Wings Across America 2008
A hand-delivered RC park flyer crossed 48 states in over five years.
Wings Across America 2008 (WAA-08) was a project in which a battery-powered radio-controlled park flyer aircraft was flown in all 48 contiguous United States, with hopes to also reach Alaska and Hawaii. The aircraft, a SQuiRT (Simple, Quiet, Robust, Trainer) model donated by Stevens AeroModel, was hand-delivered from pilot to pilot across the country, never shipped by mail. The project was created by Frank Geisler of Gloucester, Virginia, an avid RC pilot, USAF veteran, and AMA contest director.
- Total distance traveled
- 26,587 miles
- Total pilots who flew the plane
- 812
- States visited
- 48
- Registered pilots
- 333
- Oldest male pilot
- Bill Baily, age 97
- Youngest male pilot
- Evan Holman, age 6
- Coldest temperature flown
- 0°F, by Richard C (#263) in Butte, MT
Lore & Background
The project was conceived by Frank Geisler, who discussed it with friends and received enthusiastic support. Within five weeks of inception, 230 pilots had joined, representing all 48 continental states. Geisler used internet RC forums and emailed Academy of Model Aeronautics chartered clubs to recruit volunteers. The plane was hand-delivered from pilot to pilot, creating a chain across the United States. Over 340 RC pilots registered to take part, and 248 AMA chartered clubs hosted the adventure. All equipment was donated by participating pilots, including the SQuiRT model from Bill Stevens of Stevens AeroModel and a radio control system from Horizon Hobby. The first flight launched on May 24, 2008, and the journey ended at the home field in eastern Virginia 5 years, 145 days, 21 hours, and 50 minutes later.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Wings Across America 2008 lies in its unique method of hand-delivery, which distinguished it from previous cross-country model aircraft projects. The event aimed to promote model aviation, and its legacy continues at the National Model Aviation Museum, which houses a display, pilot log book entries, and further information. The project generated extensive media coverage, including 33 online news stories, 30 local papers, six nationally publicized magazine articles, six local television news broadcasts, and one local radio show. The SQuiRT aircraft, built from balsa and vinyl covering with a 38-inch wingspan and weighing 16 ounces, proved durable enough to withstand handling by hundreds of pilots. The project also set records for extreme conditions, including flights at 0°F in Montana and 107°F in Texas, and at an altitude of 8,500 feet in Colorado.
Did You Know?
- The SQuiRT model name stands for Simple, Quiet, Robust, Trainer.
- The plane was flown by 812 pilots over the course of the project.
- The youngest pilot was Evan Holman, age 6, and the oldest was Bill Baily, age 97.
- The plane traveled 26,587 miles and visited 48 states.
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