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Aviation World Records

Happy Guinness World Records Day! The Guinness Book of World Records is a book of records set around the world. It is a resource in more than 100 countries and 23 languages. 
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This day became a holiday in 2004 when the book became one of the best-selling books ever. What do record holders win? Unfortunately, it's not cash, but a certificate plaque plus bragging rights!


To celebrate the Guinness World Records Day, here are five aviation-related world records:

The Largest Quantity of Landing and Taking Off Within an Hour (in an ultra-light aircraft)

Nikolay Kalaydzhiev of Bulgaria took off and landed 40 times in one hour. He achieved this on October 15th, 2022.

First Solo Around the World

Wiley Post from the US flew solo around the globe in a Lockheed Vega in July of 1933. He covered 15,596 miles in only 18 hours and 49 minutes.

Longest Career as a Pilot

Col. Clarence Cornish of Indianapolis piloted planes from 1918 to 1995 for total of 77 years! He died at the age of 97 only 18 days after his last flight. 

Most Loops Flown Consecutively in Close Formation

The Blades Aerobatic Display Team of the UK accomplished 26 consecutive loops on October 20th, 2011.

Youngest Pilot to Circumnavigate the Globe

Mack Rutherford achieved this feat on August 24, 2022. He is also the first person under the age of 18 to do so! His trip took five months in total because he had to change his route multiple times due to the onset of the Ukrainian-Russian war.

There are plenty of other world records related to aviation you could read about! Click here to read about more incredible world records. The purpose of this day is to celebrate the records achieved and to encourage people to beat those records. Anyone is allowed to set or break a record – you can do so on their website. Maybe one day you can break one of these aviation records!

AOPA employee Caroline Smith headshot at Frederick Municipal Airport in Frederick, Maryland, February 27, 2023. Photo by David Tulis.
Caroline Smith
Product Marketing Coordinator
Caroline Smith is a Product Marketing Coordinator at AOPA. She graduated from Towson University with a BS in Business Administration. She has experience writing as a Marketing Intern at the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce in Essex, MD, where her work was featured in the Avenue News. She enjoys pet sitting, reading thrillers, and crocheting.
Topics: AOPA Pilot Gear, AOPA Products and Services

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