Thu, Aug 07, 2008
Scott Kasprowicz, Co-Pilot Took Off From NYC Thursday
Morning
They're off! Pilot Scott Kasprowicz and co-pilot Steve Sheik
departed New York at approximately 3:00 am Thursday morning in an
attempt to set a new speed record for an around-the-world
helicopter flight; the goal is to complete the trip in under 14
days. The record setting flight -- dubbed "The Grand Adventure" --
is being attempted in Kasprowicz's twin engine stock AgustaWestland
Grand helicopter.
"In order to succeed in a trip like this, you need an aircraft
like the Grand that has above average fuel efficiency and
exceptional reliability," said Kasprowicz, the former CEO of Texel
Corporation. "What will make this record setting flight even more
meaningful is the fact that we will make the trip in a factory
standard aircraft that has not been specially outfitted or modified
for this kind of application."
Unlike previous flights to break the world helicopter speed
record, no additional fuel tanks or mission specific modifications
have been added to the helicopter to improve performance.
The Grand Adventure will cover over 20,046 nautical miles, 15
countries, 24 time zones, 30 states and make 65 fuel stops. The
crew will travel eastbound across the Atlantic into Europe via
Greenland, traverse western and eastern Europe into Russia, cross
14 time zones in Russia, return to North America over the Bering
Strait and cross the US and return to New York City.
During their 14-day journey, Kasprowicz and Shiek will also
attempt two other world record flights -- Washington, DC to New
York and New York to London.
As ANN reported, in February both men broke
the speed record for the fastest transcontinental helicopter flight
from New York to Los Angeles. The record breaking flight was
achieved in 15 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds resorting to only
six fuel stops and covering 2,139.8 nautical miles.
During his journey Kasprowicz's aircraft must cross every
meridian on the globe... but is prohibited from travelling into the
poles, due to time and distance advantages.
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