Voyager completes first non-stop, non-refueled round-the-world flight 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 23 1986)


Video: 'Voyager Completes Flight 12/23/1986 / ABC News Coverage'

(Tuesday, December 23, 1986, 8:06 a.m. PST) — Sweeping out of a clear desert sky and into aviation history, the experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, landed safely early today at Edwards Air Force Base (60 miles northeast of Los Angeles), completing the first non-stop, non-refueled round-the-world flight.

The journey of 25,012 miles set records for distance flown without refueling and for endurance by aviators on such a flight. The trip, which began at Edwards, took 9 days 3 minutes 44 seconds.