An international team led by Action Aviation chairman Hamish Harding and astronaut Terry Virts is celebrating after smashing the World Circumnavigation Speed Record in a flight, made in a Qatar Executive Gulfstream G650ER aircraft, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and 500th anniversary of the first global circumnavigation.
The record-breaking flight, which took off on Tuesday July 9th at 9.32am and landed on Thursday July 11th at 8.12am, has already been certified by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and Guinness World Records. The team took off and touched down at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, from where Apollo 11 launched on its historic mission.
Harding, the chairman of Active Aviation, a consultancy, brokerage, sales and acquisition services firm, said: “Our mission, titled One More Orbit, pays homage to the Apollo 11 moon landing achievement, by highlighting how humans push the boundaries of aeronautics. We did this during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the 500th anniversary of the start of man’s first circling the planet. It is our way of paying tribute to the past, the present, and the future of space exploration.”
Harding failed to mention that while Ferdinand Magellan left Spain in 1519 with five ships crewed by 270 men, only one of the ships with 18 men aboard (and no Magellan as he had been killed in what became the Philippines) made it back to Spain in 1522. Travelling was somewhat slower in those days. However, the three-year trip left its mark – they did call the sea passage at the southernmost tip of the Americas the Straits of Magellan.
Apollo 11 moon landing
Five centuries later, Virts, a former commander of the International Space Station and now a filmmaker is producing a film about the complex global effort needed to make the historic record. “We’ve captured a documentary about the mission, which we hope to share with audiences worldwide in the near future,” he said.
Ettore Rodaro, executive vice president with Qatar Executive, claimed the firm’s Gulfstream G650 was the ideal choice to break the record. “It is the fastest ultra-long-range business jet in the world. It has phenomenal range capabilities, industry-leading cabin technology and unparalleled passenger comfort, making it the perfect aircraft to attempt this mission in. It can fly at a faster speed for longer distances than any other jet, with its incredible 7,500 nautical mile (13,890 km) range.”
‘Fastest ultra-long-range business jet’
The flight was followed online around the world by aviation enthusiasts logging into the live stream broadcasting the voyage. Satcom Direct (SD) installed equipment and services to deliver the fastest broadband inflight connectivity available for private aviation.
SD founder and CEO Jim Jensen said: “Business jet users will only benefit from this adventure as we have learned a few things along the way. Not only has this set a new world record, it has raised the bar for business aviation connectivity expectations.”
The One More Orbit team was also sponsored by: Inmarsat; G-Technology; Action Aviation; Space Florida and Carbon Underground, which focused on making the mission carbon negative. Ferdinand Magellan was sponsored by King Charles V of Spain who was hoping for a faster route to the East’s spice isles.
Making the mission carbon negative
Rupert Pearce, Inmarsat CEO, said: “I believe that bold endeavours like One More Orbit offer a moment for self-reflection. They remind us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in our day-to-day lives as we too keep pushing the boundaries of what our satellite communications can do to connect the world to a better future.”
Earlier this week Corporate Jet Investor reported another record bid – this time in a Piper Malibu light aircraft. Its two UK pilots are awaiting confirmation of their World Record-breaking flight to 16 countries in 24 hours to spotlight general aviation’s contribution to British business and the development of electric aircraft.
Meanwhile, Francis Drake led the first English circumnavigation (and the second ever) over three years between 1577 and 1580. Drake’s motives were pecuniary — he was a slave trader, a privateer and sea captain who even claimed California for England.
World Circumnavigation Speed Record – at a glance
Total Distance: 22,422 nautical miles
Gulfstream G650ER: capable of reaching Mach 0.925 and sustaining Mach 0.90. Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR725 A1-12 Turbofans delivering 16,900 pounds of thrust. The extended range variant can fly 7,500 nautical miles at up to 15,545m
Mission directors
Captain Hamish Harding: Action Aviation chairman, mission director and one of the four pilots
Colonel Terry Virts: Astronaut, International Space Station commander, Space Shuttle astronaut. Soyuz astronaut and US Air Force test pilot.
