A Pilot's Memoir.

"I took off that morning at 7:26 AM from Starcrest PMC's Skidder Air Force Base in my SCF-72 Tripoli. My goal was to figure out the maximum altitude this bird could operate at. The anticipation was palpable as I ascended, the sky clear and blue, providing the perfect backdrop for this historic flight. The SCF-72 responded beautifully, its advanced systems and sleek design cutting through the atmosphere with ease. As I climbed higher, the familiar landscape below began to fade, replaced by the endless expanse of the upper atmosphere. The altimeter continued to rise, and the thrill of the ascent kept my focus sharp. When I finally reached an astounding altitude of 261,324 feet, traveling at Mach 3.66, I knew we had achieved something extraordinary. The SCF-72 had proven its incredible potential, setting a new world record and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aviation."

"The engine just started to kinda get more quiet. I figured that was the case due to the thin air. However, the scientists reassured me that the engine was some new-fangled technology that would keep me afloat and staying at a steady cruising speed. They had explained how it was designed to perform optimally even in such extreme conditions. Trusting their expertise, I continued to climb, the SCF-72 Tripoli demonstrating its prowess and resilience at altitudes where other aircraft would falter."

"After about 3 hours or so, I began the descent, confident I had broken the record. But for some reason, the electronics began to give out. Apparently, the electrical power was more focused on the engine since it couldn't get enough oxygen at these heights. However, this meant I could barely steer, hell, figure out where I was. The plane began its descent into god-knows-where. This sudden malfunction threw me into a situation I wasn't fully prepared for, and I had to rely on my training and instincts to navigate the descent as safely as possible. The challenge tested not only the aircraft's limits but also my own resolve and adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances."

"Once I came back to a reassuring 40,000 feet, I realized that the ground looked more desert than when I left. It didn't feel like Nevada anymore. I tried to radio the ATC back at Skidder only to realize I was unable to. Peering to the left of me, I saw a pyramid. You've gotta be joking me. Was I actually in Egypt? The realization hit me like a ton of bricks—somehow, my record-breaking ascent and subsequent descent had taken me halfway around the world. The SCF-72 Tripoli's incredible speed and altitude capabilities had brought me to an entirely different continent in just a few hours."

"Eventually, I decided to switch my radio to another channel to contact the ATC at Cairo's international airport and request a landing. They had to clear the runway and inform other aircraft that a VIP plane was coming in to land. It felt great as the plane finally touched down on the runway, feeling a sense of pride that I had just broken the previous record. It was a surreal moment, knowing that I had achieved something extraordinary and navigated an unexpected detour to make history. The achievement was not just about reaching new heights but also about the incredible journey that brought me to this point."

A small drone with a camera mounted to it was launched from the aircraft to take this iconic photo.