OAKLAND, CA -- The latest attempt at an air speed record was played out on May 19 in the shadows of the terminal at Oakland International Airport (OAK). Now home to Business Jet Center, the historic terminal has been the backdrop for numerous storied aeronautical record attempts, including those by Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and Amelia Earhart in her effort to fly around the world.
Attempting to set a new speed record in a Class C aircraft over a recognized course between Oakland and Mojave, CA Airport (MHV) are (from right) pilots Christopher Freeze and Rodrigo von Contra. Also pictured are Mary Garcia, Flight Line Manager for Business Jet Center, and Dave Mills, General Manager of Business Jet Center.
Freeze and von Contra completed the course in a modified Mooney M20J and have submitted their required flight documentation to the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) in order to claim the record. For the outbound flight, they covered the 253.3 nm course in one hour, 40 minutes, and 48 seconds. For the return trip they made the flight in one hour, 30 minutes, and 13 seconds.
In 2003, Business Jet Center invested $4.5 million to renovate the historic terminal at OAK which included retaining much of the exterior façade of the original structure. Today, Business Jet Center manages more than 100,000 square feet of designated business and general aviation hangar, shop, and office space.
