4 Pilots Hang On for Record of 50 Hours

Four pilots were tired but elated Friday after setting a world record of 50 hours and 50 seconds for helicopter hovering.

“It was great,” said David Meyer of Torrance, one of the four men who took turns piloting a restored 1946 Bell 47B in the parking lot of Anaheim Stadium. “It was a long two days, but worth it.”

Not only did they break the previous record of 47 hours, set unofficially by representatives of the U.S. Navy, but they also raised $192,000 in pledges for the Lestonnac Free Medical Clinic in Orange.

Chuck Tibbetts, chairman of the Contest and Records Board of the National Aeronautics Assn., said the time would also stand as a record in an international category “if one comes up.” He said it will also go into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Eggs were taped to the wheels of the helicopter to ensure that judges could tell if it had touched down at any point during the “hoverthon,” he said. The chopper, which took off after several false starts at 2:40:15 p.m. Tuesday, landed so the eggs broke into four frying pans at 4:41:05 p.m. Friday. At the same time, eight private helicopters flew overhead in a congratulatory convoy.

More than a demonstration, the feat is “really an aviation accomplishment,” Tibbetts said. “To hover a helicopter for 50 hours, changing crews, takes a lot of proficiency. Especially with an old bird like the one they used.”

In addition to Meyer, the pilots were Doug Daigle of Santa Ana, president of the RotorHeads helicopter enthusiasts; Brian Watts of Costa Mesa, and Rod Anderson of Riverside.