Red Bull's competition for homemade, human-powered flying machines is said to originate from a similar event, "Birdman Rally," which was invented in the small English town of Selsey in 1971. Red Bull's first Flugtag (which means "flight day" in German) was held in 1991 in Vienna, Austria. Russia has adopted the championship since 2009.
On August 13, Red Bull Flugtag was held in Moscow for the fifth time.
The event took place at the Krylatskoye Rowing Canal, a canoe sprint and rowing venue located in the Russian capital.
Participants of the championship have to create homemade flying machines to fly down a six-meter-long ramp and land in the water.
All aircraft must have a wingspan of no more than 10 meters and the maximum weight must not exceed 150 kg.
The self-made flying machines also can’t have a motor. They should be completely human-powered – set in motion only by the force of the pilot.
A total of 42 teams were cleared to take part in the event. This year, crazy designs included giant diplomas, dragons, wagons, spaceships, a blue hippo and even a giant tube from a toilet paper roll!
A participant of the Red Bull Flugtag 2017 festival jumps off a springboard in Moscow, Russia, on August 13.
Spectators during the Red Bull Flugtag 2017 festival of homemade flying machines in Moscow, Russia, on August 13.
Competitors were judged according to three criteria: flight distance, design creativity and showmanship. Ingenuity and self-expression counted for more than the aerial capabilities of the flying machines.
The three teams with the highest scores were awarded first, second and third place. In addition, this year’s festival featured a new nomination, “The most fashionable flight of the summer.”
A participant of the Red Bull Flugtag 2017 festival jumps off a springboard in Moscow, Russia, on August 13.
