From there fuel could be transferred to the wing tanks when needed. The high-powered pump needed about three minutes to fill the tank. A winch would be lowered from the Cessna flying just above the truck to grab its fuel hose which would then be inserted in the plane’s belly tank. Twice a day, a special truck fitted with a reservoir, fuel pump and other equipment would race along a straight stretch of desert road.
This was a tricky and expensive procedure and Timm preferred groundto-air replenishment. Most previous endurance marks had been set by refuelling from another aircraft. Refuelling was naturally their main concern. If they should attempt a clandestine landing for rest, recuperation or repairs at any time during the marathon flight, the special marks would get erased or defaced. Soon after getting airborne they made a low pass over a chase vehicle for white stripes to be painted on their tyres with a large roller. Their flight commenced on December 4, 1958, at 3:52 p.m. Timm and Cook would have to remain airborne even longer. Meanwhile on September 21, 1958, another pair of pilots had increased the endurance record to 50 days, 16 minutes. He finally found John Wayne Cook, a young pilot with a fair amount of experience who was a certified mechanic. Timm also realised that he needed a co-pilot with whom he could click. However, three attempts to set an endurance record came to naught due to mechanical failures – refuelling issues, a clogged fuel filter and engine knocking. Provision was made for quick change of the engine oil and oil filters with the engine running. New avionics included a Narco Omnigator Mk II and a Mitchell autopilot. Major modifications were made, including installation of a 95-gallon belly tank for extra fuel, with an electrical pump to transfer fuel to the wing tanks. Bayley was enthusiastic and provided $1,00,000 in support.Ī Cessna 172 was bought from Alamo Airways. They could paint ‘Hacienda Hotel’ on the side of an aircraft and news reports of the record attempt would automatically attract publicity for the resort.
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When the Hacienda’s owner Warren Bayley asked his employees for ideas on how to advertise the hotel, Timm suggested an endurance flight. However, fate took him to the Hacienda Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to work as a slot machine mechanic. Since he loved to fly, he wanted to continue as a commercial pilot. During World War II he served as a bomber pilot. Robert Elgin Timm was born on March 8, 1926, in Nora Springs, Iowa. Almost 60 years ago, Robert Timm and co-pilot John Cook kept this rugged propeller-driven beauty continuously airborne for a mind-numbing 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds. Since 1955, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft, over 43,000 and counting. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a fourseat, high-wing, single-engine aircraft, made in the United States.