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Panama City Flugtag Save Email Print
Posted: 4:47 PM Jul 10, 2008
Last Updated: 9:38 AM Jul 11, 2008


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Some local emergency workers are spreading their wings, figuratively speaking. Five Panama City fire fighters are participating in this year's "Flugtag" in Tampa, sponsored by Red Bull.

The July 19th event encourages participants to create human-powered flying machines. The local crew's dubbed their contraption "The Little Engine That Could." Naturally, it resembles a fire truck.

Flugtag teams launch their creations -- and themselves -- off a deck 30 feet above Tampa Bay, in an attempt to beat the current record of 155 feet of air flight. Most go straight down.

Matthew Lopez is one of the PC Firefighters taking part.

"First time, we have one shot one try and we're going to practice on July 19th in Tampa Bay. Beforehand, Dusty,our pilot is going to get some glider lessons from XL Kites and Surf, free of charge, but, other than that it's a one time shot."

Good luck to the local guys.

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Posted by: Team Member Seth Location: Panama City Beach on Jul 10, 2008 at 10:22 PM
We work for Bay County Fire Department

Posted by: Kenny Location: Trailer on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Must... avoid... making... "going... down... in flames"... joke.

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