RedBull Flugtag comes to Miami

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Amateur pilots re-defined air travel one flight flop at a time.

Thirty teams competed in the Red Bull Flugtag Tournament in Miami's Bayfront Park, Saturday afternoon.

The teams showed off and showed out. The homemade human-powered flying machines soared off a 30-foot ramp before taking a soaking in Biscayne Bay.

The secret to breaking every single rule in the aviation handbook: "It's made of lightweight aluminum foam," said Josh Austin. "Plastic sheeting for the wing and the cart is made out of wood."

The teams were judged on distance, creativity and showmanship.

While everyone ended up in the water, some do it more gracefully than others. The event attracted thousands of spectators by land and sea, there to cheer on the flight crew as they unsuccessfully defied gravity. "Some of them seem to have painted cardboard and attempted to dive right," said Nora Burns. "But others seemed to have really figured out the key to it."

Three teams took home trophies for their ultimate aeronautical failures. But only one special team got their wings from the fans.

The Hurricane Engineers' Angry Birds took home the People's Choice Award. "I'm proud of everything we did," said a member of the team. "I'm so proud of our team, and so proud of our fans."

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