Helicopter Pilot Breaks Transcontinental NY-LA Speed Record | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Tue, Feb 19, 2008

Helicopter Pilot Breaks Transcontinental NY-LA Speed Record

Will Announce New Record Attempt At Heli-Expo 2008

Aero-News has learned a Northern Virginia businessman and helicopter pilot recently broke the international New York to Los Angeles transcontinental rotorcraft speed record at 07:21:30 pm EST on Saturday, February 16, 2008.

Scott Kasprowicz broke the New York to Los Angeles transcontinental speed record with an all-inclusive flight time of 15 hours, 09 minutes and 10 seconds. The previous record, set in 1985, was 19 hours, 00 minutes and 16 seconds.

"We're excited to have set the transcontinental record," said Kasprowicz upon arrival in Los Angeles. "There were many challenges to overcome in this flight including some rapidly changing weather conditions. The ground crews we encountered along the way were terrific. They got us in and out of our fuel stops in great time. We could not have done it with out them."

Kasprowicz, along with co-pilot Steve Sheik, made the record setting flight in helicopter N1US, Kasprowicz's standard factory outfitted, executive configuration AgustaWestland Grand helicopter. The record was validated, recorded and maintained by the National Aeronautics Association.

"The Grand performed perfectly," continued Kasprowicz. "N1US is a wonderful twin engine aircraft with superior speed, fuel economy and reliability. We look forward to many grand adventures and record setting flights in the future."

"We congratulate Scott Kasprowicz on his outstanding achievement in breaking the transcontinental speed record," said Lou Bartolotta, Executive Vice President of AgustaWestland for commercial sales for the Americas. "This record reflects the full extent and performance of the Grand and the capability, reliability, and exceptional quality of AgustaWestland's products. We are proud to have been a small part of this tremendous accomplishment."

Departing from Sheltair Aviation at New York's LaGuardia airport at 04:12:20 am EST, Kasprowicz traveled 2,139.8 nautical miles or 2,462.3 statute miles as he crossed the United States, making six fuel stops along the way. Because it is an international record, the official distance will be recorded as 3,962.8 kilometers.

Fuel stops made along the way included: Butler, Pa; Kokomo, IN; Kirksville, MO; Great Bend, KS; Alamosa, CO and Grand Canyon, AZ. With an average airspeed of approximately 141.3 knots, or 161.8 miles per hour, Kasprowicz arrived at Landmark Aviation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 07:21:10 pm EST on Saturday, February 16. Kasprowicz reported 10-15 knot headwinds throughout the flight.

From Los Angeles Kasprowicz and Sheik will fly N1US to Houston to be formally recognized by AgustaWestland at the Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2008 tradeshow. At the Heli-Expo, Kasprowicz plans to officially announce his next world record speed attempt -- a less than 17-day around-the-world flight in helicopter N1US. The record attempt, which Kasprowicz has named The Grand Adventure, is scheduled to launch in summer 2008.

Kasprowicz, 55, is the founder and former CEO of Texel Corporation, a communications systems integration company headquartered in Reston, VA, which he sold in 1999. Kasprowicz is also the former Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the State of Virginia under Governor Tim Kaine. He took delivery of N1US in 2007.

FMI: www.naa.aero, www.rotor.com, www.agustawestland.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.03.25): No Gyro Approach

No Gyro Approach A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the contro>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.03.25)

Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Airborne 05.30.25: Anti-Helicopter Bill, PW Strike Done, All-Electric Bristell

Also: Duffy Wants $$$, KS Airports, Morningside U’s Aviation School, New Airstrip In ID After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several US Representa>[...]

Airborne 05.29.25: ATC Bonu$, VX4 eVTOL Flies, Starship 9 Test

Also: Hermeus Quarterhorse MK1, Seaplane Rating Guide, Vietjet A330neos, SFO Wacky Weed Bust As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC