See an exciting video about the flight!!          TURN UP THE VOLUME!!

Coast to Coast World Record Helicopter Flight AUGUST 8th 2006!!                     ****See the results at the bottom of the page*****                                                     Purpose-   To emphasize the value of aviation history through aircraft preservation for future generations.    -By flying a restored aircraft that had been retired from service demonstrates the abilities and desire   to preserve historic aircraft by the Wings and Rotors Air Museum.   To increase visibility of the Wings and Rotors Air Museum.   -Exposing the beautifully restored Bell helicopter to the public across the United States will be a         living example of the museum's collection and a prelude to future aircraft restorations.    To encourage education by stimulating a vision of the future in      aviation technology.    -This event will reveal the impact of education and the capabilities of helicopters today   and in the future.   To provide inspiration to the world by expressing the human spirit in     making a dream become a reality.     -Accomplishing this remarkable event will require exceptional skills, courage, vision, determination,      physical endurance and the attitude that failure is not an option. The human spirit has enabled the      achievement of many historical moments in our time. Attaining a world record in this aircraft   will be one more of them.

The Crew

The Coast to Coast record flight crew will consist of-     Johan Nurmi, a veteran of record flights, he has set 2 world record flights in the Robinson R-22 Helicopter.   Pat Rodgers, a former U.S. Army helicopter crewman   and seasoned pilot, he is also the museum's Executive   Director. William Hendricks is a doctor by trade and a  helicopter pilot as well.

The Aircraft

The world record flight will use the museum's restored Bell OH-58A Kiowa. Similar to the   civilian Bell 206 the military version had some differences.   There will be modifications made to the OH-58 to make the aircraft safer, more dependable, have   longer range and more pilot comfort. Examples are improved instruments and avionics, a fuel tank  range extender, drive shaft cover upgrade, engine adjustments, wire cutters, seat upgrades and an   overall new paint job. The flight will be better received with a civilian paint scheme vs a military    paint job. The new paint scheme will allow for sponsors names and company logos to be painted on the aircraft itself.     The new paint job was accomplished in about 2 weeks, the actual painting  taking just 4 days. We prepped the Kiowa in French Valley, then flew it to   Show Low Arizona, where we used the paint facility of long time sponsor Overseas Aircraft Support Inc.

The paint was made by PPG and was donated by Temecula Valley Paint.

The Kiowa was painted by Shayne Meder and Roxane Johnson with help from Pat Rodgers.

Our Sponsors

We could not accomplish this event without the support of our sponsors                                                         Thanks so much!!

Mr. Richard Wall   Mr. William Hendricks       Mr. Pat Rodgers        Jack Lanphere

The World Record Stats-- According to the National Aeronautical Assn. the trip to Savanna Ge. covered 1810 nautical miles and they averaged 72.37 MPH setting a record for one-way at 28.47 hours. The also set 2 National records for the round-trip and for the helicopter type.

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