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Microsoft's Windows glider takes flight (photos)

A group from Redmond is in Long Beach, Calif., preparing to take part in Saturday's Red Bull Flugtag human-powered flight competition.

Ina Fried
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Ina Fried
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1 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

Setting up the Phoenix

A group of workers from Microsoft's Windows unit is among 34 teams competing in Red Bull's annual Flugtag flying competition.

The team arrived in Long Beach, Calif., on Friday to set up the Phoenix ahead of Saturday's event.

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2 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

An early sketch

One of the early sketches for the Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix
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3 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

Another sketch of the Phoenix

One of the early sketches of the Phoenix shows it complete with Windows colors and logo.
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4 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

Hanging out

The team built and designed the Phoenix in roughly three months, utilizing an unoccupied seaplane hangar at one of the team member's houses on Lake Sammamish.
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5 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

The Phoenix starts to rise

Microsoft kicked in a little money for the glider, but the whole project used only about $1,000 in parts including lots of Gorilla Glue and duct tape, according to project member (and Windows blogger) Ben Rudolph.
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6 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

Getting some color

The Phoenix is adorned with the colors that make up the Windows logo as the craft starts to take shape.
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7 of 7 Microsoft Windows Project Phoenix

Trying things out

Pilot Ali Driesman checks out the completed Phoenix.

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