Monday,
June 29, 2009
Fastest transcontinental flight in a LSA-world
record set by Matt Hansen and Jessica Scharle
EL CAJON,CA,USA--Pilots Matt Hansen, 23, and Jessica
Scharle, 24, successfully completed a transcontinental
flight in a Light Sport Airplane (LSA) from Jacksonville,
FL to El Cajon, CA within a single day-setting the world record
for the fastest
transcontinental flight in a Light Sport Airplane
(LSA).
Photo: Matt Hansen and Jessica Scharle
stand next to a special light sports aircraft after completing
an 1,813-mile flight from Jacksonville to San Diego. / Photo
provided by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (enlarge
photo)
The pair departed Cecil Field Monday
morning at 0601 EDT, made five stops along the way, and touched
down at Gillespie Field near San Diego at 2222 PDT for an
elapsed time of 19 hours and 21 minutes, including time for
fuel stops. Total flying time was over 17 hours.
Hansen said they took turns piloting and
navigating until the sun went down with about two hours of
flying time left. He then finished at the controls of the
plane his grandmother named the Peregrine.
Scharle said she made the trip for the experience
and to help get the word out about Able Flight. Hansen, a
recent college graduate who is hoping for a career as commercial
pilot, said he loved the logistical challenge of planning
and executing the trip.
The purpose of the fastest
transcontinental flight in a Light Sport Airplane
was to demonstrate that an LSA is a viable mode of transportation
for long distance flying, and to draw attention to Able Flight's
nonprofit flight training scholarship program for people with
physical disabilities.
Such aircraft can't weigh more than 1,320
pounds or fly faster than 120 knots at sea level under normal
conditions.
Matt Hansen is a 23 year-old Commercial
pilot and flight instructor who has been very active in training
people with disabilities to become Sport Pilots.
Twenty four year-old Jessica Scharle is an Able
Flight Scholarship recipient, and one of Hansen's
former students who earned her Sport Pilot certificate in
2008.
Jessica was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex
Congenita, a condition that essentially fused all of her joints
together, and has overcome obstacles throughout her life and
has taken on challenges, such as flying, that many would not
attempt.
The first female Able
Flight Scholarship recipient to earn her pilot certificate,
Jessica shared equally in the piloting of the aircraft on
this historic trip.
They are hopeful that their record will
encourage the NAA to create a category for Special Light Sport
Aircraft (factory built).
Their Peregrine FA-04 is a factory-built
Special-Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) and carries just under
thirty gallons of fuel.
The aircraft used for the flight is equipped
for nighttime operations, and can be flown at night by a private
or commercial pilot. That allowed Hansen to complete the last
segment after dark.
The crew alternated flying duties along
their 1813.5 nautical mile route from Florida to California.
The route was designed to avoid all restricted airspace and
any area that would require flight above 10,000 ft msl for
obstacle clearance.
Related world records:
Youngest
passenger to fly in microgravity-world record set by Jules
Nader
Most
countries visited-world record set by Kashi Samaddar
Fastest
journey to the South Pole-world record set by Todd Carmichael
Youngest
to solo airplane and helicopters on same day-world record
set by Errick Smith
Most
miles paddled in 24 hours on Stand Up Paddle Board
-world record set by Justin DeBree
Longest
Stand Up Paddle board journey-world
record set by Justin DeBree
Biggest
New Year Party-world record set by Rio de Janeiro
Longest
distance travelled by train in 24 hours-world record set by
Corey Pedersen and Mike Kim
Fastest
Amphibious Vehicle-world record set by Sealegs
Longest
wheelbarrow journey-world record set by David Baird
Fastest
around the world flight-world record set by Caroll Ann Garratt
and Carol Foy
Monday, June 29, 2009
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