The ink wasn’t even dry on the National Aeronautic Association‘s newest category for aviation records before a Husky pilot in Indiana took off to try for the top spot. The new category, “Aeroplane Efficiency,” officially went on the books March 1, and that same day, Kris Maynard departed Sheridan, Ind., in hot pursuit. Hot pursuit may be overstating it though, since Maynard said his speed over the 654-nm course averaged about 65 knots. His fuel efficiency worked out to an impressive 23.43 miles per gallon (13.71 km/kg), by Maynard’s so-far-unofficial calculations. He said he was thrilled with his results and hoped his attempt would encourage others to enter the competition. “This flight exceeded my expectations by more than 1 km/kg,” he said. “I am fully convinced that there is no other production aircraft in the world today that can achieve such efficiency. When my record falls — and I know it will — it will be to an Experimental.” That sounds like a challenge.
Maynard flew an Aviat Husky A-1A equipped with a Lycoming 0-360 engine, a 76-inch Hartzell propeller and standard 52-gallon fuel tanks. To compete for the record, an aircraft must be weighed, flown without stopping or refueling along an approved triangular course, then weighed again. The fuel burn is calculated by the difference in weight.
