This story was updated June 28, 2023.
Two pilots who are alumni of Bowling Green State University in Ohio completed their world-record attempt of the fastest journey by plane through all 48 contiguous United States, completing the cross-country voyage in 44 hours and 16 minutes.
Unfortunately, the pilots didn’t break the record, which was set May 19, 2023, by U.S. pilots by John Skittone and Robert Reynolds. They completed the journey in 1 day, 14 hours, and 13 minutes, according to the Guinness World Records website.
But the world record attempt wasn’t the only reason the Bowling Green State university alumni, Barry Behnfeldt and Aaron Wilson, made their effort. The two pilots hope their flight, which they called 48N48, will inspire a new generation of pilots.
According to university officials and local news reports, the two executed their meticulously-planned 5,008-mile trek across the U.S. nearly four hours ahead of their original goal of 48 hours, experiencing near-perfect conditions throughout the entire two days.
The pilots chronicled their 48-state journey on Facebook, with regular updates on the weather, views from the sky, and the latest on their schedule.
The pair received signatures at each stop to verify their presence. Those signatures and additional documentation will be reviewed by officials at Guinness World Records before Behnfeldt and Wilson officially are deemed world-record holders.
Here’s how the local news covered the story:
Congrats from a BGSU Grad and Pilot !!