With the recent release of the most memorable aviation records from 2019 to 2021, it caught my attention that the National Aeronautic Association has a list of its Most Wanted Records.
Curious as to what they are?
- On Oct. 22, 1938, Mario Pezzi flew a Caproni 161 to 56,047 feet, setting a Class C-I, Group I altitude record. To set a new record, you must fly to at least 57,728 feet.
- On June 8, 2008, Robin Austin flew a Sonerai II-L 37.22 km/kg, setting a Class C-I.b, Group I efficiency record. To establish a new record, at least 38.34 km/kg is required.
- On Feb. 22, 2013, Sergey Ananov set a Class E-1b, Group 1 record for Distance Without Landing (765.53 miles) in a Robinson R-22. To beat his record, you must fly 773.19 miles.
- On July 23, 1992, Ian Haigh flew a Boeing 737-400 3,893.03 miles, setting a Class C-I m, Group III Distance record. To beat that record, a pilot must fly 3,931.96 miles.
- On Oct. 20, 2019, Yuriy Yakovlyev set a Class C-1 a, Group I efficiency record flying an Aeroprakt A-40 33.92 km/kg. To set a new record, you must fly 34.94 km/kg.
- On Feb. 12, 1985, Bryan Allen set a Class BA-01 Duration record flying a Raven White Dwarf eight hours, 50 minutes, 12 seconds. To set a new record you must fly eight hours, 55 minutes, 31 seconds.
- On May 27, 1969, Drury Wood and Dieter Thomas set a Class H Distance record flying a Dornier Do 31 423.15 miles. To set a new record, you must fly 427.38 miles.
- On Oct. 31, 1997, Walter H. Milliken, A.A. Frink, S. Beckett, F. Cassanti, and E. Shields set a Speed Around the World Over Both the Earth’s Poles in the Class C-1 t, Group III category flying a Boeing 747SP 487.35 mph. To beat the record, pilots must fly 492.22 mph.
- On March 15, 1972, Frank M. Tuytjens set a Class C-1 e, Group 1 Payload record of 2,205 pounds with a Dornier Do 28D Skyservant. To break the record, you must have a payload of 2,227 pounds.
- On Aug. 5, 1947, H.T. “Dick” Merrill set a Class C-1 Speed Over a Commercial Route: Chicago to Atlanta record of 326.93 mph in an Eastern Airlines Lockheed Constellation. To set a new record, a pilot must fly 330.20 mph.
If none of those catch your eye, go to NAA.aero and its Records FAQ page, which will tell you what records are available, along with all the information you need to get into the history books. Good luck!
