Minneapolis To New Orleans Flight In Under Three Hours

The first production Mooney Acclaim Type S, owned and piloted by Dr. Dave Craddock, was flown to set a world speed record on a trip from Minneapolis, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana. Flying at an average ground speed of 333 knots (383 mph) with a max ground speed of 357 knots (410 mph), Dr. Craddock traveled 904 nautical miles (1040 sm) in 2 hours and 43 minutes.

The record flight, submitted to the National Aeronautics Association (NAA) for review and certification in the C-1.c category, spanned the entire length of the Mississippi River. To accomplish the world-record speed over a recognized course, Craddock departed Crystal Airport outside of Minneapolis, did a running start over MSP at 25,000 feet and a running stop over New Orleans descending through 11,400 feet.

"I had been watching the weather for several days via the internet and realized that I could set a blistering record," Craddock said. "I love flying my Mooney Acclaim Type S at 25,000 feet, and I look for opportunities to do so."

Nicknamed the Batmobile, the Acclaim Type S is the third new Mooney for Craddock, a dentist from Kewanee, IL. As Vice-President of the Flying Dentists Association, Dave used the Acclaim to make meetings in Minneapolis and New Orleans on January 31 along with setting the speed record.

"Gone from home only 24 hours, I missed no clinic time," Craddock noted. "I could have never, ever done that trip commercially."

FMI: www.mooney.com