Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace Events

UK pilots set for new world record

Intrepid British pilots Mike Roberts and Nicholas Rogers have successfully flown a Piper Malibu light aircraft (G-TFAM) to 16 countries in 24 hours to claim a new world record.

Above: (left to right) Intrepid pilots Mike Roberts and Nicholas Rogers .

Mike, owner of flying club and flight training school Take Flight Aviation, based at Wellesbourne Airfield, Warwickshire and Nicholas Rogers, a B737 Captain based at Birmingham Airport, undertook the challenge on Tuesday 25th June. 

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

They now await formal verification of their feat from the Guinness World Record Organisation, which currently lists the most countries visited by fixed wing aircraft in 24 hrs as 11, achieved by James van der Hoorn and Iain Macleod in 2010.

As well as fulfilling a personal challenge, Mike and Nicholas embarked on the initiative to raise awareness of the ongoing campaign to Save Wellesbourne Airfield, which since 2015 has been under threat from closure from its Landlords, despite the local authority’s attempts to purchase it and retain its current use.

“In doing this trip and taking in 16 countries, we wanted to demonstrate how accessible Europe can be served by general aviation aircraft – for business and leisure - and raise the awareness of the terrific standards many GA airfields offer,” Mike Roberts said.  “We are passionate in our belief that preserving our local airports is vital for Great Britain plc.; for the training of future pilots and also for the inevitable role they will be able to play in supporting the next generation of aircraft (including these hybrid and electric models) that don’t require the infrastructure and cost of big airports.”

 “We didn’t want to just beat that 2010 World Record, but beat it by a substantial margin,” Nicholas Rogers added.  The 2008-built Piper Malibu averaged a cruise speed of 190 mph and its performance was outstanding, he noted.

Their journey with the Malibu commenced with a night departure from Denmark’s Roskilde Airport near Copenhagen at 3.30am (local time) visiting Sweden as the sun rose, before returning to Denmark briefly and onwards to Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium and France.

“We chose to contact several airports in each country so we could build an optimum route based on who could accommodate us and what facilities were available in terms of runway surface and length, fuel, customs and operational hours and were pleased to receive a positive and friendly response from everyone.   Maastricht Aachen Airport, in the Netherlands was especially enthusiastic with its fire crew honouring our arrival with a water cannon salute. By then, we knew we had broken the existing world record,” said Nick.

The pair give themselves 24 hours to complete the 1,700 plus miles’ flight (excluding the positioning), with over half the time in the air, allowing a further eight to 12 hours on the ground for refuelling, airport handling, customs and rest.  

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

They also faced record temperatures in Central Europe with 38 Celsius on the ground in Italy and staggering outside air temperatures over 30 Celsius in the air.
Delays with customs in Hungary and gaining permissions in France and weather closing in at home meant that the final 17th leg was dropped so the pair took time out to relax in Lille.

“The response to our challenge was very positive and we were heartened to see people waiting to greet us from 4am (local time) in Sweden.  We were welcomed with many fantastic facilities geared to handle General Aviation which could certainly be replicated by Stratford District Council at Wellesbourne,” Mike highlighted.

Stratford District Council are in the process of a Compulsory Purchase of the airfield to maintain its aviation use.  Meanwhile, some of the remaining tenants are taking action in the Court of Appeal to try and maintain their tenancies and overturn a previous ruling, which surprisingly went against them.

Mike and Nicholas have broken world records before. They currently hold the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of airfields visited in 24 hours, when they landed at 87 airfields in the UK in a Cessna C172 in 2017.

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

Aerospace

Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

15 July 2025

Doncasters today announced the successful commissioning of a brand-new, fully automated shell line, at its Groton facility in the US - a major milestone within its 2025 Performance Improvement Plan and a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

Aerospace

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

15 July 2025

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.

Bombardier’s paint facility at Biggin Hill set for 2026 opening

Aerospace

Bombardier’s paint facility at Biggin Hill set for 2026 opening

14 July 2025

Bombardier's development of a new 51,000 sq. ft. paint facility at the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is progressing with several key processes completed, including ground stabilisation and foundation work on the hangar.

AAIB launches investigation into incident at Southend Airport

Aerospace

AAIB launches investigation into incident at Southend Airport

14 July 2025

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has started an investigation into an incident near Southend Airport on Sunday 13th July, involving a 12-metre plane that crashed shortly after take-off.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
First electric flight lands at Gatwick

Aerospace

First electric flight lands at Gatwick

14 July 2025

The first ever electric flight to land at London Gatwick took place last Thursday as part of the VINCI Airports Network Elektro Tour.

Airframe Designs appoints new Advisory Board chairman

Aerospace

Airframe Designs appoints new Advisory Board chairman

14 July 2025

Aerospace specialist Airframe Designs has appointed David Roberts as the new chairman of its Advisory Board, as it continues to expand its services in engineering and additive manufacturing to the aviation and related sectors worldwide.

Advertisement
ODU RT