Lindbergh's Grandson Arrives in France After Repeat of Historic 1927 Solo Flight

AP ^ | 5-2-02 | Pamela Sampson

[Pharmboy]

LE BOURGET, France (AP) - Erik Lindbergh, two generations later, replicated his grandfather's groundbreaking 1927 solo Atlantic air crossing, landing in Paris on Thursday in half the time it took the aviation pioneer to make the historic journey. Lindbergh's Lancair Columbia 300 - dubbed the New Spirit of St. Louis - landed at Le Bourget airport outside Paris shortly before 11:30 a.m., 17 hours after taking off from Farmingdale, N.Y.

Visibly fatigued, wearing his blue pilot's jumpsuit, Lindbergh addressed his sponsors and about 100 reporters who met him at the small airport.

"It was an amazing time, 1927, and I really wanted to celebrate the 75th anniversary of grandfather's flight," Lindbergh said.

The re-creation was part of anniversary commemorations of Charles Lindbergh's May 20-21, 1927 voyage, the first nonstop solo run from New York to Paris.

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh took five sandwiches with him on the journey but ate only a bite. His grandson brought six sandwiches along and ate one and a half.

"I did it in half the time and ate twice as much," Erik Lindbergh joked. His grandfather's flight time was 33 1/2 hours.

Lindbergh had taken off from Republic Airport in Farmingdale at 12:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday. He already has duplicated the first two legs of his grandfather's journey: from San Diego to St. Louis, and St. Louis to Farmingdale.

Lindbergh said his interest in planes didn't really stem from his grandfather.

"Becoming a pilot was almost accidental," he said. "I didn't really think about it until I was 24 and took a flight with a friend."

"It was sort of accidental," he said. "Not many members of the family fly."

The voyage was designed to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis, which disabled 37-year-old Lindbergh for 15 years before drug treatment helped restore his movement.

Organizers also hope the journey will promote the X Prize Foundation, a St. Louis-based nonprofit group that is offering $10 million to the first private group that can build and launch a manned spacecraft into space, then repeat the feat within two weeks.

"I'm trying to open up space flight for everyone, so that in the near future people like you and I can go and buy a ticket and fly into space," Lindbergh said.

Lindbergh's $289,000 aircraft, made of a glass and carbon composite, has an average cruise speed of 184 mph, compared with the 108 mph of the original Spirit of St. Louis, built for $10,580.

The single-engine plane uses a Global Positioning System navigation device to chart its exact location. In comparison, Charles Lindbergh used deduced reckoning - basically, "holding a compass and guessing at the wind," as his grandson has described it.

[homeschool mama]

I suggest you re-read my original post to you, requesting a source for your allegation. If you're going to put such a label on Lindbergh then kindly back it up. So far, you haven't. That leads me to believe it's a crock. Back it up.

There is no reason for you to insult me as a home educator, Bommer. I would appreciate an apology.

[AzJP]

I'm awake.

I base my knowledge on face-to-face conversations with a gentleman that barnstormed and lived with Mr. Lindbergh.

As long as we're slinging mud, your use of the phrase "Anti-Semtic" might be a tribute to your lack of skills. Perhaps schooling might help. Home or otherwise.

"America first" is an insult? You liked Roosevelt's administrations?

"Liberal" Webster's: Giving freely, giving more than is necessary or usual. Generously large, more in quantity than is necessary or usual. Involving a general enlarging of the mind beyond the merely professional or technical. Not subject to the common prejudices or conventions.

Liber of course, is a root of liberty, which is one of the freedoms of flight.

I can't assume you understand the literal use of words, so you're probably intending a derisive slang.

This might be over your head.

[homeschool mama]

Thank you for providing this information. In the US History reading I've accomplished I've never read this before. Did you obtain this info from a *specific* source...and if so, could you share the source? Thank you kindly.

[AzJP]

I think Bommer might be a bunch of kids, sneaking access to a keyboard when the teacher isn't looking.

[homeschool mama]

Then I think he's set for detention...or at the very least eating a bowl of peas. Little green balls of mushy poison. :o)

[AzJP]

P.S. If you see that movie again, look for the name of the technical adviser, the late Bud Gurney. Barnstormed with Lindbergh. Gurney went on to be a senior DC-8 pilot for United.

[homeschool mama]

Thanks...I'll rent it this time and have a good look. :o)

[Bommer]

Gee all I based my facts were on actual speeches caught on tape and transcribed into print. Past editorials labeling him as Anti-Semetic as well as quoting his Anti-Semtic speeches! Glad you know some 106 year old guy who "barnstormed" with Lindy for a few months and probably years before Lindberghs transatlantic flight. Barnstorming as everybody knows is the best way to find out the political leanings of someone. Imagine the intellectual conversations they must have had at 1500 feet, wing walking and doing barrel rolls from a source you don't name that said he was with Lindy, but far more credible than history itself! Blows any facts I would have away huh? As for the merica First, they leaned farther left than Roosevelt! Mostly comprised of the Communist and Socialist partys to keep the US from fighting in a war. If we would have listened to the wise Lindbergh, the NAZI's would have killed far more than 6 million Jews! But I'm sure you know someone who barnstormed with Hitler who can refute his Anti-Semitic viewpoints.

[weegee]

There are lots of allegations (deserved or not) of Charles being anti-Semitic (including the recent biography). A quick search of Lindbergh and Anti-Semitic will find lots of hits.

That being said, his Grandson could make a veiled reference to this < /sarcam> by attending a (not-really-so)Antiwar.com rally. Those people are anti-Semetic (and not against war) as their recent DC and SF protests showed.

Congratulations on his successful flight.

[traditionalist]

Unfortunately, it's true. Lindbergh was an "America First" -er (isolationist)

What's wrong with the America First movement?

who made speeches against President Roosevelt and "the Jews" who were trying to drag us into World War II.

And he was factually correct on both points.

The other stuff about him being an anti-semite is unsubstantiated libel generated by taking this great patriot's words out of context.

[twigs]

HM, it's been a while since I've read about Lindbergh, but he had a lot of early associations that would lend credibility to the anti-Semitic charge. He even accepted an award from Hitler. He respected Hitler, early on, because he liked the order and manufacturing skill he saw arising from their utter devastation following WWI. He was an isolationist, as were many Americans of that time. However, I do not believe it is correct to label Lindbergh as pro-Nazi. I would have to do some more reading, but I believe that he modified his views over time as more information leaked concerning the truth of what the Nazi's were about.

[homeschool mama]

**HM, it's been a while since I've read about Lindbergh, but he had a lot of early associations that would lend credibility to the anti-Semitic charge. He even accepted an award from Hitler. He respected Hitler, early on, because he liked the order and manufacturing skill he saw arising from their utter devastation following WWI. He was an isolationist, as were many Americans of that time. However, I do not believe it is correct to label Lindbergh as pro-Nazi. I would have to do some more reading, but I believe that he modified his views over time as more information leaked concerning the truth of what the Nazi's were about.**

Thank you for your description of Lindbergh and his stance on the Nazi issue, etc. Seems to be a divided topic. I prefer not to think ill of people before learning facts. To have someone spout off as some have, disturbs me, especially with no sources offered. We'll be studying the era of 1900-current next school year so I have a few months to delve into this particular topic. Any suggestions and sources you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

HSM

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Note: this topic is dated 5/02/2002. Blast from the Past. Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. Thanks Pharmboy. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.