Astronaut Sets Unofficial Record for Plane Altitude
An astronaut removed from command of a shuttle mission for violating flight-safety rules unofficially has set an altitude record using the same light aircraft he was flying in a collision that killed another pilot.
A veteran of three shuttle flights, Robert (Hoot) Gibson unofficially set the record for light aircraft Thursday, soaring to 27,000 feet, exceeding a record set two years ago by 1,840 feet.
Gibson, 44, a Navy captain and former test pilot, made the flight with a single-engine Cassutt Formula 1 “midget” racing airplane. He was piloting the same plane when it collided with another aircraft during a race at an air show near New Braunfels, Tex., last July, killing the other pilot.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
