Pilots from the USA Academy of Aviation in Murrieta, Calif., have once again set a record, beating their old time, for a round-trip Robinson R44 helicopter flight from Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Ga. The trip occurred in mid-September. The crew of four pilots is awaiting confirmation from the National Aeronautic Association for a time of 58 hours and 23 minutes.
The team included company owner Johan Nurmi, Travis Reid, Dr. Miguel Krishnan, and Jerry Peck. The goal of each of the records Nurmi’s flights have set is to raise money for charity. He set records in 2005, 2008, and 2009. This year the flight raised money for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, where Krishnan is a doctor. Reid, 20, has been on two previous record flights.
The team tried to fly straight through, with time for fuel stops, by having pilots in the back seats rest for several hours. As was the case with past flights, storms along the way forced a delay of six hours. The helicopter flew in high winds and lightning, as well. The trip required 16 fuel stops.
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