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Flying
Elvis at Red
Bull Flugtag - San Francisco - Oct 26, 2002
The
Introduction
Flugtag
means "Flying Day" and started in Austria in 1991. Since then,
this annual competition has traveled the world with the basic purpose being to
launch a pilot off a pier in a way that defies common sense. Sometimes
this involves construction of a glider of sorts, sometimes not. Entries
must be less that 450 lbs, less than 30' wide, and human powered.
The
Cast and Crew
The Inspiration
Elvis has returned on the 25th anniversary of his supposed death. Check
out the sightings around SF. Realizing
that his old Memphis Mafia crew have long since disbanded, he advertised on Craigslist
for a team.
The Application
The newly formed team submitted an application for Elvis's 2002
"Viva San Francisco" Comeback Tour. We have it on good authority
that he intends to launch himself back onto the charts. Also, Elvis
believes that complicated flying machines are unnecessary for this, because he
didn't need that stuff 25 years ago.
The Acceptance
We got accepted!! Did anyone have any doubt? Now, all we have to
do is win the prize!
The Construction
A 24-foot ramp was constructed in the Oakland ghetto after countless runs to
Home Depot and the local hardware store (which was indistinguishable from a
boarded-up building when viewed from the front). The final contraption
weighed approximately 650 lbs, so we propped it up on 8 tiny casters for "easy"
rolling into place.
The Interview
As his Memphis Mafia make final adjustments to the ramp, Elvis spoke briefly
with the emcee. He explained that the purpose of this flight is to launch
himself back on the charts and he's going to fly all
the way to Graceland, baby.
The Debacle
Elvis, in a gold Cadillac fit for the King, began his bold journey to launch
himself back on the charts. Well, he didn't make it back on the charts; he
didn't even make it to Graceland. He did, however, make a backwards somersault,
flip his car off the ramp, stand up in a daze, and make a flying leap off the
end of the ramp. Check out this amateur video.
The Sponsors
Red Bull sponsors Flugtag.
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