On Saturday, October 10, the World Ultralight Fly-In (WUFI) will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the first worldwide ultralight and open air synchronized flying event of its kind.
The Ada airport will be putting four open air aircraft up to aid in attempting a world record, according to Kevin Mierzejewski of the airport.
The event, put together by prominent European and US ultralight pilots is being orchestrated globally in conjunction with Dayton Ultralights and members of numerous Facebook groups and clubs around the world.
The event is open to all pilots who fly basic machines classified as ultralight and/or open air.
To participate, pilots must fly their aircraft on October 10 and submit a dated photograph to with their name, location, and type of aircraft. Participants will then be sent a printable certificate, and will be part of the attempt at an official Guinness World Record.
“The limitations of these aircraft mean it is unlikely all of us around the world will ever get to fly together,” said Belgium’s Koen Van de Kerckhove, WUFI creator. “But we can all fly the same sky, on the same day everywhere on the planet, making this the first virtual worldwide fly-in!”
“So far, recreational pilots from 41 countries have signed up to participate in the event,” said Paul Lindamood, director of Dayton Ultralights and WUFI. “Some of the most fascinating flying machines ever invented will be sharing the same sky, same day, all across the world this October,” he said.
“The Guinness Record has been filed and will be a first,” said Bill Esker, Arizona pilot and WUFI co-creator. “Unlike most flying events, this one will not sport massive turbojets or planes with 200 seat cabins. But rather only unique, imaginative lightweight aircraft considered to be ‘ultralight’ and/or ‘open air’ will be taking part – those imaginative, magnificent flying machine that remind us of the earliest days of flight.”
He added, “Open air flying is largely about the simplicity, the romance and the glory days of flying—the sheer exhilaration of being a part of the wind, the sky and the elements.”
To see who has signed up to fly, visit the group's ZeeMaps page.
Lindamood believes ultralight flying allows one to experience flight as the Wright brothers knew it—but with the benefit of today’s aerospace materials and design knowledge. “Wilbur and Orville would have marveled at what these modern day craft can do,” he said.
For more information about WUFI, Dayton Ultralights or open air/ultralight flight visit daytonultralights.com.
