In an effort to set a world record for the fastest journey by plane across the U.S., two Bowling Green State University alumni will pilot a Piper Saratoga through 48 states in just 48 hours.
Barry Behnfeldt, class of ’83, and co-pilot Aaron Wilson, class of ’04, have called their journey 48N48, which can be tracked on FlightAware and FlightRadar24. The pair want their attempt to inspire the next generation of pilots amidst a shortage in the industry. The project also aims to promote general aviation and the Bowling Green State University School of Aviation, one of the fastest-growing aviation schools in Ohio.
BGSU alumni Aaron Wilson ’04 and Barry Behnfeldt ’83
“Maybe someone out there will see what we’re doing and it’ll spark their interest in becoming a pilot,” Behnfeldt said. “Even better, maybe it’ll encourage them to consider the aviation program at BGSU.”
Behnfeldt and Wilson estimated the trip would take about 39 hours and 57 minutes, without any mechanical issues or inclement weather. The 5,008-mile journey would take them across 48 states, from nighttime flying over the mountains to sunsets in Texas and Oklahoma. The estimated time accounted for 10-minute stops at each airport, requiring signatures at every stop for Guinness World Records. There will also be an estimated five fuel stops, which take about 20 minutes each.
“I had never thought about setting a world record until a conversation with another pilot piqued my interest,” Behnfeldt said. “I immediately got on my flight planning application and started planning this thing out and connecting the dots across the country. Within a day, I knew it was possible.”
Behnfeldt reached out to fellow, BGSU alumnus and Delta Air Lines pilot Wilson to ask him about joining in his attempt to set a world record.
“He had all the logistics and everything figured out,” Wilson said. “Flying across the country in a small airplane is something I’ve always wanted to do, so I was immediately sold on the idea. I didn’t have any hesitation about saying yes.”
The crew set off in the evening on June 4 in a 1980 PA32R Piper Saratoga, leaving Michigan City Airport (MGC) for Dupage Airport (DPA) in West Chicago. By the morning of June 5, the team was ahead of schedule and had already made stops in Michigan City, Indiana; West Chicago, Illinois; Janesville, Wisconsin; Caledonia, Minnesota; Mason City, Iowa; Wayne, Nebraska; and Pierre, South Dakota. The pilots were greeted by family, friends and enthusiastic fans following the journey at the stops.
The books were signed at each stop, often by local law enforcement. At the time of writing, the latest Facebook update outlined the landing in state 37 at Eastern West Virginia Regional (MRB). From there, they journeyed to Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) and set off for Westchester County (HPN) in White Plains, New York. The final stop will be in Maine on June 6.
Behnfeldt and Wilson even hope to honor the aviation history in Ohio on the journey from Maine. They plan on spelling out 48N48 over the Huffman Prairie Flying Field on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to commemorate 120 years since the Wright brothers’ first successful flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
According to the plans, the plane will land at the Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport (SFM) in Sanford, Maine on June 6 to conclude the journey. The potentially record-setting trip is on schedule and set to land on time and accomplish the original goal – 48 states in 48 hours.
UPDATE
The crew successfully completed the journey in 44 hours and seven minutes. They are returning home on June 7, to the Henry County Airport (7W5) to be welcomed back by family, friends and those that have been following along on the mission.
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