I have posted about my own aviation journey. The 20th of May is an outstanding day for aviators. It was on the 20th of May, 1927, that Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, bound for Paris. It was also on the 20th of May, but in 1932, that Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland on the first solo flight across the Atlantic by a female aviator.
Born on the 4th of February, 1902, in Detroit, Michigan, Lindbergh’s fascination with aviation was ignited at a young age, inspired by the pioneering feats of the Wright brothers and other early aviators. He pursued this passion, enrolling in flight training and eventually becoming a U.S. Air Mail pilot, where he honed his skills and developed a keen understanding of aircraft mechanics.
Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight, when he piloted his custom-built monoplane, the Spirit of St. Louis, from Roosevelt Field in New York to Le Bourget Field near Paris, covered a staggering 3,600 miles and took 33.5 hours, during which Lindbergh navigated through treacherous weather conditions and fought against fatigue to successfully land in Paris. His triumphant arrival was met with an ecstatic reception, and he was lauded as a hero on both sides of the Atlantic.
Beyond his aviation accomplishments, Lindbergh was a complex and sometimes controversial figure. He was an outspoken advocate for aviation innovation, contributing significantly to the field as a consultant and inventor. However, his views during the lead-up to World War II, particularly his opposition to U.S. involvement and controversial speeches perceived as sympathetic to Nazi Germany, drew widespread criticism.
Amelia Earhart was born on the 24th of July, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. Her life was characterised by her relentless pursuit of the skies. From a young age, she defied societal norms, embracing her passion for aviation at a time when female pilots were a rarity.
Her audacious spirit was evident when she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, a feat that brought her international acclaim and secured her place in history. Setting off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Earhart battled inclement weather and mechanical issues, finally landing in a pasture in Culmore, Northern Ireland. This flight, arduous and groundbreaking, served not only to highlight her piloting skills but also to challenge gender roles, showcasing what women were capable of achieving.
Amelia’s ambitions only grew from there. She embarked on various record-setting flights, each one expanding the horizons of women in aviation. Her Lockheed Vega, popularly known as the “Little Red Bus,” became synonymous with her achievements. Beyond her flying prowess, Earhart was a tireless advocate for women in aviation and a founding member of The Ninety-Nines, an organisation of female aviators that still exists today.
In 1937, Earhart embarked on her most ambitious flight yet: a circumnavigational trip around the globe, this time in a Lockheed Electra. Tragically, this journey would end in mystery. On the 2nd of July, 1937, her plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island, and despite extensive search efforts, neither Earhart nor her navigator Fred Noonan were ever found.
I apologise for the image. You wouldn’t believe how many times I told ChatGBT “that looks nothing like the Spirit of St. Louis”, whereupon it told me I was right, described the aircraft correctly, and then recreated something even less like what it had just described.