Eximious pilots Kirk Schutter and Kirk McCardell are attempting to set a Guinness world record by landing in all contiguous 48 states within 48 hours. You can track the flight as it happens on FlightAware.com, or follow @FlyEximious on Twitter for live updates. We'll also be posting periodic updates here throughout the flight.
September 10, 2021, 11:25 AM
The repaired N2299B finally departs KMAI, bound for home base.
September 10, 2021, 8:30 AM
On departure from Marianna, FL last night, there was a problem with the Commander's constant-speed propeller that forced a return to the airport. Pilots and aircraft are unharmed. Unfortunately, Kirk and Kirk were unable to resolve the problem and continue the flight. From Club President David Tarrant:
Everyone,
Mariana is on CDT. Therefore prop shop has just opened. Not clear when time can be made to investigate the Commander issue. Kirk and Kirk are on-scene and will advise when able.
We should assume that - barring a miracle - the Mission will be scrubbed. Patrick, who is the DP on shift now, is advising his witnesses of the issue and to stand by for more information. Next shift DP's need to be prepared for the same calls.
As soon as the situation clarifies we will organize a Zoom call. However, the odds of getting back on the Mission are pretty low - it will take quick action by the prop shop and a root cause finding that can be easily addressed. That is a long shot.
More to come.
Dave
September 9, 2021, 9:20 PM
99 Bravo hangs a right at Georgia and heads west along the Gulf coast to visit Florida, Alabama, and Missouri. 18 of 47 legs completed.
September 9, 2021, 7:40 PM
The record-setting flight continues, as Kirk and Kirk slip past a line of thunderstorms in West Virginia and head for Oconee County Airport in South Carolina.
September 9, 2021, 4:47 PM
Flight update from Club president Dave Tarrant:
Everyone,
Kirk and Kirk left staging airport KCDA on time at about 8:30 AM EDT this morning. Because of Wx the first ten legs of the flight were filed and flown IFR. This added about 70 minutes to the flight due to IFR routing but hopefully this time can be made up. Weather looks to be good for rest of trip based on present forecasts.
The aircraft is now under VFR, in route to Pikeville, Ky. Kirk McCardell is pilot flying and Kirk Schutter is on a rest cycle. No reported problems except some difficulty with satellite text communications.
Given the Wx challenges the two Kirks have done very well and are holding up; Commander appears to be performing very well.
Dave Tarrant
Club President
September 9, 2021, 4:20 PM
After a successful landing following a harrowing missed approach at Oxford, Connecticut, 99 Bravo leaves New England, heading south for Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
September 9, 2021, 9:08 AM
And the first leg of 48x48 is complete, landing at Fryeburg, ME at 9:00 AM.
September 9, 2021, 8:35 AM
Wheels up from KCDA at 8:32 AM. The historic 48x48 flight is underway
September 8, 2021
The excitement builds as Club members Kirk Schutter and Kirk McCardell arrive at Caledonia County Airport in Lyndonville, Vermont, the staging point to begin their record-setting flight tomorrow morning! The 48x48 flight begins tomorrow morning, September 9 at approx. 8:30 AM EDT, and ends on September 11 at approx. 9:45 AM EDT at the Eximious home base, Coleman A. Young Airport in Detroit, Michigan. All times may vary depending on weather at the various stops. Track the flight in real time on FlightAware.com, or follow @FlyEximious on Twitter. Frequent updates will also be posted here and on our Facebook page.
September 7, 2021
For Immediate Release
Local Pilots to Attempt World Record Flight “48 in 48”
Two highly experienced Eximious Flying Club Members, Kirk Schutter and Kirk McCardell, are planning a record-setting attempt by landing in all 48 contiguous states within a 48-hour period. This attempt is sanctioned by Guinness Book of World Records and is planned to occur over the weekend of the 20th Anniversary of the 911 terrorist attacks to commemorate this tragic event.
The flight will depart from and return to Coleman Young Detroit City Airport, which is the home base for Eximious. The two ‘Captain Kirks’ will be flying the Club’s elegant Rockwell Commander 114, which has the appropriate performance characteristics to complete the journey successfully. Eximious is the only Flying Club in the world with a Commander 114.
Behind the scenes Eximious Members will provide 24-hour support for the flight, which requires intricate planning in order to meet the record-setting criteria required by Guinness. Kirk Schutter – a professional commercial airline pilot – has very carefully evaluated the most efficient routes to each airport needed for landing in order to touch down once in each State. Considerations such as fuel management, weather, terrain, and the need to properly document each landing create many challenges that must be successfully met. Signatures of local airport personnel are needed to document each stop; strict coordination is necessary to ensure the flight is met at each airport regardless of time of day or local operational conditions.
Kirk McCardell is also a highly experienced pilot who has the most flight hours in the Commander of any Club Member. Among other duties, his role is to ensure the aircraft is in top condition for the flight and that the various recording devices and other administrative aspects are properly managed. Flying continuously for two full days takes the utmost in coordination between the two pilots, who will take turns being “pilot in command” while the other assists and gets some rest. The two “Captain Kirks” are highly complementary and ideal to fly this record-setting event together, and plan to complete the record upon touchdown at Detroit City Airport on September 11, 2021.
In addition to setting the record and commemorating the 911 Anniversary, the purpose of the trip is to highlight the benefits of General Aviation and the value of local airports such as Detroit City Airport. Anyone with a computer can follow the progress of this flight on software such as Flight Aware (use tail number N2299B). Please follow and support this endeavor as we celebrate the unique freedoms which we enjoy as citizens of this great country.