Palmer Hangs Up The Joystick

Fans of The King know not only of Palmer’s exploits in golf, but also of his love of flying. Since 1956, Palmer has been a licensed pilot, winging his way between tournaments, corporate stops and vacations. All told, he’s logged more than 20,000 hours in the cockpit. In 1976, he set a circumnavigation speed record, rounding the globe in 57 hours, 25 minutes, 42 seconds. The record still stands.

Palmer’s days as a pilot are over, however. His current license expires Jan. 31, 2011 and Palmer will not renew it.

See a gallery of Palmer’s life as a pilot, here.