Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Red Bull's Hangar-7

Across from the passenger terminal at Salzburg's airport sit two unique structures -- Hangar-7 and Hangar-8. A part of the Red Bull Energy Drink Empire. Here resides the Flying Bulls' collection of aircraft from the great eras of aviation. They are on display in Hangar-7. Their maintenance facility is Hangar-8.


A good portion of this historic and operational collection consists of a Douglas DC-6, Yugoslavia’s Air Force One, used by Marshal Tito; a North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber; a Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair; a North American T-28 Trojan; an Alpha Jet; a Cessna CE 208 Caravan; and several different types of helicopters.


Hangar-7 is more than just architecturally pleasing aircraft hangar. It is shaped like a wing and its model had to pass a wind tunnel test prior to construction. Hangar-7 also houses an art gallery, meeting space for events, a restaurant and several bars, lounges and cafés. One of the lounges, the 360, is tucked into the ceiling of Hangar-7 and has a very transparent, glass floor. For me, it was quite an awkward sensation. And the restaurant, Ikarus, features top chefs from around the world who literally take over the kitchen for a month at a time.


When in Salzburg, Austria, don't miss a visit to Hangar-7.