PERU, Ind. (AP): The family of an Air Force pilot who shattered records with a flight from Tokyo to London will gather to mark the 50th anniversary of the event this weekend.

Sidney J. Kubesch completed the more than 8,000-mile trip on Oct. 16, 1963, in 8 hours and 35 minutes.

The trip still holds the record as the longest supersonic flight in history.

The flight brought worldwide attention to Kubesch and his crew. President John F. Kennedy announced the flight's arrival, and media outlets covered the story for months.

Kubesch is now 83. He farmed in Miami County for decades after retiring from the Air Force. He continued flying planes into his 70s.

Daughter Polly Dobbs says family and friends will commemorate the flight this weekend.