Jim Record, Pilot

Jim Record grew up and currently resides on Long Island, the Cradle of Aviation. His father served in WWII on a bomber crew, which nurtured Jim’s early interest in aviation.

Jim first flew with the Civil Air Patrol, later earning both his Pilot’s license and a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York. Recruited into the United States Navy at Floyd Bennett Field, LCDR Record served as an IP in Formation, Gunnery, Carrier Landings and frequent long cross-country flights. He flew T-2’s, F-9’s, T-28’s, T-34’s, S-2’s, and A-4’s during his tour of duty.

After leaving the Navy, Jim flew corporate planes before later becoming a pilot for a major commercial airlines. During his 30-year career, he flew the Douglas DC-9, Boeing 757, 747-400 and Airbus A-330 worldwide.  Jim recently retired from a major airline. He now splits his flying time between WW1 fighters, antique biplanes and flying with the GEICO Skytypers.

Jim joined the Skytypers in 1992, and was one of the original Airshow Team pilots. Jim has previously flown as Lead Solo, Wing Solo and backup Lead. To date, Jim has flown over 50 different aircraft ranging from 154-pound ultralights to 1,000,000-pound jumbo jets as well as blimps, helicopters, seaplanes and sailplanes. Additional types of vintage aircraft flown include the WWI SPAD VII, Nieuport XXIV, Fokker D.VII, rotary engine powered Sopwith Camel, Cauldron G3, and the vintage Great Lakes 2T and Fleet 16 biplanes