Thirty teams ready to fly, crash, and dance at Miami water event

Local residents can watch thirty teams attempt to fly homemade craft over Biscayne Bay this Saturday. The event, known as Red Bull Flugtag, is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Bayfront Park. Admission is free for those attending in person. A video recording will be available online shortly after the competition concludes.

The competition requires participants to build and launch their designs from a 30-foot ramp. Judges evaluate the entries based on three specific criteria: flight distance, creativity, and showmanship. While some craft travel 10, 100, or 200 feet, most participants expect to crash into the water. Daniel Figueredo described the event as a spectacular show of people crashing into the water.

Host Mr. Red noted that while some teams achieve distance, most fall. He guaranteed that all entries will splash. The event takes place on Halloween. Teams have spent recent weeks designing and constructing their flying machines in local workshops and homes.

One group, the Cuban flyer, is partnering with Sanguich restaurants and the 'A Day in Miami' podcast. Daniel Figueredo said his team will wear guayaberas and Panama hats while holding fake cigars. He described their entry as the world's first flying sandwich and the world's largest Cuban sandwich.

FIU engineering students participating as Team IEEE are focusing on aerodynamics and weight reduction. Felix Fraile explained that the team designs for worst-case scenarios to ensure strength. The structure uses horizontal and diagonal members, specifically triangles, to provide an advantage. One student helped build a website to test flight simulators. The team is cutting as much weight as possible to maximize flight performance.

Another team plans to dance to Pitbull's 'Damn, I love Miami' during their entry. Felix Fraile said they will wear bald caps and fake suits. Eduardo Moya expressed confidence that local teams will perform well, though he acknowledged the possibility of losing to the world record. He joked that if they do not win the flight, they will win the dance.

The pilots have prepared for the inevitable splash. Eduardo Moya joked about the cold water and wet underwear that await the flyers. He mentioned that one pilot has good life insurance. Daniel Figueredo said he will pray on the way down. The teams are ready to risk their lives for a chance at the title.