succeed or fail, each team’s defining moment lasts only seconds and is bound to bring a few laughs.
Admission is free, though VIP packages are available for $75 per person. These packages guarantee seating in the shade and include other perks like a custom Flugtag hat, a private bar and, best of all, private restrooms.
Red Bull Flugtag
Red Bull Flugtag
Red Bull Flugtag in Las Colinas, 2013.
In addition to the main event, Red Bull’s skydiving team will drop in over Lake Carolyn. There will also be an all-ages Fan Zone, an F-1 display, a pop-up shop, food trucks and water refill stations.
If you cannot attend in person, the event will also be streamed on Atmosphere TV beginning at about noon. For those in person, the doors open at 11 a.m.