Photo: Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio
MANSFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A pilot in Massachusetts recently set a new record for transcontinental travel in his own aircraft.
Local pilot Stephen Coleman flew his single-engine, slab-wing, experimental aircraft out of Norwood to California and back. The aircraft has a 17-foot wingspan and is only big enough to fit one person inside.
It took Coleman 34 hours to get to California and 31 hours back to Norwood, setting a new transcontinental speed record for a home-built aircraft in its weight class. Coleman said he reached top speeds of over 200mph on the way back to Norwood.
One of the most difficult aspects of breaking the record was having to stop for fuel roughly every hour and a half.
“On the way out it was 13 times, on the way back I stopped 11 times for fuel, which is a huge time penalty,” said Coleman. “Every minute you spend on the ground is a minute lost.”
Even though Coleman works as a pilot out of Logan Airport, flying has always been one of his favorite hobbies.
“I fly to make money so I can do more flying,” said Coleman. “I like epic adventures and pushing the limits and seeing what’s possible.”
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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