PLANNING AND EXECUTING THE HUEY800 LONG DISTANCE RECORD FLIGHT

A helicopter world record, Great Circle Distance without Landing, was set April 22, 1993; breaking the old record by 627 miles. The 13 hour, non-stop, solo, record breaking flight was made in a Huey800 piloted by Ron Williamson, co-author. This paper describes the new technology, LHTEC T800 Engine incorporated into the venerable Huey making a record attempt feasible. Additionally, the aircraft preparations, performance analysis methodology and flight profile verification flight are presented. Actual conduct of the flight, including GPS great circle navigation, oxygen usage, etc, all performed solo are also described. It can be concluded that the record flight demonstrated the viability of integrating a new technology engine with an old technology helicopter.