Arlington, Virginia, March 6, 2009 -- Each year the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) tracks dozens of world and national aviation record attempts, certifying new records as the official record keeper for United States aviation and ratifying them with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale  (FAI), the world air sports federation.  At the end of each year, under the direction of our Contest and Records Department, we create a list of those we consider “most memorable.”

Here is our list for 2008:

Speed Around the World, Eastbound  (for turbine engine helicopters weighing 6,614 < 9,921 lbs)
Flying an AgustaWestland Grand helicopter, Scott Kasprowicz and Steven Sheik made an eastbound trip around the world, making 73 stops before returning to New York on August 18.  They averaged 84 mph, beating the previous record of 55 mph set in 2004.

Distance  (for hot air balloons with a volume of 600 < 900 cubic meters)
Lifting off from Grand Forks, North Dakota, Rich Jaworski kept his AX-4 hot air balloon aloft for nearly 21 hours, landing near Siren, Wisconsin on January 20.  He flew a distance of 259 miles, beating the previous record of 212 miles set in 2001.

Speed Over an Out and Return Course of 1,000 Kilometers  (for 15 meter gliders)
After being released from a tow plane above Rosamond, California, on March 27, Jim Payne flew his Schleicher ASW 27 sailplane to a point 315 miles away--and then returned to Rosamond.  He averaged 106 mph during the flight, and beat the previous record of 91 mph set in 1993.

Speed Around the World, Westbound  (for piston engine airplanes weighing 2,205 < 3,858 lbs)
Departing Orlando, Florida, in a Mooney M20J on December 3, CarolAnn Garratt and Carol Foy flew to San Diego, Lihue, Guam, Oman, Djibouti, and Cape Verde, returning to Orlando on December 11.  They averaged 115 mph, beating the previous record of 54 mph set in 1988.

Speed Over a 3 Kilometer Course  (for piston engine airplanes weighing 1,102 < 2,205 lbs)
Making four low passes along the main runway at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Jon Sharp flew his racing airplane, the Nemesis NXT, an average 356 mph.  His flight during EAA's AirVenture on July 30 beat the previous record of 331 mph set in 1989.

Speed Over a Recognized Course, Transcontinental, West to East  (for piston engine airplanes weighing 2,205 < 3,858 lbs)
Flying from San Diego, California to Jacksonville, Florida, Alexander Coley and Timothy Wadsworth averaged 300 mph in their Mooney M20TN.  Their flight on January 26 beat the previous record of 222 mph set in 2002.

Aeroplane Efficiency  (for piston engine airplanes weighing 1,102 < 2,205 lbs)
Departing from Indianapolis, Indiana on March 1, Kris Maynard flew his Aviat Husky A-1A along a triangular course of 753 miles, burning 190 pounds of fuel.  Averaging 14.10 Kilometers per Kilogram of fuel, he set the very first performance for this new record.

Total Duration of Flight of Spaceships While Linked  (for spacecraft)
Under the command of astronaut Dominic Gorie, NASA's Space Shuttle Orbiter "Endeavour" docked with the International Space Station on March 13.  After 11 days, 20 hours, and 35 minutes, the spacecraft separated, beating the record of 10 days, 21 hours, 52 minutes set the previous year.

NAA will honor the recipients of the Most Memorable Aviation and Space Records at a special luncheon on March 26, 2009, in Arlington, VA.

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit, membership organization devoted to fostering America's aerospace leadership and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States.

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