A trailblazing moment in aviation occurred on january 19th, 1937, when howard hughes set a transcontinental air record by flying from los angeles to newark in 7 hours, 28 minutes, and 25 … Hughes broke the transcontinental u. s. Speed record in the h-l on january 19, 1937, flying from los angeles to newark, new jersey, in 7 hours, 28 minutes, and 25 seconds.