Published: Monday, September 6, 2010
Snohomish pilot, 82, sets record for long flight
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Michael O'Leary / The Herald
Arnold Ebneter, 82, broke a national distance record in a lightweight plane he built.
SNOHOMISH -- Pilot Arnold Ebneter, 82, is now the official national record holder for flying the longest distance in an aircraft weighing less than 500 kilograms.
"I am delighted," said Ebneter, of Woodinville, works as a flight instructor and FAA inspector at Harvey Field a few times each week and serves as mentor and supervisor to the staff.
He's also expected to be recognized as breaking the world record, which was the same as the national record.
Ebneter lifted off from Paine Field on July 25 and landed 18 hours later in Fredericksburg, Va., in the E-1, an airplane he built for the flight.
He broke the record by just under 114 miles. The official distance was recorded as 2,327.85 miles. The former record was 2,213.96 miles set in 1984 by American Frank Hertzler .
The national record is kept by the National Aeronautic Association, which has turned over the flight's dossier to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland to be reviewed for the world record.
Arthur Greenfield, director of contest and records for the NAA was present when Ebneter landed in Virginia.
"It was a spectacular achievement, especially for the size of the plane," Greenfield said.
The biggest challenge was to keep the aircraft weighing less than 500 kilograms, or 1,100 pounds, Greenfield said. Ebneter solved this issue by making the E-1 an all-metal craft, the lightest and most reliable material he could find.
It is unknown when the FAI will review the flight. It will depend on their workload, Greenfield said.
Greenfield is not aware if somebody is planning to break Ebneter's record but he said someone could challenge it now that the news is spreading.
Ebneter will receive a certificate of achievement at the Air Club Show of Southern California on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles.
Ebneter celebrated with his family and friends from Harvey Field last weekend. With his long-term ambition finally achieved, Ebneter said that he is not sure if he will try to break other records in the future.
"The main record was the distance," he said. "We may look now how to make airplanes more efficient."
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez @heraldnet.com.
"I am delighted," said Ebneter, of Woodinville, works as a flight instructor and FAA inspector at Harvey Field a few times each week and serves as mentor and supervisor to the staff.
He's also expected to be recognized as breaking the world record, which was the same as the national record.
Ebneter lifted off from Paine Field on July 25 and landed 18 hours later in Fredericksburg, Va., in the E-1, an airplane he built for the flight.
He broke the record by just under 114 miles. The official distance was recorded as 2,327.85 miles. The former record was 2,213.96 miles set in 1984 by American Frank Hertzler .
The national record is kept by the National Aeronautic Association, which has turned over the flight's dossier to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland to be reviewed for the world record.
Arthur Greenfield, director of contest and records for the NAA was present when Ebneter landed in Virginia.
"It was a spectacular achievement, especially for the size of the plane," Greenfield said.
The biggest challenge was to keep the aircraft weighing less than 500 kilograms, or 1,100 pounds, Greenfield said. Ebneter solved this issue by making the E-1 an all-metal craft, the lightest and most reliable material he could find.
It is unknown when the FAI will review the flight. It will depend on their workload, Greenfield said.
Greenfield is not aware if somebody is planning to break Ebneter's record but he said someone could challenge it now that the news is spreading.
Ebneter will receive a certificate of achievement at the Air Club Show of Southern California on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles.
Ebneter celebrated with his family and friends from Harvey Field last weekend. With his long-term ambition finally achieved, Ebneter said that he is not sure if he will try to break other records in the future.
"The main record was the distance," he said. "We may look now how to make airplanes more efficient."
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez @heraldnet.com.
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