Post by corsair67 on Jul 16, 2007 16:07:12 GMT 12
Kiwi pilot helps set speed mark
The Press | Monday, 16 July 2007
Christchurch soaring ace Terry Delore and multi-millionaire Steve Fossett have finally smashed the long-standing world gliding speed record for a triangular flight of 1250km, clocking an average of 149.23kmh at Ely in Nevada.
"This was not a ripper Nevada day but we were able to maintain a good and steady pace, even in the absence of cloud for a good chunk of the flight," Delore said yesterday.
"After 27 attempts and 18,000km of desert flying, the longest-standing world speed record is ours, subject to ratification. We are rapt."
Flying a big 25m wingspan ASH-25 sailplane, the two partners were soon ahead of world record schedule on a blue thermal day they had originally intended to use for testing equipment.
On the final leg, they were so far ahead of world record pace that they were able to fly conservatively and still reach the finish 9m above the minimum height.
Delore, New Zealand's finest long-distance glider pilot, paid tribute to the contribution made by Fossett, famous for becoming the first man to fly solo around the world in a balloon.
"Steve put a positive spin on the conditions and called track, speeds, and spotted dust devils and good cloud streets," Delore said.
"As usual, we shared the flying along all sectors but this time Steve was more focused on the navigation and I did a little more of the flying than usual."
The previous record of 143.46kmh was set by German soaring pilot Hans Werner Grosse at Alice Springs, Australia, in 1987.
Delore and Fossett actually covered 1256km, celebrating with a high-speed low-level run over the airfield after the finish.
The Press | Monday, 16 July 2007
Christchurch soaring ace Terry Delore and multi-millionaire Steve Fossett have finally smashed the long-standing world gliding speed record for a triangular flight of 1250km, clocking an average of 149.23kmh at Ely in Nevada.
"This was not a ripper Nevada day but we were able to maintain a good and steady pace, even in the absence of cloud for a good chunk of the flight," Delore said yesterday.
"After 27 attempts and 18,000km of desert flying, the longest-standing world speed record is ours, subject to ratification. We are rapt."
Flying a big 25m wingspan ASH-25 sailplane, the two partners were soon ahead of world record schedule on a blue thermal day they had originally intended to use for testing equipment.
On the final leg, they were so far ahead of world record pace that they were able to fly conservatively and still reach the finish 9m above the minimum height.
Delore, New Zealand's finest long-distance glider pilot, paid tribute to the contribution made by Fossett, famous for becoming the first man to fly solo around the world in a balloon.
"Steve put a positive spin on the conditions and called track, speeds, and spotted dust devils and good cloud streets," Delore said.
"As usual, we shared the flying along all sectors but this time Steve was more focused on the navigation and I did a little more of the flying than usual."
The previous record of 143.46kmh was set by German soaring pilot Hans Werner Grosse at Alice Springs, Australia, in 1987.
Delore and Fossett actually covered 1256km, celebrating with a high-speed low-level run over the airfield after the finish.
