Endurance Flight

[GAHorn]

As most folks here already know, the World's Endurance Flight record was set by two fellows in a C-172 equipped with an O-300 Continental engine back in 1959.

According to the online magazine, "AOPA ePilot", ...(Matt) Pipkin, of Boise, Idaho, along with his father, Chet, plan to make a run at the existing world record, set in 1959. The article (rather derisively, in my opinion) stated "That was a publicity stunt to draw attention to a Las Vegas casino." While the article went on to claim that the Pipkins have a more altruistic motivation to " attract attention to the topic of childhood sexual abuse."

I wrote AOPA's feedback on ePilot to suggest the author correct her error in claiming the existing RECORD was made as a casino publicity stunt...when in-fact it was charitably-sponsored by Hacienda casino to promote cancer-awareness and raise funds for cancer research.

I guess I'll have to be satisfied with their rather diminuative little note in todays issue:
"CORRECTION: In the Dec. 10 edition of AOPA ePilot, we incorrectly identified the purpose of an endurance record set in 1959. That flight was made to raise money for cancer research."

Notwithstanding that gaff... I think the Pipkin's have a difficult challenge ahead of themselves. Robt Timm and John Cook took off in 1958 and landed in 1959 after flying non-stop for 64 days and 22 hours. That was 1558 hours of continuous operation in the desert without so much as a spark-plug or air-filter change...indeed, ANY service other than fuel and oil!

Yep. It may be slightly underpowered, but Cessna 170's were equipped with the original ... "LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD"

Robt Timm and John Cook take on fuel while inflight.

[wingnut]

George,
What airframe/engine do they intend to use for their purpose?

[jrenwick]

George,
What airframe/engine do they intend to use for their purpose?

Oddly, they haven't decided on an aircraft yet. The AOPA story is here: http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2 ... ecord.html.

[canav8]

I might be able to field a number of questions as Matt and Chet are personal friends. I fly with Chet on a regular basis. What is really more important is the cause. Matt was a victim of child molestation and the record attempt is to draw attention to "Project Paperclip" a 501 non profit that trys to help children that have been sexually molested by adults. Please dont confuse it with "Operation Paperclip"

The story is absolutely amazing as well as the people involved. I am personally involved in this record attempt. May I ask that you visit http://www.commit365.org. They are seeking any assistance. I apologize in advance. This is not a sales pitch but it is a good cause. Can anybody help me with aerial refueling a 172. They are asking me, but I dont have any good ideas. Doug

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Doug, I'd read Matts blog prior to this thread. If I understand it Matt, at this point doesn't have a pilots license. How is that going?

Somethings I'm not clear on with the original record. Did both pilots stay aloft 100 percent of the time or did they rotate in and out of the aircraft? I also remember reading someplace that for the original record there were oil filter changes and oil added through accommodations made in the cockpit.

I don't know what the intent in the amount of time the original record setters thought they could do. But it reminds me of a record attempt going rogue. They probably thought they could stay aloft for a few days which stretched to a week then another. The enthusiasm for the record growing with the participants and support staff the longer it went.

I just can imagine someone realistically saying, "lets fly keep a piston airplane aloft for 2 months", specially if two folks lived in it the entire time. Matt and Chet have a huge disadvantage here because they must get mentally prepared to overcome a huge record, something the folks with the first attempt didn't have to do.

For fueling I'd keep it simple. Looks like they just pumped it up from a truck. The key would be some sort of closed fuel port in the airplane. The port probably going into an aux. tank that can both feed the main tanks via on board pump. I wonder if they even had a closed port system. Bet not. I think the key is finding a '56 Chevy fuel truck. Most of the fuel trucks I'd driven can't go that fast.

Or even more simple. Think about small outboard marine tanks. Winching each up to the plane where they are plugged into a fuel manifold with a quick connect then rotating them.

Sounds like some folks are going to be spending some time at the Vegas Terminal studying the first plane?

[Curtis Brown]

This record stood for a quarter of a century. I worked and Fred Key at his FBO back in the 60's and 70's. The Keys had a lot to do with my love for aviation. I think the times and technology perhaps made their feat a more challenging one.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/aved/mu ... sippi.html

[canav8]

Doug, I'd read Matts blog prior to this thread. If I understand it Matt, at this point doesn't have a pilots license. How is that going?

Somethings I'm not clear on with the original record. Did both pilots stay aloft 100 percent of the time or did they rotate in and out of the aircraft? I also remember reading someplace that for the original record there were oil filter changes and oil added through accommodations made in the cockpit.

I don't know what the intent in the amount of time the original record setters thought they could do. But it reminds me of a record attempt going rogue. They probably thought they could stay aloft for a few days which stretched to a week then another. The enthusiasm for the record growing with the participants and support staff the longer it went.

I just can imagine someone realistically saying, "lets fly keep a piston airplane aloft for 2 months", specially if two folks lived in it the entire time. Matt and Chet have a huge disadvantage here because they must get mentally prepared to overcome a huge record, something the folks with the first attempt didn't have to do.

For fueling I'd keep it simple. Looks like they just pumped it up from a truck. The key would be some sort of closed fuel port in the airplane. The port probably going into an aux. tank that can both feed the main tanks via on board pump. I wonder if they even had a closed port system. Bet not. I think the key is finding a '56 Chevy fuel truck. Most of the fuel trucks I'd driven can't go that fast.

Or even more simple. Think about small outboard marine tanks. Winching each up to the plane where they are plugged into a fuel manifold with a quick connect then rotating them.

Sounds like some folks are going to be spending some time at the Vegas Terminal studying the first plane?

Bruce, Matt is a rated pilot also.
Both pilots remained aloft. the aircraft was stripped and the sleeping quarters were much like the gurney configuration in our aircraft. The record that still holds to this day as the longest endurance flight with the exception of the space shuttle is this C-172. The previous record was 50 days. The reason why the flight ended when it did was because of engine trouble beyond their mechanical means. Basically the engine wore out. What is interesting was how they serviced the oil in flight. The air filter remained uncontaminated because it was out of the elements on the ground.

Although the holy grail would be to break this record, Just the attempt and media attention will be what is necessary to help with "Project Paperclip". They are really hopeful but I have got to say that I agree that this feat is extrodinary. Matt has Bob's son onboard also helping to provide any detail. His son is actually hoping that the record is broke so Media leaves him alone.

There is an excellent quote from John Cook on the marque in the Airport it says: "Next time I feel in the mood to fly endurance I'm going to lock myself in our garbage can...with the vacuum cleaner running and have Bill serve me T-bone steaks chopped up in a thermos bottle - that is until my psychiatrist opens up for business in the morning..." I noticed the typo they used Bill instead of Bob
D