The Benoist Brawlers team is set to fly in front of 80,000 spectators at the Red Bull Flugtag in Tampa. This exhilarating event unfolds on the water outside the Tampa Convention Center (333 S. Franklin St.) on November 9, with festivities beginning at noon and the main event kicking off at 1 p.m. It’s free to attend, so fans are encouraged to arrive early for the best viewing spots.
Despite two recent hurricanes, Pinellas County remains resilient, with its beaches shining and local businesses working tirelessly to serve the community. Residents have rallied to support these small businesses, showing the strength and unity of the region. Almost 80% of hospitality establishments around Pinellas County’s coastal areas have already reopened, according to VSPC, and are ready to welcome locals and tourists. Representing this resilient spirit is I Love the Burg’s Red Bull Flugtag entry: the Spirit of St. Pete.
The Spirit of St. Pete shines like Pinellas County
Crafted by local engineers and aviation enthusiasts, the Spirit of St. Pete honors the birthplace of commercial flight. The team, a collaboration between I Love the Burg and Visit St. Pete Clearwater, howcases a passion for history and innovation with this uniquely crafted vessel. Team members include:
- Liam Hawkins – Pilot
- Eli Lockwood – Ground Crew
- Dominic Cacolici – Ground Crew
- Jason Fraley – Ground Crew
- Lauren Zientarski – Ground Crew
Pilot Liam Hawkins also flies the renowned art plane “The Mooney Anomaly” and designs data centers “for the freakin’ MOON.” Inspired by St. Pete’s rich aviation history, the team draws from the legacy of the Benoist XIV, which completed the world’s first commercial flight from Tampa Bay waters over a century ago.
Red Bull Flugtag’s celebrity judges, including NHL stars, Olympians, and NFL Hall of Famers, will witness the Spirit of St. Pete’s takeoff, aiming to honor Tampa Bay aviation’s past and present. “Red Bull Flugtag goes beyond flying,” the team says. “It’s about creating an unforgettable story of perseverance, just like the Benoist flight.” Despite challenges from the hurricanes, which led to lost production time and personal losses for crew members, the Benoist Brawlers have put in hours overtime from their day jobs to complete the craft in time for Red Bull Flugtag.
What is the Red Bull Flugtag?
Red Bull Flugtag is a wildly inventive competition that challenges teams of five to design, build, and pilot their own human-powered aircraft. These homemade flying machines, crafted to soar purely through muscle power and gravity, take off from a platform above water, with the ultimate aim of achieving maximum distance before splashdown. Each team’s unique creation showcases imagination and engineering prowess, adding a touch of spectacle to every flight.
The event is judged in three categories: flight distance, creativity, and showmanship. A team’s success depends not only on how far their craft flies but also on the ingenuity of their design, which can earn up to 50 points. Adding to the excitement, teams perform a 30-second show to capture the audience’s attention and score up to 50 points in showmanship, making Red Bull Flugtag as much about entertaining as it is about flight.
Follow I Love the Burg for updates and to be part of our Red Bull Flugtag experience!
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