World Record-Setting Pilot Counts on Lycoming Engines

Through Tough Terrain, Lycoming is the Only Choice

Williamsport, PA – With over 16,000 hours of flight experience, Hans Georg Schmid is taking flight to another dimension with the support of a Lycoming IO-580-B1A, 315 hp engine. Schmid already has over 16,000 flight hours of experience and over 162 aviation world records under his belt and will now attempt yet another World Record by flying around the world, twice, over both of the Earth’s Poles and the four corners of the world with his custom-built Express experimental aircraft.

The pole-to-pole adventure will take Schmid across some of the most desolate landscape on earth, making reliability and safety the number one priority. “A Lycoming engine was the only choice for me,” Schmid said. “I want the confidence of knowing I have a Lycoming up front, as I am flying over thousands of miles of snow, ice and water,” he added.

Schmid’s record attempt is targeted to be completed in a three-month time frame that considers the harsh environmental conditions found in each of the Polar Regions. In fact, his flight plan takes him over the North Pole twice during winter and total darkness, as well as over the Pacific Rim during typhoon season.

“Lycoming is proud to support the circumnavigation efforts of Hans Georg Schmid" said Dennis Racine, Lycoming director of marketing and customer leadership. “The airplane and the world record seemed like a very good fit for the Lycoming 580 Series Engines,” he added. The Schmid Team and Lycoming will be working very hard to make sure all details are ready for the record attempt later on in 2007. The project is dependent on sponsors to be successful; if you would like more information about sponsoring or supporting The Polar Frontier: North, South and Beyond 2007, contact hgschmid@bluewin.ch or visit http://www.Lycoming.com.