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NEW Around-the-World speed record

Oct. 10, 2008 – In a ceremony at the NBAA Convention, pilots Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik received the official National Aeronautic Association (NAA) certification for setting a new world speed record in an AgustaWestland Grand helicopter. The record-breaking flight was achieved in only 11 days 7 hours and 5 minutes, breaking the old record by almost 6 days. 

Departing New York at 3:14am on August 7, the crew traveled eastbound covering 20,888 nautical miles and maintaining an average speed of 137 km/hr, which includes time for refueling, rest and maintenance. With Kasprowicz’s factory standard AgustaWestland Grand helicopter, the duo maintained an impressive average speed of 150 knots over the ground while covering 20 countries, 24 time zones and 49 states before arriving back in New York on August 18. Other accomplishments on this historic flight include a New York to London speed record, flying that leg of the trip in just over 40 hours and breaking the old record by 35 hours.

Unlike previous flights to break the world helicopter speed record, Kasprowicz performed this mission in his factory-standard executive configured AgustaWestland Grand helicopter. No mission specific modifications or additional fuel tanks were added to improve the aircraft’s performance.