Aircraft

Helicopter pilots from the USA have broken a world speed record from New York to London.

The new world speed record was set by pilots Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik during the first leg of their around-the-world speed record, they're calling the Grand Adventure 2008, in an AgustaWestland Grand helicopter.

Their flight from New York to London covered 6,380km (3,449nm) nautical miles and took 40hrs, 41min. The record of the flight will be submitted to the National Aeronautical Association for ratification.

The Grand Adventure is an attempt to break an existing world speed record in a helicopter and pilots Sheik and Kasprowicz plan to complete the record in 14 days. The current record is 17 days.

They plan to visit 18 countries in 24 time zones, with 78 fuel stops.

The pilots hope to perform this world record attempt with "standard avionics in an AgustaWestland Grand helicopter if they cruise at 160 knots all day long".

The AgustaWestland Grand helicopter

“We are thrilled to have broken this record. It’s been an exhilarating and exhausting first few days,” said Kasprowicz after landing at Redhill, just south of London, early Saturday morning.

“We’ve experienced every possible type of weather condition including rain, icing and strong head winds, and through each challenging condition, the helicopter has performed exceptionally. It took a lot of hard work and last minute coordination to make this record happen and we appreciate everyone’s efforts.”

The AgustaWestland Grand helicopter has low fuel consumption and is equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW207 turbine engines.

See the video and chart their progress...

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