Altitude record?

[Aussie_Paul]

Someone told me yesterday that Andy Keech had gone to 26,000'. Anyone know anything about this?

Aussie Paul.

[C. Beaty]

Actually, 26,200 ft. with 29' DWs.

[RayPierce]

Any on line reports where we can read the details?

[C. Beaty]

It’s a work in progress, Ray. I’m sure Andy will release full details when he has reached his goals.

[PW_Plack]

...or, when he catches his breath and his fingers thaw out enought to type again.

[Aussie_Paul]

Chuck, imagine how high he could have gone with them twisted the correct way!!!!!! LOL.

Aussie Paul.

[RHerron]

Actually, He was quite comfortable, only "cool".
He had requested clearance to 26,000 so when he got there, he decided to not stretch his good relationship with the tower crew (very busy) by requesting higher clearance. So, he just climbed another 200 for good measure and then descended.

There will be a report in the Washington Post but I'm not sure of the date.
Part of the preliminary record claim is posted on the FAI webpage showing Time-to-climb through 20,000 at 25 min.

This was stopwatched from the ground observers at 20 min. The difference will be sorted out from the flight recorder and reposted with the refined figures.

[ToddP]

This is great, good positive press for the Gyroplane community. Sorry about your record Dr. Clem

[C. Beaty]

Suuure, Paul B.......

Had the blades been twisted your way, Andy most likely would have gone into orbit and gotten stuck there.

[birdy]

Wunder if I could set a record in the opposite direction,hmmmm..............

[RHerron]

The world record is still Bill's. Until the NAA and FAI are done with the flight data and it is verified and ratified it isn't official.
That does not alter the fact that he did it... but he was not expecting to release the information until it was "a done deal". He is very understated and does not feel comfortable "tooting" his own horn.

[Bill Clem]

Congratulations, Andy!! I am very pleased to hear that Andy broke the record. I would like to see all of the records broken. The problem is the NAA and their excessive costs. I'm out about $5000 for two record attempts. I hope that Andy's costs were less. Other countries have much better support for those trying to break aviation records. I was told that the only expense that Ken Wallis ever spent was to pay for a hotel room one night for one of the observers. I congratulate Ron Herron for building a superior machine and Andy for flying it. The key to any higher record attempts would be.... heh, well maybe I better not say anything more.

[PW_Plack]

Dr. Bill,

Keep us posted as you construct your Xcor-powered Dominator. ;^ )

[twistair]

Sorry for this gap in my knowledge, guys: is he that very Andy Keech, skydiver and "Skies call" author?

[robertstodaro]

yes, he's the same guy.

I wonder how many of us are skydiver/gyropilots.