Jean-Claude Quenault, new world record holder!
News from 12 March 2021. Last updated on 22 March 2021: some information may have changed. Latest news
On 11 July 2020, Jean-Claude Quenault took on a bold challenge: flying from Dunkirk to Oloron Sainte Marie to set a new world record. The FAI officially validated it on Thursday 11 March 2021.
A sporting feat
Jean-Claude Quenault is an adventurer at heart. A great sportsman, he has already tried to break several records. On 11 July 2020, he set off on a new attempt from Dunkirk in the north. After meticulous preparation lasting several months, he was finally ready to try to beat a record that was almost 35 years old. That record was then held by Mrs Patricia Taillebresse. She had reached Nîmes from Leopoldsburg in Belgium, a distance of more than 811 km!
A flight across France
On 11 July 2020, Jean-Claude took off from the north of France, at Dunkirk. His flight to Oloron Ste Marie took him from the north to the south of France. He kept to his flight plan, which took him via Rouen, Tours and Angoulême, before finally arriving in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. He tells us, “I was able to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the landscapes, from the Opal Coast to my Touraine (he lives and flies at Loches), all the way to the Pyrenees mountains”. The flight lasted almost 12 hours: he left Dunkirk at 5:43 am and landed at Oloron at 5:50 pm.
The flight, from Dunkirk to Oloron Ste Marie
Strict rules to follow
Setting a world record means meticulous preparation, from the last hours before departure to several hours after arrival. On the eve of departure, officials weighed the machine, the fuel and the pilot. The machine weighed 120,6 kg empty. With the pilot and fuel, only 239,8 kg! These weighings are essential for a record attempt. The machine and the fuel were then sealed before take-off the following morning. Once the flight is over, these measurements have to be taken again on arrival, and a file must then be completed and sent to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale so that they can validate the record.
Left: Jean-Claude Quenault; right: Mr Théodon, official
Head full of projects
The record was therefore validated by the FAI on Thursday 11 March 2021. Jean-Claude was contacted by the Federation's National Technical Adviser, Mohamed Azzouni, who announced the very good news. Jean-Claude, “delighted, happy and surprised” by the news, said he was ready to break new barriers: “the goal is clear: to pass the 1000 km mark in a straight line. Unfortunately we will have to leave France. Why not start from Germany or Scotland. We would like to make this flight very soon, from the end of April 2021.”
The FFPLUM will again support Jean-Claude in his record attempt! We will keep you informed of his new record quest soon!
