Daring young women build a flying machine for Flugtag

Building their flugtag machine
Chicks-on-a-Stick is one of 37 teams competing in the 2010 Red Bull Flugtag on Harriet Island in St. Paul. The team's five female members have spent more than 100 hours building their amateur flying machine.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

About 40,000 spectators are expected to watch the Red Bull Flugtag competition going on this afternoon on Harriet Island in St. Paul.

Flugtag, which means "flying day" in German, challenges teams to design, build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 30-foot high flight deck, in hopes of going airborne for more than a few seconds. At some point, they end up in the water below.

Flugtag competitors are judged on more than just their time in the air. Points are also given for creativity and showmanship.

We've followed one team called Chicks on a Stick as they prepared their "Flying Pickle Dog" to compete.

Dear reader,

Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.

Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?

It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
BBC World Service