Lyle Shelton

Lyle Thomas Shelton (1933–2010) was an American aviator who set the world's absolute propeller-driven 3-kilometer speed record of 528.329 mph.

Early life Lyle Thomas Shelton was born in Brownfield, Texas, on June 15, 1933.

Career A former US naval aviator, Shelton was an airline pilot for his professional career, flying for Trans World Airlines (TWA). During his career at TWA, he flew Boeing 707s, 727s, Douglas DC-9s and the Lockheed L-1011. He retired from TWA in 1991.

As an air race pilot, Shelton won ten Unlimited air races, more than any other pilot, and six U.S. national championships at the Reno National Championship Air Races, second only to Darryl Greenamyer. He set the world's absolute propeller-driven 3-kilometer speed record of 528.329 mph.

Shelton was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1999.

As an air race pilot, Shelton is best known for flying the highly modified Grumman F8F "Rare Bear", which he restored in 1969 and raced until his retirement from racing after the 1997 Reno National Championship Air Races.

Death Shelton died in 2010.

Notable wins 1971 Cape May 1971 National point champion for Unlimited 1973 Miami 1973 Reno (Unlimited national champion) 1973 National point champion for Unlimited 1975 National point champion for Unlimited 1988 National point champion for Unlimited 1989 National point champion for Unlimited 1990 Reno (Unlimited national champion) 1990 National point champion for Unlimited 1991 National point champion for Unlimited 1988 Reno Unlimited Gold race speed record, 456.821 mph 1991 Reno Unlimited Gold race speed record, 481.618 mph