1958 The longest non-stop flight ever done

[Bernard/Administrator]

Since more than sixty years the record for the longest non-stop flight has remained unbroken.

From December 4, 1958, to February 7, 1959, Robert Timm and John Cook set the world record for refueled flight endurance in a used Cessna 172, registration number N9172B. They took off from McCarran Field in Las Vegas, Nevada, and landed back at McCarran Field after 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds in a flight covering an estimated 150,000 miles (240,000 km), over 6 times further than flying around the world at the equator.

t all started with Warren Bailey’s desire to improve the reputation of his “Hacienda” casino hotel in Las Vegas.


The hotel in "Vegas 63" scenery




Slot machine mechanic Timm suggested that he sponsor a sustained flight record. The plan was very simple: “Every Pilot’s Darling,” a branded Cessna 172, would break the record and thereby attract attention across America. Bailey was convinced and contributed $100,000. In order to appeal to the righteous, religious average American who generally has little use for casinos, Bailey announced that the campaign was intended to raise funds for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Anyone who contributed a small amount was allowed to estimate how long the flight would take, and whoever came closest to the actual flight time would win $10,000.


The Cessna C172 taking off from McCarran Field




When the Cessna needed fuel, the crew radioed to arrange a rendezvous with the ground crew. The meeting took place on a long, straight stretch of road. It was done near Blythe Airport.


That's the original picture shwon a refueling session




and what could be done with FS9.



Bernard