Dr. Dave Craddock has set a world speed record on a trip from Minneapolis, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana, in the first production Mooney Acclaim Type S. Flying at an average speed of 333 knots with a max ground speed of 357 knots, Craddock traveled 904 nautical miles in 2 hours and 43 minutes.
The record flight, submitted to the National Aeronautics Association (NAA) for review and certification in the C-1.c category, stretched the entire length of the Mississippi River. To accomplish the world-record speed over a recognized course, Craddock flew from Crystal Airport outside of Minneapolis, did a running start at 25,000 feet and a running stop over New Orleans, descending through 11,400 feet.
“I had been watching the weather for several days via the Internet and realized that I could set a blistering record,” Craddock said. “I love flying my Mooney at 25,000 feet, and I look for opportunities to do so.”
Nicknamed the Batmobile, the Acclaim Type S is the third new Mooney for Craddock, who is a dentist from Kewanee, Illinois. As vice-president of the Flying Dentists Association, he used the Acclaim to make meetings in Minneapolis and New Orleans on January 31, along with setting the speed record. “Gone from home only 24 hours, I missed no clinic time,” he said. “I could never, ever have done that trip commercially.”
For information: www.mooney.com.
“As vice-president of the Flying Dentists Association, he used the Acclaim to make meetings in Minneapolis and New Orleans on January 31, along with setting the speed record. “Gone from home only 24 hours, I missed no clinic time,†he said. “I could never, ever have done that trip commercially.—
This is why general aviation, in the business sense, should not be scrutinized by the government or others. It cost him less time and money to get the job done, and he had fun to boot!
Way to Go Dave!