My brother (F33A owner) out of Fredericksburg, VA texted me this evening to let me know that his friend, Bill Harrelson, was enroute on his quest to break some aviation long distance record (don't know exactly what record though!). He departed Peru, IN earlier today for Honolulu - non-stop in the Lancair IV that he built. It's a flying fuel tank with 400 gallon capacity.

Bill just left the San Diego coast as I write this. Total flight planned ETE is 22+30. After Honolulu he is off to Guam! Check it out on FlightAware - I can't imagine being stuffed into that small cockpit for that long.

sven, need an N number to track his progress. Gosh 400 gallons in a beech18 is a heck of a load, cant imagine that much fuel in a lancair? Composite structure..., very strong. How much over his legal gross weight? Life raft?

Dave, N number is in the subject line! My brother Kurt told me Bill does have survival gear on board. This is the first of a number of record breaking flights Bill plans in his Lancair IV. As far as how many pounds over gross weight - can't answer that as I'm not familiar with the specs on this a/c type. This flight will require about 250 gallons - don't know how much fuel was onboard at takeoff.

He's about halfway as I'm looking at him right now!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N6ZQ

Yup - gonna be a long night!

Jeez, just got back from half of that flight in an A320 and it was long and boring! He's going to get a great nights sleep once he lands for sure! good luck

I do almost that same boring route in a MD-11 from time to time with three crewmembers and a couple hour nap. I can't imagine doing it with a groundspeed of 195+- knots!
Jason

Once your out over the ocean, do you just set the alarm, go to sleep and hope for the best? After all, there isn't much you can do if it quits

Robert

Just 1000 miles to go!

I hope his oil use rate isn't like a quart per 6 hours...

Guy I know who flies long-distance record flights has a rig to add oil while in flight, something I would think to be wise. I believe it also does some very rough level sensing.

N6ZQ has a 20 qt oil pan so I don't think oil consumption is a factor!

Curious exactly which distance record he is going for. The distance from Peru, IN to Honolulu, HI is about 3800 nm and I am sure that distance has been exceeded before. Still, a long way to travel in a small plane.

Good question Fred! There are likely many categories and sub-categories for a/c types. Just guessing but maybe something based on an amateur built a/c with 300 or more HP??

Most of the long distance speed records have been set going east with the winds. For the most part the records going west against the winds have not been touched.

They above was a response I received when I asked a friend about the record he was chasing.

Tim

Flew with Bill at AA. Good guy; fine aviator.
His wife was/is a UA Capt. He related this story of jumpseating up to IAD from FL on his wife's Airbus. (The female FO didn't know they were married or even knew each other.)

Bill: (As he gets seated.) "Oh boy, two women. Lucky I'm here in case there's a problem."
FO: Glances left with a YGBSM expression.
CA: Silent.
Bill: (In cruise). "Anyone headed headed towards Reston? I don't have a car."
CA: "I'll give you a ride."
FO: Rolls eyes in incredulity.
Bill: (In descent) "I don't have a hotel reserved. Anyone know of a place to crash?"
CA: "I have an extra room; you can stay there."
FO: Stares daggers at her sluttish CA.

They had a good laugh deplaning.