VIRGIN ATLANTIC have come up with a novel way to celebrate the Wright brothers centenary. The Gatwick based airline is to sponsor the annual ”Bognor Birdman” event in August. This infamous competition challenges individuals to achieve human powered flight from the end of the pier in Bognor Regis, where competitors aim for the coast of France although they traditionally land in the English Channel ” with the furthest distance achieved to date standing at 293 feet. This compares with Orville Wright”s first motorised flight on 17 December 1903 of just 120 feet. Mind you brother Wilbur flew nearly 1000 feet later the same day. This year”s Bognor event is likely to attract record entries. First prize is ”25,000 plus two return Upper Class tickets on Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard says he might even have a go himself. ABTN says stick to balloons!
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com