Saturdays saw an extraordinary event unfold as 41-year-old Italian daredevil Dario Costa, piloting a customized Zivko Edge 540-Rennwagen, masterfully passed through the Twin-Gatarka tunnel on Turkey's northern Marmara Autobahn. This breathtaking moment catapulted Costa into Guinness World Record history, clinching no less than five records: longest tunnel traversed by a plane, first aircraft to fly through a tunnel, longest distance flown beneath a fixed barrier, first aircraft to fly between two tunnels, and, eventually, the certificate-acknowledged initial record.
Determined to uphold perfection in every detail, Costa and mentor Péter Besenyei, alongside a resolute team of 40 Red Bull members, meticulously planned the operation from start to finish, meticulously considering factors such as timing and precise wing measurements. The flight took place on September 4, 2021, at 6:43 AM to take advantage of optimal early morning sunlight.
According to the Guinness World Records, Costa soared an astounding 2.26 kilometers (1.4 miles) throughout the daring escapade[1]. Reflecting on the successful execution, Costa admitted to harboring doubts but went on to express overwhelming relief and sheer exhilaration.
Born and raised in Bologna, Costa honed his passion for aviation alongside maintaining a pool cleaning profession. Gearing up for his role as a stuntman in the forthcoming Mission: Impossible 7, which is filming in Italy, Costa's dreams of the sky remain triumphantly incesant[1].
Relevant Insights:
- Italian stunt pilot Dario Costa soared beyond expectations by setting a Guinness World Record by flying a plane through a tunnel in Turkey on September 4, 2021, becoming the first civilian airplane to fly through a tunnel and setting the record for the longest tunnel flown by an aircraft[1].
