Unison Ignites Bruce Bohannon and the Exxon Flyin Tiger to Seven World Records

Autolite Aviation Spark Plugs and the Complete Unison Ignition System Propel Bohannon to 41,611 Feet and Seven Records in a Single Flight, a First for a Homebuilt Piston Engine Aircraft

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA (PRWEB) May 7, 2003 - The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the air sports federation responsible for the control and certification of world aeronautical and astronautical records, certified that Bruce Bohannon and his Exxon Flyin Tiger established seven world records in a single flight on October 22, 2002. Powered by an engine with a complete Unison ignition system, Bruce Bohannon set four world records in the Class C-1.b aircraft category (piston engine aircraft weighing 1,102 -- 2,205 pounds). For this category, Bohannon set the absolute altitude record (41,611 feet), the time-to-climb to 12,000 meters record (31 minutes, 3 seconds), the time-to-climb to 9,000 meters record (16 minutes, 3 seconds), and the record for altitude in horizontal flight (40,604 feet). The FAI also declared that the two time-to-climb records and the altitude in horizontal flight record were world records in the Class C-1 Unlimited category that covers all piston engine aircraft of any weight. Setting seven world records in a single flight is an unprecedented accomplishment for a homebuilt piston engine aircraft.

The Exxon Flyin Tiger is equipped with Slick Magnetos, a Slick Ignition Harness, a SlickSTART Magneto Start Booster, and a complete set of Autolite Aviation Spark Plugs, all manufactured by Unison Industries.

When we came home from California, we thought we had four world records in the bag," said Bohannon. But after reviewing notes and videotape after the flight, we realized we could file a claim for seven records. Time-to-climb records have been recorded since the 1950s, and in all that time no other piston engine aircraft has ever succeeded in racing to 12,000 meters. The Exxon Flyin Tiger and the Race 89 team continue to rely on Unisons ignition products to help us achieve our goals. And I can confirm that Autolite Aviation Spark Plugs and the complete Unison ignition system deliver exceptional performance, even at an altitude of 41,611 feet."

Bohannons Race 89 team and Unison products have proved to be a winning combination. In the mid-1990s, Bohannon broke the 3,000, 6,000, and 9,000-meter time-to-climb world records in Pushy Galore, a class C-1.a aircraft now on display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In 1999, Unisons ignition system powered Bohannon to the 3,000-meter time-to-climb record for class C-1.b aircraft. In 2000, Bohannon shattered the 9,000-meter time-to-climb world record for class C-1.b aircraft by nearly ten minutes. He also broke the 6,000-meter time-to-climb world record for class C-1.b aircraft on another flight in 2000. In 2001, Bohannon set the record for sustained horizontal flight for class C-1.b aircraft (35,497 feet), breaking a 17-year old record by more than 1,750 feet.

Bruce Bohannon lives in Angleton, Texas. Bohannon is known for holding all of the time-to-climb world records for class C-1.a and C-1.b piston engine aircraft. His record-holding Exxon Flyin Tiger is also one of the most photographed aircraft at aviation trade shows. The aircraft is now adorned with Autolite Annie" nose art painted by Teresa Stokes, a famous air show wing-walker and artist.

Unison, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GE Engine Services, Inc., is a leader in the design and manufacture of electrical components, sensors, and systems for aircraft, industrial, marine, and space uses. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Unison operates manufacturing facilities and logistics centers worldwide. Additional information about Unison is available at www.unisonindustries.com. SlickSTART is a trademark of Unison Industries. Autolite is a registered trademark of Honeywell International, Inc. Unison manufactures Autolite Aviation Spark Plugs under license from Honeywell International, Inc.

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