The Benoist Brawlers team is gearing up to take flight in front of a crowd of 80,000 spectators at the upcoming Red Bull Flugtag event in Tampa. This exciting competition will take place on the water outside the Tampa Convention Center on November 9, with the fun starting at noon and the main event starting at 1 p.m. The best part? It’s free for everyone to attend, so make sure to get there early to secure a prime viewing spot.
Despite the recent challenges posed by hurricanes, Pinellas County has shown incredible resilience, with its beaches gleaming and local businesses working hard to serve the community. The community has come together to support these small businesses, highlighting the strength and unity of the region. Nearly 80% of hospitality establishments in Pinellas County’s coastal areas have already reopened and are eager to welcome both locals and tourists.
One of the teams participating in the event is the Spirit of St. Pete, representing the resilient spirit of the region. Inspired by the historic Benoist XIV, which completed the world’s first commercial flight from Tampa Bay waters over a century ago, the Spirit of St. Pete honors the birthplace of commercial flight. Crafted by local engineers and aviation enthusiasts, the vessel showcases a blend of history and innovation.
The team behind the Spirit of St. Pete includes pilot Liam Hawkins, who also flies the famous art plane “The Mooney Anomaly.” The team is dedicated to honoring Tampa Bay’s aviation history and aims to create an unforgettable story of resilience through their participation in Red Bull Flugtag. Despite facing challenges from the recent hurricanes, the Benoist Brawlers have put in extra hours to ensure their craft is ready for the competition.
Red Bull Flugtag is a unique competition that challenges teams to design, build, and pilot their own human-powered aircraft. These homemade flying machines, powered solely by muscle and gravity, take off from a platform above water with the goal of achieving maximum distance before splashing down. Teams are judged on criteria such as flight distance, creativity, and showmanship, making the event a thrilling combination of engineering prowess and entertainment.
The Red Bull Flugtag event promises to be a spectacle of creativity and innovation, with teams showcasing their unique flying machines and putting on entertaining shows for the audience. Stay tuned for updates from I Love the Burg to be a part of the exciting Red Bull Flugtag experience and witness the Spirit of St. Pete take flight in honor of Tampa Bay’s aviation history.