Was the Simon O-H Eastbound record officially recognised?
If I remember rightly they flew up into the artic to fly through most of the meridians/time zones which according to the rules published by the FAI is not allowed. Maybe the FAI changed the rules after the attempt - I don't know.
The following is posted of the FAI website outlining the requirements to be met for claiming the around the world record.
5.3.5 SPEED AROUND THE WORLD (EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND)
5.3.5.1 The course, including the control points, shall be approved in advance by the NAC's concerned and must start and finish at the same place, crossing all meridians. The length of the course shall not be less than 36'787,559 kilometres (equal in length to the Tropic of Cancer).
5.3.5.2 All control points must be at a latitude of less than 66 degrees 33 minutes (outside the North and South Frigid Zones).
5.3.5.3 If due to circumstances the final landing cannot be made at the point of departure, the rotorcraft may be timed over the finish line on an alternate point lying beyong the original one (at a greater distance from which the start was made).
5.3.5.4 Intermediate landing places, turn or control points must be declared and agreed in advance with the NACs concerned.
5.3.5.5 Any time spent on the ground between start and finish shall be counted as flying time.
5.3.5.6 Refuelling on the ground or in flights is permitted.
5.3.5.7 Repair or replacements of parts of the rotorcrafts rotors and engine(s) are permitted except that the winglets and fuselage may not be changed.
5.3.5.8
Crew members may not be changed during the attempt. However, in the casse of an emergency a crew member, other than the pilot-in-command, may leave but must not be replaced. Passengers may be changed during the attempt.
Anyone got a definitive answer?