Really around the Patch, the Sequel

Editor's Note: In February, Barbara Marshak Wrote about four Twin Cities businessmen on their trip around the patch, which was the continental U.S. This story is about their second trip ... around the big patch.

By Barbara Marshak

As pilots Randy Pentel and Mark Anderson prepared for their official record-breaking flight around the US perimeter, Ed Mays, a Marine and employee of RP Air suggested utilizing the Toys for Tots program since the flight was scheduled the final week of toy collections.

Left to Right: Pilot Mark Anderson, Official Recorder Mary Alverson and Pilot Randy Pentel

Mays received permission to paint both the Toys for Tots and MARINES logos on the engine covers, or nacelles, and arranged for Marines to meet them at several stops around the country.

The flight left St. Paul on December 15th and began the border trip upon reaching International Falls. Mary Alverson, a commercially rated flight instructor for WINGS, Inc., served as the official recorder. Alverson recorded each VOR as they crossed over as well as tracked each take-off and landing.

As the flight continued around the perimeter, Anderson was given pre-arranged clearance to enter military air-space near Yuma, Arizona. Mays had also coordinated with the VMFT-401st Aggressor Squadron to fly formation with two fighter jets.

These are the ones who play the bad guys in fighter dogfights, Pentel explained.

"The pilot asked me to level off at 12,000 feet doing about 350 mph and enter a holding pattern. In seconds two jets literally slid right up along side. Cockpit to cockpit, we were about 60 feet apart with our wings in-between," Pentel said.

" For 20 to 30 minutes they flew in formation around us. It was awesome."

Although unable to land at Kitty Hawk for the festivities of the Wright Brothers First Flight, Pentel and Anderson completed the journey on December 17th, the 100th anniversary, in less than 45 hours.

The official paperwork has been submitted to the National Aeronautics Association and upon review both pilots will be awarded the record.