Ten Most Memorable Record Flights of 1994

"Ten most memorable record flights of 1994"

On March 13th 1995, Diamond Quest was honored by the National Aeronautical Association (NAA) as one of the "Ten Most Memorable Record Flights of 1994." This award was presented at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, by David Hinson, Federal Aviation Administrator. The astronauts who repaired the Hubble Space Telescope and Dick Rutan of the Voyager 'round the world flight received awards at the same ceremony.

Click here to see the Diamond Quest '94 participants and their slots on the formation.

NAA News Release

January 30, 1995

Arlington, VA -- The National Aeronautic Association today announced its annual selection of the "Ten Most Memorable Record Flights," chosen from more than 160 aviation records certified during 1994. The NAA is the National Aero Club of the United States and the U.S. representative of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the 93-nation organization that oversees all aviation and space records throughout the world.

"The list is a good cross section of the records set throughout the year. There are lots of extraordinary airplane records being set, but equally impressive are the records set in other aviation disciplines," commented Art Greenfield, Secretary of NAA's Contest and Records Board. These are NAA's selection for the year 1994:

Members of the skydiving team "Diamond Quest '94" joined together over the skies of northern California in a 46-person, open-canopy, diamond formation. The record for "Largest Canopy Formation" was set on October 12.

Circling the globe in his Bell JetRanger III helicopter, Ron Bower covered 23,800 miles in 24 days, 4 hours, 36 minutes at an average speed of 40 mph. This record for "Speed Around the World (Eastbound)" was set June 28 through July 22.

In the skies over Oshkosh, WI, "Pushy Galore" - the 100 horsepower, Formula One racer piloted by Bruce Bohannon clawed its way to 19,685 feet in 12 minutes, 50 seconds. This record for "Time to Climb to 6,000 Meters" was set on July 30.

Using ridge lift to soar along the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Karl Striedieck flew his Schleicher ASW 20B sailplane a total of 891 miles without landing. This record for "Free Distance" (which allows up to three turnpoints) was set on May 12.

Flying the Rutan Catbird, Mike Melvill set a record of 257 mph between Lake Hughes, CA, and Boise, ID - a distance of 1,250 miles. Using less fuel to compete in a lighter weight class, Dick Rutan flew the same airplane over the same course at a speed of 249 mph. These records for "Speed Over 2,000 Km Closed Circuit" were set on January 29 and March 2.

In a stunning demonstration of the airplane's performance capabilities, a McDonnell Douglas C-17A, piloted by Andre Gerner and crew, lifted off in less than 1,500 feet and carried 22 tons to altitude. The record for "Greatest Mass Carried to 2,000 Meters" was set on June 3.

Two Rockwell International B-1Bs left Grand Forks AFB, ND, on April 7 and followed each other on a nonstop, unrefueled, 6,200-mile dash across the United States and back. Varying weights allowed both aircraft to set records of 599 mph and 594 mph for "Speed Over a 10,000 Km Closed Circuit."

On February 19, Karen Gould lifted off from Amarillo, TX, in a Balloon Works AX-7 hot air balloon and touched down, 457 miles later in Beatrice, NE. This record for "Distance" was set on February 19.

Ascending over China Lake, CA, Jetta Schantz piloted an Aerostar AX-7 hot air balloon to a height of 32,572 feet. The record for "Altitude" was set on August 19.

Commander Robert Cabana and the crew of NASA'a 63rd Space Shuttle Mission blasted off the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center on July 8 and returned to Earth 14 days, 17 hours and 54 minutes later - setting a record for "Duration" in space.