A crew of five flew a Global Jet Care Lear 36A westward around the world in 67 hours and 28 minutes of flight time, setting an unofficial record in the process. “Since there isn’t a record for this route, it will serve as a challenge to other airplanes of the same category to try to break the record once it has been declared ‘official,'” the Century Mission said in a news release. The Century Mission commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first circumnavigation, which was undertaken by eight crew in four Army aircraft in 1924. The World Flight took 175 days and involved 74 stops. The Century Mission was timed to complete its flight on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the World Flight on April 6.
“The flight took off from Wichita just before midnight on April 3, 2024 and flew west with a total of 11 stops in California, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Singapore, India, Dubai, Egypt, Italy, Portugal and Canada before returning to Wichita on April 6, 2024,” the release said. The effort was also a fundraiser for the Classic Lear Jet Foundation’s bid to restore the very first Lear Jet delivered to a customer. The Lear Jet 23-03 was built in Wichita in 1964 and was discovered languishing at a Florida airport. It’s being rebuilt to flying condition in Wichita by the group.
I would say that’s more of an ‘around the world’ flight than most other records! No shortcuts around the top of the world.
Pretty cool. So what exactly is the “category”? I’m sure a newer Global or Gulfstream could squash that.
J Gery – I think Gulfstream already did an around the world in a G650 in just over 41 hours – only 3 stops with a cumulative ground time of something like 1.5 hours and of course a cruise speed over M 0.90. For these type of records, NAA breaks down classes by weight – so Gulfstream is C-1, i – which is roughly the bracket 77,000 – 100,000 lbs. Learjet would be C-1, f – which is 13,200 – 19,800 lbs.
Apparently this was the first circumnavigation record for going westward, as going eastward is obviously much faster. Also, the Lear has a much shorter range than a Gulfstream, so all those extra fuel stops would add significantly to the total flight time.
67 hours crammed into the that executive mailing tube. My butt hurts just thinking about it.
I commend the pilots of this event.
As David G points out 67 hours in a tube with short ground breaks is not what one would call relaxing. Still, this makes me ponder the why of it these days.
The planet is as small as an orbit of 90 minutes in a space station (and maybe in the near future a SpaceX Starship), airliners are flying around the world east, west north and south so though a Lear made the trip, it is not like they broke new ground. The guys in 1924, now that was the challenge. Planes held together with literally wire and glue, basic instruments, stuck in the clag with no ability to climb above…there was an epic adventure.
This trip took just under 3 days and those guys got to rotate with rest in relative comfort. A record? Sure. Big deal? not really, but if asked, in a heart beat I’d of loved to go on the trip (never turn down a ride).
I love the effort displayed by this flight in a significant aircraft in the history of my profession. The operator, the crew, the Learjet manufacturer, the STC holders, and the international handlers should all be commended!!!
–add Honeywell/Garrett to that list for the low fuel consumption.