Photo credit: Letizia Barbi/Creative Commons
Holly McCoach/Staff Writer
Have you ever seen a flying panther? Well, now is your chance.
On September 21, the National Redbull Flugtag Competition, a competition to see who can build the most creative successful flying machine, will soar into South Beach.
More than 30 teams are attending, including five of the University’s mechanical engineer majors, Patrick Alvarez, Juan Barrera, Andres Cardenas, Kevin Goldvarg and Daniel Oliva. Together, they are “The Flying Panthers,” and for them, the sky is literally the limit.
“We were a pretty nice group, we were all pretty motivated,” said junior Kevin Goldvarg the pilot. “Right now, basically what we need to do is make sure we have enough money for the project.”
With one pilot and four team members pushing the makeshift aircraft to fly over a 30-foot platform, The Flying Panthers knew they would find great interest in participating.
“We all have a common interest in the aerodynamics and aerospace part of engineering. We are interested in the aerodynamics of mechanical engineering. We are friends, so most of the time we are together,” said Andres Cardenas, a junior mechanical engineering major.
Cardenas’ job as a Flying Panther is to determine how to improve lift on the aircraft, what airfoil to use and how to reduce the weight.
The judges of the competition are not only looking for the distance the aircraft flies, but the creativity put into building it, as well as a short skit and mission statement that is required of any team applying. This skit includes approximately half a minute of music and dancing to capture the judges’ attention. Safety and knowledge of the competition is also important.
“There [are] a lot of regulations. We can’t do a lot of stuff like enclose the pilot or use glass and other materials,” said Cardenas. “There’s a whole book called the Pilot Handbook that we have to read.”
Assignments and tasks are also given out by Red Bull and medals are awarded to the teams on their website.
Assignments include maintaining a growing amount of followers and for the teams to be as active as possible in social media.
On the day of the event, airplane shows accompanied with music will be included in the entertainment, as well as the competition of the teams itself. Three prizes will be awarded: A skydive with the expert free flyers of the Red Bull Air Force for 1st place, a VIP seating at a Red Bull-titled sporting event for 2nd place, and the opportunity to attend a Red Bull-titled dance, music, or art event. Winners are determined through the judges’ scores.
As for their aircraft, The Flying Panthers are in the design process, receiving assistance from Professor George S. Dulikravich and Professor Richard Zicarelli. Interested sponsors are free to contact Cardenas at acard080@fiu.edu.
Attendance to the Red Bull Flugtag Competition is free to the public for students and faculty interested in seeing The Flying Panthers take off.
holly.mccoach@fiusm.com
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