Longest Flight on a cessna 172
Covering 150,000 Miles in 64 Days: The Challenges and Triumphs of Robert Timm and John Cook
The Unmanned aircraft produced by Airbus and operated by the US Army had a remarkable feat in the sky, with 64 days and 18 hours of continuous flight before a crash landing in Arizona. This outstanding achievement was only four hours short of breaking the world record for the longest-ever continuous flight. The record was set in 1959 by Robert Timm and John Cook, who flew a four-seater aircraft in the skies over Las Vegas for 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes.
Despite the Zephyr being a light aircraft equipped with modern technology, it failed to beat the record set by Timm and Cook, and the duo still holds the world endurance record for a crewed flight. This is especially remarkable considering the era in which Timm and Cook accomplished their feat was closer to the Wright brothers’ first flight than it is to today.
Timm and Cook’s flight covered a distance of over 150,000 miles and was a remarkable feat of airmanship. The pair set off from McCarran Airport in Las Vegas on December 4, 1958, and made multiple refueling stops along the way, along the California-Arizona border. They slept in turns and faced sleep deprivation due to the engine noise and aerodynamic vibrations. Despite various technical failures, including the cabin heater, the fuel gauge, and the landing lights, the engine kept running for the entire 64 days.
The story behind Timm and Cook’s record-breaking flight is an inspiring one. It was 1956, and the Hacienda hotel and casino had just opened at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel owner was looking for publicity, and an employee, a former World War II fighter pilot turned slot machine repairman named Robert Timm, suggested they beat the flight endurance record and fly a plane with the hotel’s name on its side. Timm received $100,000 to set up the event, which was tied to a fundraiser for cancer research.
Timm spent months modifying a Cessna 172, a roomy four-seater aircraft known for its reliability and ease of flying. The modifications included a mattress to sleep on, a small steel sink for personal hygiene, the removal of most of the interior fittings to save weight, and a rudimentary autopilot. The important part of the modification was to create a way to refuel, which Timm accomplished by setting up an extra tank that could be filled from a truck on the ground.
Timm’s first three attempts at the record were unsuccessful due to mechanical failures, with the longest lasting 17 days. However, his fourth attempt with John Cook as his co-pilot was successful, and they beat the record on January 23, 1959.
The flight of Robert Timm and John Cook was a remarkable feat of endurance, determination, and airmanship. It serves as an inspiration to us all and is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome challenges and achieve great things.