
"Red Bull Flugtag (German: flight day, airshow) is an event organized by Red Bull in which competitors attempt to fly home-made, human-powered flying machines, size-limited to around 10 metres (33 ft), weight-limited to approximately 150 kilograms (330 lb). The flying machines are usually launched off a pier about 9 metres (30 ft) high into the sea or body of water."
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Four teammates and I collaboratively designed, fabricated and "flew" our flying machine at the 2012 Philadelphia Redbull Flugtag event. We were selected out of hundreds to take part in this once-in-a life-time experience. The goal was to create an operable flying craft and to impress the audience with home made costumes and a choreographed stage show. Each team member represented a character from the original "Batman" television show - I being the team lead and pilot was appointed as "Batman." With Robin by my side we flew our plane with the "Joker, Riddler and Catwoman."
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In honor of one our heroes - we built a "bat plane" reminiscent of the early Adam West era batman. The craft was designed to share elements from the iconic "Batmobile" that Adam West drove. The body was shaped by heating and cooling sand filled 1.5" sch. 40 PVC conduit and secured at the joints with custom fabricated aquarium grade 3, 4 and 5 way connectors. We skinned the plane in "Tyvek" house wrap and black sheet bed linens so it maintained a light frame and would pick up on from the wind gusts below.














