On May 21, 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in history, flying his Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" 5,810 kilometers (3,610 miles) between Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York, and Paris, France, in 33 hours, 30 minutes. With this flight, Lindbergh won the $25,000 prize offered by New York hotel owner Raymond Orteig to the first aviator to fly an aircraft directly across the Atlantic between New York and Paris. When he landed at Le Bourget Field in Paris, Lindbergh became a world hero who would remain in the public eye for decades.

The aftermath of the flight was the "Lindbergh boom" in aviation: aircraft industry stocks rose in value and interest in flying skyrocketed. Lindbergh's subsequent U.S. tour in the "Spirit of St. Louis" demonstrated the potential of the airplane as a safe, reliable mode of transportation. Following the U.S. tour, Lindbergh took the aircraft on a goodwill flight to Central and South America, where flags of the countries he visited were painted on the cowling.

"Spirit of St. Louis" was named in honor of Lindbergh's supporters in St. Louis, Missouri, who paid for the aircraft. "NYP" is an acronym for "New York-Paris," the object of the flight.

Design Features:

The "Spirit of St. Louis" was designed by Donald Hall under the direct supervision of Charles Lindbergh. It is a highly modified version of a conventional Ryan M-2 strut-braced monoplane, powered by a reliable Wright J-5C engine. Because the fuel tanks were located ahead of the cockpit for safety in case of an accident, Lindbergh could not see directly ahead, except by using a periscope on the left side or by turning the airplane and looking out a side window. The two tubes beneath the fuselage are flare dispensers that were installed for Lindbergh's flights to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis

The Ryan Aircraft Corporation's Spirit of St. Louis is perhaps one of the two most famous aircraft ever built (the other being the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer). With Charles Lindbergh as pilot, it became the first aircraft to successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean in May 1927. Its marathon 33-hour, nonstop, nonrefueled flight departed Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York and when the plane landed at LeBourget Airport in Paris, France, Lindbergh became an international hero overnight. The Spirit of St. Louis was enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution's National Air Space Museum, alongside the Wright Brothers' aircraft.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Ryan Airlines Co., San Diego, Calif., 1927
Designation: NYP Spirit of St. Louis

Length: 27'-8"
Wingspan: 46'-0"
Height: 9'-10"
Empty Weight: 2,150 lbs
Design Gross Weight: 5,135 lbs
Maximum Speed: 129 mph
Maximum Range: 4,210 miles
Maximum Altitude: 15,000 ft
Engine Type: 295 hp Wright Whirlwind J-5C

Charles A. Lindbergh (1902-1974) born on Feb 4 U.S. aviator. "The Lone Eagle," made 1st solo nonstop trans-Atlantic flight NY to Paris, 1927; wrote "The Spirit of St. Louis," 1953.

In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.

Isn't it strange that what we talk least about the things we think about most!

If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.

I have seen the science I worshiped and the aircraft I loved destroying the civilization I expected them to serve.

Is he alone who has courage on his right hand and faith on his left hand?