Marquette dental students to compete in Red Bull Flugtag event in Chicago
Story by Olivia Morrissey
It is 8 1/2 feet tall from crown to root. Precisely constructed wings, which bear a striking resemblance to tubes of toothpaste, affixed to its enamel bring its width to nearly fifteen feet. Just above the pulp cavity sits a reinforced seat made for the pilot of this uncommon craft: none other than the Tooth Fairy himself.
This massive molar is no dentist’s mascot, but a homemade project started by six friends in Marquette University’s School of Dentistry back in late August, after long hours of studying. They call themselves the Frequent Flyer Smiles, and Andrew Welles, Jimmy Kolstad, Joe Karlen, Michael Stangler, Tim Gainey, and Tyler Quinn are here to help the Tooth Fairy fly again with their “giant flying tooth.” Made of PVC pipes, more than 100 hours of construction, and several cans of Red Bull, the entirely man-powered craft will be launched off a 30-foot-high pier in Chicago’s Burnam Park on Saturday, September 21 in the first national Red Bull Flugtag event.
The word “flugtag” is German for “airshow,” and what a show it will be come Saturday. Teams comprised of one fearless pilot and crew members will shove homemade gliders off a sky-high ramp into the waters of Lake Michigan below. Each will be judged on total distance flown, creativity, and people’s choice votes. Before takeoff, teams will perform a short skit to introduce their flying machines. The Frequent Flyer Smiles are tight-lipped about specific details of their skit, but promise the Tooth Fairy will make an appearance and dentists will be well-represented.
To be considered for competition in the event, teams submitted a short video demonstrating their team concept and acting abilities. Of the 300 submissions, only 34 were chosen to compete. The Frequent Flyer Smiles is the only team from Wisconsin competing in the event. The unusual competition and the genuine enthusiasm of the team has brought the support of hundreds on social media websites and in the local community, for which the teammates say made the flying tooth operation possible. J K Automotive donated workspace and storage of the craft. SkipperBud’s wrapped the wings for the long voyage to Chicago. Sobelman’s is also sponsoring the team. Representatives from Red Bull have also been instrumental in gaining local support for the team and ensuring all runs smoothly before takeoff on Saturday.
“It has been an awesome experience, and we will definitely do it again,” says Quinn, noting that the distance of the competition will not deter this team of future dental professionals.
A team of people who aspire to work in the field of perfecting smiles is no doubt a little perfectionist when it comes to building a giant tooth, resulting in dozens of reworks of the craft’s original blueprint. Still, the team insists each member has brought something valuable to the table.
“If we didn’t have Tim’s creativity or Tyler’s knowledge of flugtag, for example, we wouldn’t get anywhere,” says Kolstad, “Everyone added their own flair to make [Frequent Flyer Smiles] what it is.”
Even after long hours of construction and countless revamps, the teammates will not be disappointed to see their hard work sink into Lake Michigan.
“We’re just happy to showcase what we’ve done for a weekend. That makes it all worth it in the end,” says Gainey.
The Chicago event is free to the public and will be broadcast to hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. The gates open at 11 a.m. and flights start at 1 p.m. Starting Thursday, September 19, fans of Frequent Flyer Smiles can cast people’s choice votes by texting “Chi6” to 72855 (standard text messaging rates apply).
Red Bull will be hosting an a viewing party for those who cannot make it to Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Replay Sports (2238 N Farwell Ave.). All are welcome.
Check out the Marquette team’s audition video here:
Frequent Flyer Smiles | Red Bull Flugtag USA 2013
- Follow them on Twitter: @ffsmiles for live updates
- Follow them on Facebook: Frequent Flyer Smiles for photos of their craft building progress
- Vote for Frequent Flyer Smiles for People’s Choice starting Thursday, Sept. 19 by texting “Chi6” to 72855 (standard text messaging rates apply)
Learn more about the contest here:
National Red Bull Flugtag 2013