14 December : Jeana Lee Yeager co-piloted with Dick Rutan, for the first non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world

 

Jeana Lee Yeager, along with Dick Rutan, made history with the Rutan Voyager, an experimental aircraft designed by Burt Rutan, Dick's brother. This extraordinary flight was completed between December 14 and December 23, 1986, and set a benchmark in aviation history. Here are the detailed highlights:

The Aircraft: Rutan Voyager

• Design: The Voyager was an unconventional aircraft made primarily of lightweight composite materials. It featured a forward canard and twin booms connected by a horizontal stabilizer.
• Fuel Capacity: Its design prioritized carrying an enormous fuel load, accounting for 72% of its takeoff weight (around 7,011 pounds of fuel at launch).
• Engines: It was equipped with two engines—one forward engine for takeoff and initial climb and an aft engine optimized for efficient cruising.

The Mission

• Purpose: To complete the first non-stop, non-refueled circumnavigation of the Earth.
• Route: The flight covered a distance of 26,366 miles (42,432 kilometers), flying eastward across the Pacific Ocean, the Americas, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, Asia, and back to Edwards Air Force Base in California.
• Duration: The journey lasted 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds.

Challenges Faced

1. Takeoff: The heavily loaded aircraft required almost the entire length of the runway (14,200 feet) at Edwards Air Force Base to lift off.
2. Fatigue: Both Yeager and Rutan endured extreme physical and mental stress, operating in cramped quarters and taking short shifts to rest.
3. Weather: Turbulence, storms, and the challenge of maintaining a steady course at low altitudes to conserve fuel added to the difficulty.
4. Technical Issues: They faced mechanical issues, such as fuel system problems, that could have jeopardized the mission.

Outcome

• Records: The flight set multiple records, including the longest flight distance without landing and refueling.
• Recognition: Jeana Lee Yeager and Dick Rutan were awarded numerous accolades, including the Collier Trophy and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
• Impact: Their achievement showcased the potential for endurance aviation and highlighted innovative aircraft design.

The Rutan Voyager is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., as a testament to this historic feat.