ARLINGTON, VA – Dave Riggs of Los Angeles and Jeff Acord of San Diego
recently set a pair of world aviation records.

Flying in the L-39C jet fighter “Wild Child” owned by Riggs on March 20 of this year, they flew a course from L.A. to Phoenix in just 39 minutes 58 seconds, claiming a record for Speed Over a Recognized Course at 561.2 miles per hour on the trip. The L-39C they flew is a former Soviet fighter.

Both pilots have set aviation records in the past, and joined some select company by setting another. NAA estimates only several dozen pilots currently hold records in more than one platform, and Acord, 48, now has records for both piston aircraft and jet engine aircraft. Riggs, 43 joined a handful of record setters with records in more than two platforms, with marks in jets, piston engine craft and helicopters. Other pilots with this distinction include Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, adventurer Steve Fossett and SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill.

Both pilots are being featured in upcoming articles in aviation periodicals, including Air & Space magazine, the official magazine of the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum, and Aero, NAA’s magazine.

NAA is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is responsible for verifying all aviation records set in the United States, and it is the custodian of many of the most prestigious awards in aviation. Marking its 100th anniversary in 2005, NAA It is the oldest national aviation organization in the country.