Milestones of Flight: The Lindberghs - STEM in 30

Charles Lindbergh is probably best known for making the first solo flight across the Atlantic in the "Spirit of St. Louis." However, Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, also reached other milestones in aviation. This episode of STEM in 30 explores the Lindberghs' aviation-related accomplishments.
This program is made possible through the generous support of the Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation.
See more STEM in 30: airandspace.si.edu/stemin30

[@darrensmith6999]

Thank you Wonderful video! I have recently developed an interest in Capt. Charles Lindberg s adventures and other than the famous movie Spirit of St Louis staring James Stewart , i knew very little. I did not know about Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's trip to the orient . Truly amazing couple.

[@albertogarciaarango2411]

The history of the SPIRIT OF SAN LOUIS and his pilot Capt. Charles Lindberg is one of the most important events in the aviation industry. Thanks for this conference.

[@tedball3138]

Please do not forget what also happened in 1931: Miss Veedol was the first airplane to fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean. On October 5, 1931, Clyde Pangborn and co-pilot Hugh Herndon crash-landed in the hills of East Wenatchee, Washington following a 41-hour flight from Sabishiro Beach, Misawa, Japan, across the northern Pacific. The flight won the pair the 1931 Harmon Trophy in recognition of the greatest achievement in flight for that year.

[@henryhall9623]

OK, I'm slightly amazed (or maybe not) that the "going to the bathroom" question wasn't answered. Reportedly, when Lindbergh met with King George of England, the King brought up the subject with the question "Captain Lindbergh, there is one thing I long to know: how did you pee?" Lindbergh, somewhat amused, revealed that he had an aluminum bottle with a cork for that purpose. He further revealed that he got rid of it over Ireland because he didn't want to be caught with it at Le Bourget. That's from his biography by the way.

[@andrewcabral5245]

Amazing!

[@katybrennan8222]

I think the New York to Paris flight was riskier. Lindy had only a couple of hours sleep before he started, and he never flew The Spirit of St. Louis fully loaded during flight tests. He also faced obstacles at the end of the runway and the engine was running at 200 revs too slow. That was due to the humidity in the morning of that flight. He had a tailwind which isn't good for takeoff but it helped him across the ocean and he arrived in Paris ahead of his estimated time.

[@dickjohnson4268]

The prop blade angle was increased by 1° in pitch for better cruise economy and the carb heat was wired for constant heat for the entire flight. The static rpm was 30 revs low initially. All contributing factors with the added contaminated airfield conditions. None of Donald Hall's performance charts were valid under these conditions.

[@fredsalfa]

Thanks for that it was very interesting

[@ricardofranco9946]

The linbergh's dohter is an admirable and talented human bean, with a heart big as the spirit of her parents. When I visit the museum for sure I buy her books. I have a question, and maybe if you have the time can you answer it: when the spirit of Saint Louis fly to Mexico, Gral Lindbergh loose their course an (some people said) he land in somewhere to ask local people, where is the city of Mexico?? Where was that place? And where he finally landed with a big delay in Mexico City? Thanks.

[@ransome51]

I wonder why there is typically no mention of the first pilots to cross the Atlantic - Alcock and Brown - who did it in 1919, 8 years before Lindy and in a much more primitive plane as well in these types of videos?

[@katybrennan8222]

The real reason why he put the main fuel tank in front of the cockpit is that so he would not " become the meat of a grisly sandwich " if he crashed! Luckly he took off for Paris and landed safely at Le Bourget airport.

[@katybrennan8222]

@joe jitsu actually the fully loaded gas tank is heavier than the aviator so the tank was in the middle with the cockpit behind it. Yes ,the fuselage looks short and unstable. Lindbergh designed it that way to help him stay sharp and awake til he landed in Paris.

[@katybrennan8222]

@joe jitsu actually, I've read alot about Lindbergh and his cute airplane. Been reading for most of my life, I'm more than half a century old. Learning doesn't stop when one leaves school. The Spirit has more than one gas tank, actually 4, three in the wings and one in the fuselage. Lindbergh had a system in which he would alternate between them, therefore keeping the plane balanced. He had the tailwind all throughout his flight! He still had plenty of gas when he landed in Paris! He had wanted to continue to fly further east but the president wanted him home. The airplane was unique for it's era. It has a J5 Wright Whirlwind engine that was state of the art and a carburetor with a heater. Lindbergh chose it for it's weight and reliability. The wings are thick and long to contain the other gas tanks. When Lindbergh took off, the plane was fully loaded for the first time! The flight tests were cut short because he was in competition with other aviators. He WAS lucky to have a successful takeoff. Some of his competitors crashed and burned! Two Frenchmen, coming from Paris to New York, were lost at sea. I suggest you read 'We' and 'The Spirit of St Louis' , very good books by Charles Lindbergh. Very good books!!!

[@katybrennan8222]

@joe jitsu actually, there are 4 gas tanks in the Spirit, Three in the wings, left, right and center, and one beyond the instrument panel. Lindy had a system of using them alternately so that the engine, a J5 Wright Whirlwind ,would get a constant flow. As he flew, the plane would get lighter. Yes, it was not a stable plane but it was designed that way to help keep him awake. I've been studying about Lindbergh, his airplane,and aviation for most of my life and I'm more than half a century old. Learning doesn't stop when one leaves school. I suggest you read 'We' and 'The Spirit of St Louis' by Charles Lindbergh. You will enjoy those books as I have, I hope. Amazing!!!

[@brucewhite7069]

did lindbergh return fly from Paris?

[@katybrennan8222]

No. He returned via steamship after visiting Belgium and the UK.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Regarding going to bathroom in his flight: When I was in the military, we would drive deusenhalf trucks in caravan long distances. I would take an empty 2-Liter soda bottle and pee in that then cap it tight. Female soldier riding shotgun would kindly just look out her window.