Newsflash: Flight terminated 90 miles short of goal due to storms -- read the harrowing story that had everyone captivated.  Click here.

World Record Attempt 2012

Delayed a full week, but not deterred, on June 30^th, Michael Combs (pilot) and Daniel Routh (flight assistant) set out to fly Hope One from Coast to Coast from California to North Carolina. They had a set back on takeoff when weather along the California coast caused fog.  This delayed the start of the flight by 1.5 hours.

Here is some more detailed information for you.

• The aircraft is a REMOS GX Light Sport Aircraft
• Engine:  Rotax 912 (100 hp)
• Number of Seats:  Two
• Aircraft Construction:  Carbon Fiber
• Weight of Aircraft:  Maximum of 1,320 lbs
• Average Cruise Speed:  100 kts overall
• Anticipated Altitude Cruise Speed:  110 kts
• Average Cruise Altitude:  9,500 (higher over the Continental Divide)
• Straight Line Distance of Flight:  1,954 nautical miles
• Actual Calculated Flight Distance:  2,030 nautical miles
• Number of Stops:  Eight
• Pilot:  Michael Combs
• Flight Assistant:  Daniel Routh
• Mission Control:  Steve Combs Scheduled Take-off date:  June 23, 2012
• Chief Meterologist: Pete Delkus of WFAA News in Dallas, TX
• Scheduled Landing Date:  June 24, 2012

Note:  Due to unpredictable weather patterns, the scheduled flight dates are subject to change.  For the latest information, please follow the flight here or on Twitter: #flighths

Q.  Why is this flight unique? This flight is sanctioned as a National and World Aviation Record.  It is flown in an unmodified Light Sport Aircraft under the restrictions of the Sport Pilot's License.  Specifically the flight must not extend beyond civil dusk nor begin prior to civil dawn.  The maximum time to make the world record is determined by dividing the total straight line flight distance by the slowest flap speed that the aircraft is rated at.  The challenge is to overcome the speed restriction while adhering to the limitations of the Sport Pilot's Certificate.

Q.  Why is the greatest threat?  The greatest obstacle is two days of flyable weather from coast to coast.  This is a flight that will prove to be challenging in many obvious ways.

Q.  Why are you doing this?  The message behind The Flight for the Human Spirit is to encourage fifty million people around the world to never, EVER give up on their dreams.  One of the original goals of The Flight was to set a coast to coast world record to demonstrate the possibilities of Light Sport Aircraft as well as the Sport Pilot's License.  We are celebrating the greatness that resides in every man and highlighting this individual potential through the world of aviation.

Route Plan

• Take Off: 
  
  The flight will take off from KCRQ - McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA.  The airport was nominated by fans of The Flight for the Human Spirit and will be a beautiful setting for this journey.  Carlsbad is in the San Diego area and presents a challenge of morning coastal fog which could delay the take-off too late in the morning for the attempt to be possible.
• Fuel Stop #1:
  
  • KCHD - Chandler, AZ is located south of the Phoenix area.  It was selected in order to avoid flying into and through the busy Phoenix airspace.  This airport has the support of Chandler Air Service.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #1:  284.1
• Fuel Stop #2:
  • New Stop: Rerouted due to winds.  Changed to KELP in El Paso, TX.  FBO is Atlantic Aviation.
    
  • KABQ - Albuquerque International Airport is the second fuel stop.  It is a towered airport that is the busiest in the city yet should prove to be capable of a fast stop.  The support FBO of this stop will be Atlantic Aviation.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #2:  282.1
• Fuel Stop #3:
  • New stop: Rerouted due to wind.  KMAF in Midland, TX.  FBO is Avion Flight Centre.
    
  • KAMA - Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is the third fuel stop and will be the last of the higher elevation airports.  The Flight will stop at Coyote Flight School and will have the support of TacAir FBO. 
  • Flight Distance of Leg #3:  243.0
• Fuel Stop #4:
  • New Stop: Rerouted due to winds and delays.  KABI in Abilene, TX.  FBO to be determined.  This will be an overnight stop.
    
  • Changed to Fuel Stop 4.5 due to delays.  KDTO - Denton Municipal Airport is the fourth fuel stop and is the home base of The Flight for the Human Spirit.  Our calculations are anticipating this to be the final stop for Flight Day #1 and will provide the perfect opportunity for any servicing to Hope One that may be necessary.  The supporting FBO will be US Aviation.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #4:  254.3
• Fuel Stop #5
  
  • KGLH - Mid Delta Regional Airport is the fifth fuel stop and is located in the Greenville, MS area.  This will be the longest flight leg of the journey and is being welcomed by a very friendly airport management team.  The support FBO is Greenville Air Services.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #5:  311.8
• Fuel Stop #6
  
  • KBHM - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International is the sixth fuel stop and is anticipated to be routine and quick.  The supporting FBO is Atlantic Aviation.  This has been the least responsive airport but is located in a strategic location for fuel.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #6:  211.8
• Fuel Stop #7
  
  • KCAE - Columbia Metropolitan is the seventh fuel stop whose flight leg will require a flight through or around the busy Atlanta, GA air space.  It is scheduled to be a direct route.  The supporting FBO will be:  Eagle Aviation.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #7:  281.9
• Final Destination - Fuel Stop #8
  
  • KILM - Wilmington International is the final destination airport located on the East Coast.  The supporting FBO is Air Wilmington.
  • Flight Distance of Leg #8:  161.0

If you are interested in participating in this flight you are certainly welcome to come to the listed airports and take photos and meet with Michael and Daniel.  Autographed postcards will be available while the limited supplies last.  Bear in mind that these will be quick stops so there will not be much time spent on the ground.  You will be able to determine the location of Hope One by following the live satellite tracking and the estimates provided by our Mission Control team.

How to Follow

1. To follow the flight online, the best place will be the page you are on right now.  This website will have live satellite tracking with updates every two minutes.  Also any of the posts from Facebook and Twitter will be compiled on this site.
2. Radio communications can be heard in some cities by monitoring http://LiveATC.net  
   We will be using the services of Regional and Approach Traffic Controllers so search by general geographic areas if you can't find the particular airport.
3. Other tracking sites such as Flight Aware will be able to show the latest data as well.
   The tail number for Hope One is:  N82GX

Fans of The Flight for the Human Spirit have been able to spot Hope One flying overhead while it has been in flight from one airport to another.  If you are looking to spot Hope One when it is flying at 9,500 ft, be sure to use your binoculars.