Originally published in 1998
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. won the American Helicopter Society’s prestigious Igor 1. Sikorsky International Trophy in April 1997 because of native Texans John W. Williams of Arlington and Ron Bower of Austin. These pilots assured themselves a place in aviation history by establishing a new around-the-world-speed record in a helicopter.
The feat was accomplished in a Fort Worth-based, twin-engine Bell 430 helicopter that flew westward from London, England on August 17, 1996; returning to London on September 3. The world record of 17 days, six hours, 14 minutes, and 25 seconds is notably entered in the Guinness Book of Records. The flight covered 23,600 statute miles over 14 countries, including Russia, where, with a navigator-interpreter aboard, the pilots made 18 landings. The journey covered every state except Hawaii and was instrumental in the team gathering extensive data for a pilot-fatigue study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Williams is a senior test pilot for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc, Fort Worth, Texas and Bower is president of Austin Jet International, Austin, Texas.
Of historical note, Williams comes from a family of Texas’ most active pioneers – a great-great grandson of an early Texas settler named Leonard Williams. Leonard Williams was a Texas pioneer; soldier; and Indian agent who made history in early Texas as an interpreter and negotiator for the ‘Texians’ with various Indian tribes. Arriving in northern Texas in 1819 with his family, the senior Williams quickly began his service for Texas Independence. Leonard Williams died on April 14, 1854 and is buried on private land in Limestone County. The U.S. Congressional Record of April 8, 1965 cites his service to Texas and by the Texas Legislature in May 1965. A historical marker on Texas 31 near Mount Calm is placed in his honor.
Source: Texas Highways, August 1998