Dan Grunloh (View larger image)

On November 5th 2006, Dan Grunloh of Loda, Illinois completed a cross-country flight which qualifies him for the FAI Gold Colibri Award. The Colibri are a series of internationally recognized achievement awards for ultralight or microlight pilots. The tasks focus primarily on navigation, but include deadstick landings and competition experience.

To earn the award, he flew a predicted cross-country flight of 850 miles in 4.5 days using only traditional navigation methods of pilotage and dead reckoning. No GPS was used. A total of 14 airports were visited in 5 states. The flight was made in a single seat Air Creation ultralight cruising 53 MPH. The longest leg was 87 miles. This is the second Gold Colibri to be awarded to a pilot from the USA. The first was earned by Mike Brawner in 1988.

The official observer for the flight was Dave Patrick of Milford, Illinois who followed a parallel course in a Kitfox and witnessed each leg of the flight. The Kitfox was able to carry additional camping gear which helped make the trip possible.

Dan Grunloh has been flying ultralights for 20 years. He won the U.S. National Microlight Championships in 2002 and 2004, and has represented the USA in world competitions in England and France.