Heat Four Airmageddon

Welcome to Airmageddon, TV's ultimate test of airborne skill...

The other way! ..and radio controlled mayhem.

Whoa!

32 teams of wannabe aviators from across the UK...

Yay!

..will do battle in the Airena with their customised drones.

Only those with the skill... Yes!

..the luck and the aerial courage

will make it through.

Reach for the skies!

It's Airmageddon.

Welcome to Airmageddon - not just an evolution in entertainment,

but a total revolution with rotors spinning at 9,600 rpm.

As always, we've got four teams facing extinction and three rounds

of drone-on-drone action for you here in the Airena.

It's a Darwinian survival of the fittest with only the finest pilots

and most confident of wingmen winning through to the semifinals.

The strong grow, they evolve.

But the weak, they're grounded, like dodos.

BOTH: Let's meet our aviators.

First into the Airena today are Air Farce One,

Alexander and wing-dad Hugh.

Then, into this dimension visit Team Parallel, Mark and Jack.

The Bad Wolf prowls in, the next guys are Matthew and Joshua,

while last through the smoky doorway is Rebecca and her dad Andrew

and they are Algorfaians.

And here they are. Are you guys ready to take on Airmageddon?

Yes! Excellent stuff.

So, our first team, Team Parallel are here.

Mark, a lot of our aviators have got pets,

but I hear that you've got quite an interesting pet.

What have you got?

I've got a giant African snail called Gary.

A giant African snail called Gary.

Is Gary going to be cheering you on at home? Hopefully.

Well, you better put on a shell of a show for him, then. Ugh...

Rachel?

Oh, Will's jokes are getting so bad.

Anyway, we have Bad Wolf over here with Joshua and Matt and I think,

you know, a bit of team talk, are you going to huff and puff

and blow all these other three teams out of the Airena?

Definitely. Definitely? Matt? Yep.

Absolutely. Well, confidence from these two.

So these are our four teams who are about to climb

from the primordial soup.

Three will survive, one will be washed back to obscurity.

And here's my Personalised Interactive Gyrocopter

with the lowdown on our first round.

PIG, take it away.

So, we all know this bit.

This is the section where the PIG takes you round the Airsault Course.

Right? So, you go up into the air, through the first gate,

round the pillars and it's in to the Letterboxes of Luck.

Once through there, it's up to the next gate,

then down into what looks like a Jurassic swamp.

Through the fog you fly, then rise up to the third gate

where you make like a pterodactyl

and swoop down to the entrance of The Vortex.

But it ain't just a vortex.

It's a Tyranno-vortex!

ROARING

Another gate, another pillar,

and then it's over to the finish line

before a big meteor crashes down on all of us.

That was a joke.

Simple enough.

All of our teams face extinction and whoever puts in the slowest time

or least distance will be grounded

and adding to the mayhem, as always, our resident drones.

So who's up there with our teams?

'Scanning Selector...

'It's the GUARD.'

The vast, grey, stern machine.

The GUARD ain't got no friends and he don't want none neither.

All right? Leave it, he's not worth it!

So, the GUARD is on duty and hoping to slip past him unnoticed

and post a record time, it's Team Parallel.

CHEERING

First up, it's Team Parallel.

Two brothers from Preston.

Mark is a sporty mathematician,

Jack is a swimmer and a reader and they both share a giant pet snail.

Huh?

Their drone design is mainly stickers as they decided

painting it would be too much work!

That's commitment, boys.

What's with the team name? Where does that come from?

Well, we're from a parallel universe.

You're from a parallel... Is that where you met Gary?

Yes. Your giant snail. That's amazing.

In your parallel universe, do they fly drones?

Have you been practising flying drones? Oh, yeah.

They're very good at flying drones.

They're the professionals. Really? Yes.

Where we're from, there's usually lots of flames

and flying through hoops and stuff,

so are you ready for that? Yeah. Yeah. All right then, guys.

Aviators, stand by.

Is anyone else confused?

Fire up your motors, ref up your rotors, you're clear for takeoff.

They are all about parallels, huh?

I bet they're looking forward to making friends with the Letterboxes.

'Team Parallel launch in three, two, one...'

And they're off.

Let's hope Team Parallel don't need a parachute in this round.

No? Anybody? Tough crowd!

Straight through. Bit wobbly there.

But probably different laws of physics in the parallel universe.

But they are pretty fast too.

Wingman Jack is giving some good advice.

These brothers from another universe

are really working well together on this one.

I wonder what Gary the snail is called in the parallel universe.

Maybe Barry the snail.

Nice.

Team Parallel approaching the parallel bars of the Letterboxes.

That's one down.

Right a bit. Nicely done. Nicely done.

Tentatively down for the second though.

Not taking any risks here.

Cheeky.

Oh, that is close!

Up, up, up.

But as suspected, they make very short work of these Letterboxes.

Through the final one there.

Are you flying in parallel with them, Air Marshall?

'Affirmative.'

Little bit of readjustment needed for the second gate,

but once on track, they stay on track.

Coming down to the foggy corridor. Pretty foggy there.

I wonder what the weather's like in the parallel universe.

Probably sunny.

Oh, it's the same. Of course, it would be the same.

But different? I'm confused.

It's so smoky they can't see.

That's the idea, Will. Oh, they've bounced off a pillar.

Does that mean they've bounced off a pillar

in the parallel universe as well?

This is getting ridiculous.

Either way, they found it difficult on this side of the cosmos.

We pick them up at the third gate

where they've got over their steering malfunction.

Down we go. Down we go.

Thanks, Jack.

Tricky Vortex.

So, into The Vortex.

Cautious, but steady. The Vortex... Now straight up.

Up and out.

Quick out of The Vortex.

That's what's required. No problem.

Oh, they look good against that light, look at that!

Approaching the final circular gate.

Nothing parallel about that.

And, yes, they're through.

And they slide past the GUARD there, then the Marshall...

Back a bit, back a it.

They go round the final pillar.

And across the line and they're home.

Excellent work.

So, they got lost in the fog for a moment there,

but otherwise, not a bad run at all.

Well done.

Team Parallel, whoa, Mark, good one.

Jack, that was pretty good.

How did it feel out there, guys?

I was really nervous, but I think I got through it.

You've got the nerves settled now, haven't you?

Yeah. So you're feeling a bit more confident? Yeah.

You had two little problems, didn't you,

in the fog bank when you hit two of the pillars?

What happened there?

Well, I couldn't really see where I was going because of all the smoke,

but I kept my cool and I carried on, so...

Yeah, I was good. Jack, were you trying to help at that point?

I was trying to, like, direct him, but it was

a bit hard because you couldn't see anything because of the fog.

The Bad Wolf are next and they're also brothers.

Joshua and his wingman Matthew.

Joshua can build robots that solve puzzles.

I'm having trouble with the crossword today actually,

maybe he can help with that.

"Flying robot, five letters, begins with D."

They worked in secret on their inspired Wolf design,

not letting anyone into their workshop until it was finished.

And once finished, they had a cup of tea and did a crossword.

It's Bad Wolf. Joshua and Matt.

So, Joshua, you've been up here before.

You've practised, you've flown a lot of drones. Yeah.

But how different is it when all the lights are on and the Airena

is looking like this and there's all this tension?

It's incredibly different.

It's nothing like it was when I first saw it.

It feels like a totally different atmosphere.

Really? Do you reckon you're up to the challenge? Yeah, I think I am.

Have you got confidence in your aviator?

I think so.

Ha-ha! He pondered that, but in the end, he does.

All right, good luck to both of you. Thank you very much.

You're going to need it out there. All right, aviators, stand by.

Let's hear a howl for the Wolf.

WOLF HOWL

'Bad Wolf launch in three, two, one...'

And the big Bad Wolf is on the prowl.

OK, good. You're clear for the hoop.

Decisive wingmen instructions there.

It looks like Team Parallel are afraid

of what the big Bad Wolf can do.

Good. OK, try not to fly into anything.

Thank you, Matthew.

Flying into things is a no-no in the world of drone flying.

GUARD, Air Marshall, all watching the Bad Wolf slip through

the first of the Letterboxes.

Steady movements onto the second.

Now up. Up.

And yes, that's good.

Through the hoop!

Wingman seems to know where the Wolf is supposed to go.

Up. Joshua, through the hoop.

Even if he doesn't know that it's a gate, not a hoop!

But Matthew seems hellbent on bypassing the gate.

He nearly missed the gate. I know.

It can be confusing up there, Will. Lots to think about.

Looks like you're ready to go through the tunnel.

Of course he's ready. He was born ready. Go through.

And so into the smoke, the big Bad Wolf doth charge.

Maybe come a bit closer to us.

Bit of zigzagging going on here.

Through, he's through.

So we see from the Air Marshall's vision,

the Wolf rising to meet the third gate.

No messing around on this one.

Up and through.

Go down to The Vortex.

Now then, it's The Vortex.

He huffs, he puffs...

And up.

And The Vortex is no more-tex.

Awooo!

One word gate. Can the GUARD do anything to hold the Wolf?

Go through, go through, go through!

Through the gate and... What's this?

Air Marshall, watch out!

The big Bad Wolf thinks you're a little piggy and he's going to...

Fly, Air Marshall, fly like the wind!

Oh, no!

It's carnage.

Air Marshall, what has he done to you?

So near to failing epically,

but The Bad Wolf crosses the line

despite crashing into the Air Marshall.

Like two tango dancers in an embrace, they hit the deck together

and it's a trip to the chop shop for the Air Marshall.

Dear, oh, dear.

Bad Wolf, come in.

You guys certainly lived up to your name, didn't you?

Blew that Air Marshall off course.

What happened?

Went to sprint to the finish line and slammed into the Air Marshall.

Were you that much, like, tunnel vision that you didn't even see it?

No, I saw it, I just wanted it to get out of my way.

'Time confirmed.'

So, looking at the first leaderboard with two minutes and 24,

Team Parallel are sitting pretty on top of The Bad Wolf.

That can't be comfortable!

So, Air Farce One are the car enthusiasts Alex and his dad Hugh.

Alex is a mad for it uni-cyclist and can juggle while he rides.

He's fallen off a few times, but he shouldn't be juggling with his feet!

Their drone design uses reflective material.

These two definitely aren't hiding.

Air Farce One, Alex?

Yeah, that's correct. Yeah.

I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but that might suggest

that you're not really taking this seriously enough.

Are you truly appreciating the gravity of this situation?

This is Airmageddon!

We were a bit crazy at first, but now it is serious.

It's down to business now, is it?

Real serious now. We've done our practice and we're ready to go.

Are you ready to fly? Yep. OK, then.

Aviators, stand by.

And PIG's in the air,

deputising for Air Marshall after his horrendous Wolf mauling.

Fire up your motors, rev up your rotors, you're clear for takeoff.

BEEPING

Here we go.

And Air Farce One are in the air, but with no knowledge

of the previous times set, what can they do? OK, that's looking good.

Quick to make it through the first gate

and they're onto the Letterboxes already.

Nice line-up on that. Wing-dad Hugh is playing it calm on the approach.

Air Farce One easing through the first Letterbox there.

Right into the GUARD's vision. Not put off by him, though.

Oh, that's pretty close. Maybe they were.

And it's up to the third one.

Smooth!

That's much smoother than before.

That's nicely done.

Through the gate, down to the foggy corridor.

This obstacle could make a real farce of this run for Air Farce One.

Sorry. Yeah, nice and steady through here. It's looking good.

Have Hugh and Alex got what it takes to glide her through gently?

Pretty low there. Couldn't even see them on the camera.

And he's out and up.

Well done, guys.

When you're ready.

PIG coming in for a last look.

Through the gate.

Look at this.

So far, this is really fast.

Smooth as you like.

The Vortex can smell fear,

but this drone has clearly washed its pits

and applied roll-on deodorant.

Bit further. Up and away.

Towards you.

Nearly hit the house drone. Don't worry about it.

Well, actually do worry about it.

Hitting the house drone will make him very angry.

Up to the last gate and then down for the last pillars.

No time for the GUARD to even give him a menacing glare.

He's through and the finish line is in sight and over they go.

Whoohoo!

No farce, just fast. Nice and quick around the course,

with enough time to stop and say hello to the PIG.

You weren't a farce at all.

That was superfast, I'm going to say.

Alex, how did that feel? Feels great.

Did you expect to go that fast?

Not really, no. And you made it look really, really easy.

Was that because you've had a lot of practice

and experience of flying drones in the past?

Yeah, I've been flying my little drone

around the hotel room this morning.

Is that what you've been doing? Oh, my gosh, amazing!

'Time confirmed.'

So, it's all very close on the leaderboard with Air Farce One

looking safe as houses with 1:52,

but Wolf looking precarious with 2:31 and Team Parallel,

well, they're safe in the sandwich.

Last up today are the Algorfaians.

Rebecca is a happy-go-lucky cheerleader who wishes

she had the power to heal.

Let's hope there are no wounds to lick at the end of this run.

Wing-dad Andrew is a taxi driver,

so he should have the Knowledge to get round this course.

And with the Union Flag flying, they should have plenty of support.

So, Rebecca, you've been waiting in the wings

while all the other teams have gone.

What's that like?

Like, it's really scary, because your nerves build up,

but then you're also getting more excited all the time

because you just want to get out and start going on the drones.

Get flying, yeah, exactly.

Andrew, has that given you some time to kind of talk tactics

as the wingman?

Yes, we've had a lot of confidence boosting,

but I think I was getting more nervous

and Rebecca was getting less nervous,

so we'll see how it goes. All right.

Well, I think we should get you in the air

before the nerves get any more built up.

Are you ready to fly? Yeah. All right, then. Aviators, stand by.

GUARD is prepped and ready.

So are the Algorfaians.

Rebecca waiting for the count to start.

BEEPING

And they take it up into the air.

This young aviator loves cheerleading, so give me an A!

Give me an L!

Give me a G! Is it G?

She seems to have got lost. Come on, Algorfaians!

OK, let's speed it up through the Letterboxes.

GUARD and PIG watch on, willing her forward.

This is cautious to say the least.

Definitely second-class post.

Through these Letterboxes.

Let's speed this up again.

To the foggy corridor.

Can see out of the control tower at all.

Oh, she hits a post and hovers.

Hold it, hold it.

Come on, Rebecca. There is a time to beat here.

You're against the clock. You'll probably see a shadow.

Good, good, good. Right, you're through.

And...

she's through.

She seems a little bit scared. Wingman calms her down.

It's exactly what he's there for. Right, let's move on to The Vortex.

This really is tricky now, The Vortex.

It seems to be a little bit...

No, we're up.

And we're out of The Vortex.

That's great.

Last gate, go on, Rebecca!

Yes, come on, Rebecca!

So close! Through!

It takes a while, but she gets through the gate,

just clipping it to send her into a mini panic.

What does the PIG think?

OINK!

Fly it, fly it!

Anyway, she takes it round the last pillar and over the line.

Fair play to Rebecca and Team Algorfaians.

Good to see all the other teams applauding her there.

A couple of knocks and bruises,

but ultimately a clean, if not speedy round.

'Time confirmed.'

The results are in. Air Farce One top the board.

Parallel and Bad Wolf are safe as well,

as the top three come within 40 seconds of each other.

And with 4:47,

it is unsurprisingly the Algorfaians in the drop zone.

Rebecca, you are grounded.

So, Algorfaians have become a footnote

in the annals of drone aviation.

But three teams are still making history.

And that will happen in Balloon Cutters

as this is a new game on Airmageddon.

Balloons on strings, right? They've got to pop them.

No! They've got to keep them intact.

The aim is to break the string with the razor scissors on their drones

and let them float up into the roof.

First-team to free five sets goes through

with the all-important advantage in the Dogfight.

The team with the next highest goes through too

and the team with the least, to the ground they must go.

These BUGs are a nightmare, causing chaos and spreading panic

like little helicopters at an aeroplanes-only convention.

Well, this game's got me excited

and it looks like these guys are just as excited as me.

Aviators, am I right? Yeah!

Excellent stuff.

Aviators, stand by.

Fire up your motors, rev up your rotors, you're clear for takeoff.

Welcome back, Air Marshall.

'Thank you. But I'm keeping my eye on these guys.

'Yes, that means you.'

Awkward!

'Aviators, stand by.

'Launch in three, two, one...'

So up they all go, heading towards those balloons.

Now, this is a new game on Airmageddon,

so we don't know how, but...

Oh, look at that!

Reds straight away there free their first set of balloons.

Where are the other teams?

We see Blues there using all their concentration

in guiding the cutter towards the string.

And nice, did you see that shaving action there? Yeah.

I wouldn't know, I've got a beard.

Right, right, right, now go in.

Reds get another bunch into the air, but where is the big Bad Wolf?

It's tough. They do need to get into the optimum zone

to be able to cut those wires correctly.

Come on, Yellow! You made mincemeat of the Air Marshall.

Surely a piece of string should be easy.

Yes, that's our first. There you go. Well done.

Points on the board.

But here come the Blues.

And they seem to have the hang of it now.

All the drones hovering about a bit right now.

Yellow are going in for some more balloons

and seem to making a bit of a meal of it.

But look at Reds there, sliding through

to snip their string in one swift move.

Hang on... They haven't cut it at all.

They seem to have got it attached. Right, right. Now go in.

Look at them frantically trying to loosen the string.

Carry on, Jack. Forwards.

Now, if those balloons get caught in the rotors, it could spell disaster.

And look at Blue there.

Their trusty nodding motion definitely does the trick.

Reds finally loosen the string and they regain their lead.

This is very exciting.

The Blues are on a roll...

Oh, and Red have burst balloons with their rotor.

We all know that is not allowed.

Look at this.

Oh, like cheap cheddar through a grater.

We all know the expensive stuff crumbles.

Meanwhile, Blues are in the zone.

The string-cutting zone. And they've freed all their balloons.

They're on five points.

So, it's down to Red and Yellow.

This is interesting, as Red have destroyed a set of balloons,

despite being way in the lead.

But the Yellow team could take this.

The big Bad Wolf really isn't having much luck though. Forward.

They tug and they hug, but they can't snap the string.

Uh-oh! Oh, poop!

Poop indeed! That's the one.

Oh, no.

Oh, they've blown it.

They take out some balloons with their rotor too.

And the Air Marshall has called it. It's an illegal manoeuvre.

That means there isn't enough balloons for the Bad Wolf

to make it through and their chance has popped.

They've got their history, but the rules are the rules.

And that balloon carnage is why

The Bad Wolf will be howling at the moon all the way home.

Sorry, fellas.

'Scores confirmed.'

That was a cut above.

The Blues charged ahead,

booking their five second advantage in the Dogfight.

The Parallels join them in the fight,

but Air Marshall's favourites, The Bad Wolf, are out of puff.

Unfortunately, that does mean that Team Bad Wolf, you guys,

despite some valiant flying - some quite aggressive flying there

into all the balloons and the strings - you guys are grounded.

So, there's never a dull moment with Bad Wolf around.

Guys, just tell us what went wrong in that Round Two.

Our drone got tangled in one of the balloons.

We just weren't able to cut them quick enough and we did pop

two of the balloons, which was a bit annoying, but...

Well, exactly. There's a positive... His fault.

What did you just say?

I think it was his fault!

Why?

He's the one who didn't listen enough.

What were you telling him? To go forward, not up.

Matthew doesn't mince his words, unlike Joshua, who minces balloons.

So, time for an evolutionary showdown

between two teams and two drones.

Both flying machines are armed with hi-tech targeting systems

and they have to get as many hits on their opponent as possible.

For supremacy, for survival, this is the Dogfight.

So, here we are.

No wolves, but it is a Dogfight.

After arming your laser cannons, take aim and take out four

of your opponent's lives and a place in the semis is yours.

But be warned. Take four hits yourself,

and you're yesterday's news.

'Scanning Selector...

'It's the DRAGON.'

What happens when you cross a lizard with a barbecue,

stick it in the tumble dryer and throw in some USB sticks?

Yes, it's a DRAGON.

So, guys, don't forget, if you stray into the no-fly zone,

the DRAGON will engage.

And that is not something you want to happen.

But, teams, I want to know, have you got any final words for each other?

Team Parallel?

You're going down! Literally.

Ooh!

We've got it under control.

Literally. LAUGHTER

Wow! These guys are LITERALLY ready to fly,

so let's get them up in the air.

Aviators, stand by.

Check your systems,

calibrate your sights.

This is the Dogfight.

You're clear for takeoff.

And DRAGON is here to keep two flame-grilled eyes on proceedings.

He is literally ready to spit fire on any false moves.

'Three, two, one.'

And car-mad Alex lifts Air Farce One into the air.

Let's hope it's not car-crash flying though, or this five second

head start will be as useful as diesel in a petrol engine.

Mark launches Team Parallel into the fight.

Quickly through the activation gates to activate its lasers.

As the two aviators size each other up to find a settled position,

remember, it's the wingmen that have their thumbs on the triggers,

so teamwork is key.

Alex and Hugh look like one single, mean fighting machine.

Team Parallel look like they're...

Well, they're parallel!

But no blows actually landed yet.

It's like a stare-off competition.

Facing right at each other and no-one seems to fire.

Oh, no!

Hold on to your underpants cos Team Parallel are unleashing the fury.

It's older brother Jack taking control

leading Mark out of his comfort zone.

Air Farce One is anything but farcical as it hits volleys back

with a brace of blasts.

Hugh hits home there.

Yes! Good work.

Now, grab a pen and take notes for the replay.

A steady, if exposed, firing position.

Quick on the trigger.

Hit and move for cover. And Mark is seething.

He's been schooled there and needs to get back in the fight.

The drones exchanging fire as the atmosphere goes

from static to electric in here.

What do you mean they're the same thing?

Both teams struggling to lock on and that's the kind of loose flying

that makes DRAGON spit fire.

Literally!

Both drones facing off to draw fire and counter.

And, yes, Team Parallel take DRAGON's hint and hit home.

It's one-all.

Look closely, and you can see Mark gets Parallel into

a high-flying position before Jack times his strike to perfection.

Straight back into the action

and this is crossfire on another level.

2-1 there!

The next point will be crucial for either team.

I'm trying! So you should, Jack.

Half your lives have gone down the plughole

and you can't be a giant snail on the trigger.

Air Farce One gets a decisive shot to make it 3-1.

Team Parallel are angry now.

Oh, that's a return hit. 3-2.

Mathematical, methodical, menacing.

Come right, come right, come right.

Jack and Mark used Air Marshall's move to distract Air Farce One

and get a strike in under the radar.

3-2.

The Reds have built momentum here.

Can they apply pressure to Alex and the Family Farce?

Farce go fast.

And that's... That the last life gone.

That's the winning shot.

Parallel hear the final bell as they get taken out for good.

Yes, Hugh, don't look surprised, mate! You've won!

The multi-angle replay showing us just how clean a hit that was

despite Air Marshall being in the way, DRAGON turning up the heat,

and Mark manoeuvring Team Parallel like a snail dodging a lawnmower.

Watch out, Gary!

'Dogfight score confirmed.'

Here's how it went down.

Team Parallel took two lives out of their opponents,

but Air Farce One cleaned the boards

with four lives stolen and victory in the bag.

Well done, guys.

Yeah, unfortunately, Team Parallel,

that does mean that you guys are grounded.

But you were runners up in a really, really tough competition.

What was it like out there being in the Airena and flying these drones?

It was a lot of fun. I had a great time.

I just wish it could have gone on longer, but it is what it is.

That's the way the game goes. Mark? Yeah, just amazing experience.

Great. Well, you were fantastic aviators. Well done.

And congratulations again, Air Farce One.

You did win the Dogfight, which means you're in to the semifinal.

Congratulations, guys. We'll see you, then.

But for now, it's time for Airmageddon to power down.

And for these guys to step up.

My Airmageddon experience was really fun and exciting.

It was a little bit nerve-racking, but it was really fun overall.

Practise, then pretend you know nothing and start practising again.

I nearly crashed,

but I kept it cool and I carried on and I got through.

We worked together as a team really well

and whatever has been asked of him, he's done really good.

'Airmageddon, power down.'