On February 15, 2011, Gordon Boettger and co-pilot Hugh Bennett launched Hugh’s Duo Discus from Minden, Nevada and contacted mountain wave lift. When they landed back at Minden nine hours and 19 minutes later, they had flown 744 miles to claim a U.S. multiplace record for distance around three turnpoints.

Not satisfied with that achievement, Gordon and Hugh spotted another good wave day in the making nine days later. On February 24th, they again launched the Duo  into wave, but this time they stayed aloft 11 hours and covered 985 miles (1585 km) to break their previous record.

Soaring Café recently interviewed Gordon and Hugh to find out what’s involved in planning and executing such long duration flights at high altitude, and to learn what distance records they think may ultimately be achievable in the U.S.

We will soon be posting a transcript and audio excerpts from that interview. Watch this space!