Cal Poly Aerospace Professor Leads Record-Setting High-Altitude Flight
Cal Poly aerospace engineering professor Paulo Iscold directed a high-altitude flight test on October 28, 2025, that sent a lightweight Carbon Cub UL to 37,609 feet over California’s Central Coast. This climb surpassed the altitude record for Cub-style airplanes set in 1951.
The flight took off from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport at 9:55 a.m. and reached its peak altitude after about an hour of climbing in temperatures near minus 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Test pilot Jon Kotwicki flew the aircraft while Iscold acted as project manager and flight test lead.
Live Educational Experience for Students
More than breaking a record, Iscold used the flight as a live lesson for his students, who listened as he coordinated with the pilot and air traffic control during the session.
“Teaching by doing, together is what we want them to experience,” Iscold said. “These were airline pilots on the frequency, and students listened to all of it, live.”
Significance of the Flight
Although not an official Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) record attempt, the flight exceeded the 30,203-foot altitude set in 1951 by aviator Caro Bayley in a Piper Super Cub and surpassed the official ultralight altitude record of 35,062 feet set in 1996.
This achievement gave Cal Poly students a unique opportunity to observe a classic bush-plane configuration operating in stratospheric conditions in real time.
“This is my 17th aviation record, and it was one of the most fun to go after,” Iscold said.
Author's summary: Paulo Iscold led a high-altitude flight exceeding longstanding records, offering students an exceptional, real-time educational experience in aerospace engineering.