Dad-mageddon: A Father's Day Special Airmageddon

Welcome to Airmageddon and the Airena.

Normally, this hallowed hangar plays host to young aviators

and their wingmen, who tackle a series of games

with their hi-tech quad-copters.

But today, it's the Dad Special.

-Yes, three daring dads...

-Bring it back, Grandad.

..and one grandad, are on the remote controls.

But will they be remotely in control?

I don't know what's going on!

And can they teach their offspring a lesson?

That way, that way.

Or will it be a crash course for our senior servicemen?

If you thought dad-dancing was dire, ha!

This is Airmageddon, the Dad Special.

Yes!

Welcome to a very special revolutionary

instalment of Airmageddon.

Yes, in the world of drone competition,

there have been murmurings of discontent.

The dads want their turn.

Their kids have been having too much fun, apparently.

Yes, some of our adult wingmen

have been very vocal about this.

They've given us some attitude.

The once-gentle banter has turned into unbelievable boasting.

"I could do better than that," they've claimed.

"Why can't I have a go?" they've pleaded.

"Really?" we've said. "Prove it!"

Don't get us wrong, the kids are still in charge,

but now our parents have got hold of the controls.

And they really have to do as they are told

if they know what's good for them.

-BOTH:

-Let's meet our aviators!

First out, it's the Wild Racers,

Rory and Simon.

Team Infiniti next.

Ami now the aviator, still led by Umar.

Team Ace - grandad Steve aviates - by Marcus.

And Area 51, Michael and Brandon, our final identified flying duo.

So, aviators, you asked for it.

-Are you ready to fly?

-Yes!

So, Ami, you've been here before.

But how different is it standing in the Airena knowing this

time it's all on your shoulders, big guy?

Very, very daunting. It looks crazy.

-It's going to be very hard.

-Excellent stuff.

We've got Team Ace over here. We've got Steve and Marcus.

Marcus, how much confidence have you got in your grandad Steve over here?

I'm confident, but I just don't want to get too confident.

Definitely not.

Steve, are you ready?

-Yes, I'm ready!

-Yes, he is ready!

He's ready! Super ready!

One thing hasn't changed, though,

my Personalised Interactive Gyrocopter.

Yes, PIG, and not his dad, is about to give us

a flyby of the course. Go on.

The Airsault Course has been matured, if you like,

ready for our newly promoted aviators.

On offer - the ubiquitous gates with a twist,

an added horizontal one.

The Letterboxes of Luck will ask

just who can deliver,

before propelling through a smoking corridor.

Eyes right - the horizontal gate.

Then the vicious Vortex.

Added to the top, a gate ready to discombobulate.

Then over the finish line to get the final time.

Will it be sublime?

I do love a rhyme.

But sometimes I just go on too long and mis-time.

So, four very nervous dads, four very experienced wingmen.

And the Airsault Course in a go condition.

But I'm sure I've forgotten something. Ah, yes.

One of our resident drones will be taking off

to join them in the mayhem.

Let's find out who.

WASP.

Young WASP was first introduced to jam sandwiches

by his dear old dad Hornet,

but his sweetness stops there.

This pugnacious pest is a couple of jam sarnies

shy of a full picnic.

Taking the course first is Infiniti.

Umar and Ami may have swapped places,

but their drone is the same.

It's a custom-painted Beijing Olympic Stadium design.

-It was fast as lightning for Umar...

-Yeah!

Can Ami make it as fast as Usain Bolt?

How are you feeling?

Very terrified!

So, Umar, this is your chance to really help your dad shine, OK.

Because you were one of the fastest fliers we had in series one.

How are you going to make sure that he goes nearly as quick as you did?

-Just go fast and just listen to what I say.

-That's good advice.

Listen to your son.

Aviators, stand by.

So this is it.

The first of the dad-tastic specials.

Air Marshall, is your old man an air marshal, too?

I have no father.

I do have a creator, though.

Oh, a creator?

A robotic scientist called Kevin.

Did he treat you like a son?

No, he sent me away for programming.

Sorry, old chap.

Me too.

Commencing launch in three, two, one...

First thrust. First thrust.

Forward, forward.

Slowly. Go left.

A bit forward. Forward. Forward.

We're used to Aminur the Animated jibber-jabbering away,

but not today.

Thrust. Up, up, up.

No, no, no. Left stick, left stick.

Left stick. Left stick.

To the right. A bit more.

Umar telling Pops what's what.

I thought he'd gone into the flames then.

To the left. Forward, forward.

He seems to have got it back under control.

He was getting mighty confused there.

I'm not so sure, Will.

He's been flying all over the shop.

Or, should I say, Airena?

Hopefully, they can get back on track towards those pesky Pillars.

Forward, forward, forward.

A bit to the right. Now to the left.

Left it is, right?

To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left.

OK, OK.

I think he wants it left, right?

Now down. Slowly, slowly, slowly.

To the left. Forward, forward, forward!

Hot handling with a new horizontal gate.

WASP hoping to snatch and take away their hopes and dreams.

Note the "take away" bit especially.

Now go through. Go through it nicely, nicely.

Don't turn it!

Safe to say he's making a right old meal of this.

Down! Don't worry about the flame. Just put your stick this way.

This way, this way, this way!

Oh, no! Oh, no! Nearly got his circuits fried there!

Oh no!

Oh, go on, go on!

Crazy technique...!

Oh!

I'm not sure what happened. I think he hit the snooze button on himself.

Bouncing along the ground towards the finish line, space hopper style.

-You've got a course record!

-Brilliant!

The slowest ever time! 5 minutes 56.

That's incredible, well done.

Seriously, you should be very pleased with yourself.

Maybe you shouldn't be so hard on your dad,

-because he might make it through to the next round.

-You never know.

You never know, eh?

Second into the Airena, the Wild Racers, Rory and Simon.

Simon used to be a wild car racer, hence the chequered flag design.

But four propellers is a whole lot different to four wheels.

Wild Racers have a history with Infiniti.

They were beaten by them last time.

After Infiniti's poor propeller work, is it time for payback?

So, Rory, how confident are you in your dad's flying ability?

I'm quite confident with my dad's flying ability

because he flies really well.

He's the one who taught me, so...

Does he fly with a flying club, or anything like that?

Yes, he flies with a flying club in Milton Keynes.

OK. So, basically, you need to post a good time,

-otherwise you're going to be the laughing stock.

-Yes, I know.

-The pressure is on. This is for the team.

-Perfect, perfect.

Let's get you in the air. Aviators, stand by!

Rory's favourite subject at school is maths,

so he's counting on dad Simon here

to add up to something in the Airena.

So, this is it. Thumbs at the ready.

WASP is awaiting.

Airena lights turn to full moody mode.

Wild Racers launch in three, two, one...

And they're up!

Smooth riding through the first gate.

-He can actually fly.

-Yes, I think he can. And does!

Very good, very nice.

A few problems down in the... Oh, he seems to have stalled slightly.

Bring it through. Up, up, up.

That's it. Come through.

Yes, good wingmanship from Rory there,

aiding dad through the letterboxes.

-Clear of that one?

-Through.

The old boss has a beady eye on things.

Will he get up to some mischief this time?

Hoop, hoop. Up, up, up.

OK, down, down.

Horizontal gate.

Through the hoop.

Very smooth sailing.

Down. Down, down.

They head towards the world-famous Vortex.

-Oh-ho!

-That's it there.

Now, up, up, up.

Up, up, up.

A lot of hot air around there.

And I'm not talking about the blustering boss himself,

the Air Marshall.

Pipe down, sonny!

-Ooh, dressing me down!

-Through the last gate, that was nifty.

Nifty indeed. He's got to keep the drone under control, though.

Over the finish line...

Oh, did he clip the pole there?

Across the finish line...

But he is one fast mamacita!

Powering past the post, a few big hits to the head.

I think he's clipped the wings of Infiniti.

Here is the Airsault Leaderboard...

The Wild Racers are way out ahead.

Infiniti, 5 minutes 56.

That's got to hurt.

-Have you ever experienced anything like our Airena before?

-I haven't.

That was a total surprise. As soon as it was in the air, I was like,

"Wow, this is totally different to what I expected!"

And then the last post, it was, like, not now! But we got through.

How did you find your wingman?

He was brilliant, I'm really proud of him.

Shouting at me, telling me when I was clear of stuff.

Here are the super semifinalists.

Marcus and grandad Steve, AKA Team Ace,

named after Marcus's dad, Ace.

Steve fixes drones in his spare time.

He can mend them, but can he fly them?

Keen footballer Marcus was top of the league earlier in the series

when he won the dogfight 4-0.

Does Grandad have those magnificent manoeuvres?

-So, you've got some flying experience?

-A little.

-Yes?

What kind of stuff have you done?

Mainly gliders, remote-controlled gliders.

Right, a really nice gentle, steady...

Do you ever fly your gliders through hoops with, like,

massive robotic drones firing sparks at you?

-No, nothing like that.

-You don't do that?

-No.

-This might be tough, then.

-All right, shall we get you in the air?

-Yes.

All right. Aviators, stand by.

I smell spring in the air.

Or is that sting in the air?

The WASP is blooming.

Air Marshall!

Ready?

Teem Ace, still smiling. Here we go.

Team Ace launch in three, two, one...

Lunch? Good call, I'm ravenous!

I said "launch"!

Ah! Beg your pardon.

Still, I fancy some Turkey Twizzlers!

WASP's getting agitated already.

Slow down, slow down, slow down.

Slow down, slow down. Forwards in. Forwards.

Look forwards!

Trying to work out what way he is. Getting a bit lost.

Getting a bit lost. Oh, no.

Oh, focus on the race, chaps!

-Right on the stick.

-Really struggling. He is really struggling.

Right, right on the right stick. Right on the right stick.

Right on the right stick!

That's opposite to left on the left stick, Steve. Come on!

Left, Grandad. No, wrong way.

Look at this, the 360-degree move

-before he enters the gate.

-Somehow, he made it through the hurdles.

That's it, now pull back a little bit. Back.

Like many great sportsmen, the pressure can still get to him.

A bit more right. Now drop the height.

That's it, look at that. Right, now come round.

You're facing outwards. As you come round, get it facing left. Yes.

This is great wingmanship from Marcus, constantly talking,

constantly encouraging.

I'm with you on that, Will.

Keeping Grandad in check.

Keeping him calm.

That's what team-ship is all about.

As the other teams watch on with Rach.

Back towards us, we're going out that way. Back towards us.

Good communication...

Push forwards to stop it.

Through the gate. Towards the line...

I don't think a stopwatch is necessary.

A sundial is more appropriate!

Steve going on a bit of a sightseeing trip.

So, how did they fare?

You made it all the way round!

-That was hairy, wasn't it?!

-That was quite hairy!

How are you feeling, Marcus? Exhausted?

Happy that it's over.

Scores confirmed...

The big daddy here is the Wild Racers, still on top.

Team Ace, captains of composure, in second place.

Infiniti, bottom of the pile.

How was it out there? You did get round, which was great.

Marcus, was there any point when you just thought,

"Grandad, just give me the controls"?

Yes, he said your left and your right

and I was like, "What are you doing?!"

The adults are having problems with left and right today,

-I'll tell you that.

-It's probably my hearing!

But, guys, you have got a good time.

-Second place, you are definitely through!

-Wow, brilliant!

You're going to have to do it all over again.

Finally, Brandon and stepdad Michael with Area 51.

This team lifts the hair on the back of my neck, it's powered up,

gelled up and ready for the skies.

Brandon and Michael are cat lovers.

I wonder whether he's FELINE a wee bit nervous right now.

Can he put the cat amongst the pigeons and get a PURR-FECT time?

Are you hoping to replicate Brandon's previous success

-and do a really great time round here?

-Fingers crossed.

I've done some crash-course flying - a lot of flying, a bit of crashing.

OK, good, I like that. All right, then, let's get you guys in the air.

Aviators, stand by.

WASP is looking meaner than a cut snake.

That's happy for him.

Air Marshall, back after a quick refuel - chocolate digestives,

no doubt. I don't know why, he's battery-operated.

Hey ho, Area 51, get ready!

Stand by, aviators.

Area 51 launch

in three, two, one.

Go!

-Go, Dad.

-That's it, yes!

The other teams watch on nervously.

Through there. Keep going!

Keep going, keep going. Right, down.

First the up, now the down.

Handles the descent well.

Nearly touched the floor there.

-That way, that way.

-Lower than a beagle's belly.

-Now he's coming up...

-Turn, turn!

-Wait he is turning towards us!

-What are you doing?

-Oh, no!

Oh, my goodness.

Straight back down to earth, but he has controlled it.

Thank goodness we had that bullet-proof glass put in.

My goodness, you realise how big these things are.

1.5 metres wide. Someone smells a chance.

Up, up! Not too fast.

Up, up, back! Back.

Great piloting there.

He's really brought this back round, you know.

Don't go too fast. That's it.

-Well, Captain Comeback.

-That's it.

-Now takes on the Sultan of Skulduggery.

-Forwards, forward!

The WASP does not look happy.

Go, go.

-Under the WASP!

-Yes!

-And a good time, too. Well done, chaps.

Scores update...

Let's look at the leaderboard for the final time. Wild Racers on top.

Area 51 just inside the four minutes.

Team Ace - 4 minutes 53.

We must say bye-bye to Infiniti.

Bye, chaps!

Guys, Infiniti just a bit too slow, but you got a course record,

the slowest guys right here!

They're happy, but I think we know what we're going to have to say,

but I'm going to let you do this.

What do you want to say to your dad?

You're grounded, so get out.

Unfortunately, you've got to join him! Goodbye, Team Infiniti!

Infiniti have cast their controls to one side,

turned off their first person views, and retired from the Airena.

I predict that Dad will be going to bed without any supper.

Three teams continue with the mayhem,

and here's PIG with what they will be facing next.

So, what's it all about, PIG?

Ah, speed and turning, he said.

Aviators must speed round the Pillars in their zone,

avoid them and the house drones,

and you'll pick up a peachy point for every lap completed.

The highest score gets a five-second advantage, then into the dogfight.

Well, they say age comes before beauty,

and I think we're going to find out that that's true.

This second challenge may get ugly.

Do you reckon you'll be able to take these guys on,

and get through to the dad fight?

I'm up against a couple of wily competitors,

so I'll have to be careful what I do.

Not too cautious, but not too flamboyant either.

-Yes, exactly, somewhere in the middle.

-Absolutely.

Steve, you're wily, apparently.

How does that feel?

Well, I don't know about that. Maybe a bit of a worm, zigzagging!

OK. A wiggly, wily worm.

All right, guys, we need to get you in the air. Aviators, stand by.

Aye-aye, Captain Michael.

Exuding confidence there.

Looking ready to carry on his winning streak.

Good old grandad Steve, the Duke of Cool.

The DRAGON certainly adds to the heat, though.

I believe he gargled with a chicken vindaloo this morning.

Aviators, stand by.

Launch in three, two, one.

And we are on air. In the air, anyway.

All three up and away.

Dad Simon - classic dad thinking face.

Perhaps the tongue out is aimed at team-mates, or Area 51.

-He's off to a flyer.

-Wild Racers are making short work of this.

-They've already lapped the other two.

-Now start bringing it back.

-That's it. Throttle, throttle, throttle.

-Slow it down, Grandad.

That's it, now slow it down, slow right down. That's it, not too fast.

-Mind his glasses.

-He's down!

That's a big pillar he just smashed into.

Somehow still airborne.

Stay on flight path.

-Yes, thank you for stating the obvious, Air Marshall.

-That's it.

-Forwards.

-Oh, he smashed into the tower!

Forward, forward, forward.

Warning - return to flight path.

Steve and Marcus running in circles, looking for their drone.

Not so much Team Ace, rather Team Eh... Where's our drone?!

What's going on? Oh, they've made it, they've made it up!

They've only got one point and it's game on.

-Oh, my goodness, nearly a midair collision.

-Throttle, throttle.

Oh, no. Nearly hit the DRAGON! He really nearly took out the DRAGON.

A couple of things there, Steve.

You hit the tower, took the scenic route round,

and then you turned Team Ace into Team Face Plant!

And you've invaded a flying reptile's personal space.

Oh-ho, big mistake.

That is incredible! If he's recovered that.

Rock-star recovery.

Meanwhile, Brandon, two things to say to Michael.

Down, down, down, down. Down, down, down!

And he wants to say them a lot.

-Forwards, forwards.

-And again?

-Forwards, forwards.

-Not too fast, you've got to slow down.

-Quite right.

Wild Racers are looking anything but wild at the moment.

Can Simon regain control?

He's now back in position as if nothing ever happened! Oh, what, me?

-Slow it down, Grandad. You're going way too fast.

-You tell him, Marcus.

-No, bring it back, bring it back, Grandad!

-Goodness!

Back, bring it back. Left, left.

That's it, slow it right down. You're going way too fast.

Slow it down.

Forwards, forwards. Forwards, that's it. Keep going.

-Don't go in the way of the fire.

-Wise words.

Nobody wants barbecued drone for tea.

It looks like Wild Racers will stay well in the lead now.

The secret to Simon's success? The concentration face with tongue.

Oh, he got brave. He got too brave!

I thought you were getting brave. I knew you shouldn't have done that!

There's a difference between brave and complacent,

and that's a fine line there, Rory. Methinks Dad just crossed it.

All that tongue-out action.

Seven seconds remain.

Left, left, left.

Grandad Steve is trying his hardest to fall out of the sky.

Right, right, right!

And now he's done it.

Drone down.

It looks like Michael is wanting some pillar-smashing action, too.

It doesn't knock him to the ground.

And that's it, great stuff!

Time for the Laps Leaderboard.

Who came out on top?

Well, I think those results are as we expected.

Wild Racers, you got 15,

so you go through with the time advantage to the dad fight.

Congratulations. Well done.

Area 51, again, you have got through to the next round.

You're going into the dad fight with 9, which is a great score.

Good stuff.

Unfortunately, we are going to have to say goodbye to Team Ace.

Steve, Marcus, you guys were excellent, but...

You're grounded.

CHEERING

It's big daddy dogfight time.

You know the rules - don't get burnt.

Fire some lasers, dodge lasers,

don't mess with those mean resident drones,

hit your opponent four times.

Do all of the above, and victory will be yours!

This is it.

Our two remaining teams are about to battle it out in search of glory.

But who's going to be joining them in the combat zone?

It's the DRAGON.

The don, the duke, the daddy of the drones.

Older than Team Ace, grumpier than Will's mum,

a fireball of a temper,

to match Rachel when she's had her biscuits pinched.

So, teams, you know the drill.

If you stray into the no-fly zone, the DRAGON may engage.

And that's not something you want to happen.

This is the point where we usually ask the children

to say some final words to each other.

But this time, dads,

we want to know, have you got any final words for the opposing team?

I'm banking on my incredible run of luck to continue

and he's going to go down in flames.

Oh, down in flames!

Well, I was going to wish him good luck, really.

I think he's going to need it!

Oh, OK! Turned it on its head just at the last moment.

I can see you're all itching to get out there

and start firing those lasers.

So, aviators, stand by.

Right, then, dad dogfight.

Wild Racers and Area 51,

the two mightiest dads to ever fly an Airmageddon drone.

Wild Racers launch in three, two, one!

Simon and Wild Racers have the five-second advantage.

They're up, they're away,

heading straight for that all-important gate.

Systems activated.

Michael and Area 51 take to the skies.

Whoa!

-I'm so excited I nearly fell down the stairs.

-Crikey, Will!

Area 51 - systems activated.

OK, so we're in the air, we're fully armed.

-He's got to face the right way.

-Area 51 need to turn about.

You don't stand much of a chance facing the wrong way.

OK, Rory?

There it is, one hit.

Yes.

A quick look from the Air Marshall cam

tells us Area 51 have been lasered not once, but twice!

Double trouble!

Turn, turn, turn!

He's got round, he's got round.

Down, down, down!

Brandon's super power will give the ability to fly.

I bet Michael wishes he was a super flyer. Perhaps he is!

They have pulled one back. 2-1!

Both Michael and Simon flying at altitude.

The lack of oxygen perhaps hampered Simon's reactions.

Area 51 are back in!

Both teams sizing each other up.

Simon finds a weakness!

Wild Racers go into the lead, 3-1!

This is tense!

Right, forwards, forwards.

Simon certainly has an advantage, racing models since he was eight.

Could that be a secret? 40 years of training?

Forwards, forwards, forwards!

What's this?

While I waffle on,

Michael swoops in and unleashes his laser talent upon the Wild Racers.

Wow!

3-2, this is exciting!

The Wild Racers and Area 51 line each other up in their sights,

but it was Michael, Brandon and Area 51

who were quickest to the draw.

DRAGON, still fuelled up on that vindaloo, enjoying the sights.

Area 51 on the offensive.

Michael going all out for the win, lets off a volley of shots.

They all missed!

He needs to be careful. But he isn't.

Oh, my goodness!

Dogfight over.

-Dogfight over.

-Dogfight is done.

Simon makes him pay with a hit right in the Area 51 undercarriage.

Scores...

So, we know who is Dad of the Day.

Bragging rights go to the Wild Racers!

4-2 over Area 51.

I don't know about you,

but I am dad-dancing with delight at this dad special.

Rory, your dad has won it for you.

How are you feeling?

Really, really amazed.

Speechless, some might say.

-Oh, my gosh, Simon, how are you feeling?

-Absolutely over the moon.

It was absolutely brilliant. Great result.

You must be super proud of your dad. Well done, guys, amazing stuff.

Great flying from them, but also great flying from Area 51.

Michael, you did really well.

Brandon, is he ever going to live it down, coming home empty-handed?

-It was really good flying.

-That's good to hear.

It sounds like you've done him proud.

-Pleased with your performance today?

-Yes. I didn't expect to get past

the first two on the Airsault Course. Everything else is a bonus.

You were great competitors.

-It's great to have you back.

-Congratulations, Wild Racers.

That means you're the winners of our parent-powered special.

-Well done, guys!

-Great flying all round.

It's time now for Airmageddon to power down.

And for you guys to step up!

Oh, goodness!

Oh, no! Ohh!

Down, down!

Airmageddon, power down.