Longest Non-Stop Flight -- 64 days in a Cessna 172

[Nicholas van Rijn]

This is a fascinating story of a rather long flight: 64 days and 150,000+ miles in a Cessna 172. I've run across brief mention of it before, but today I found a more detailed account than I've ever read. So I thought I'd share!

The world record longest flight in a single engine airplane | rnjennison on Xanga

[Retroit]

Thanks for posting. I've seen the plane and the Ford Thunderbird on display in the Las Vegas airport.

[Mac15]

Does not sound like an exciting thing to do.

[Chava61]

Incredible!

[Wartrace]

That's one way to build hours...... No way I could have done that. My only problem would have been a lack of exercise. No way could I sit/sleep that long without moving around.

I guess they transferred meals during refueling and had a "pot" for relief.

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by Wartrace

That's one way to build hours...... No way I could have done that. My only problem would have been a lack of exercise. No way could I sit/sleep that long without moving around.

I guess they transferred meals during refueling and had a "pot" for relief.

I know someone who did a 23 hour flight on a Piper Archer with no refueling stops (as it was from Hawaii to California with extra fuel tanks instead of 3 seats) and they did have a "pot" for relief as well as food. On that flight the pilot lost their electricity (around the point of no return) and the use of most of his instruments as well as his radio contact ability.

[flynavyj]

Awesome article. I think i'd have struggled to survive that...mostly boredom, or accidentally slipping off the platform to an untimely death...

Chava,

There's something that would really suck about that. A good friend from work had a similar situation, but he was in a KC-135 heading towards Guam with a new navigator, and thunderstorms all around.