One of the most well-known pilots of all time is Charles Lindbergh. What did Lindbergh do
to become so famous? Charles Lindbergh attended the University
of Wisconsin for two years before he decided to drop out. After leaving college, he moved
to Nebraska where he learned how to fly airplanes in 1922. After learning to fly, he had a brief
career as a barnstormer, where he performed stunts as both a parachutist and a wing walker
(someone who stood on the wings of an airplane as it flew).
In 1924, he joined the United States Army Air Service. He graduated first in his class
of eighteen cadets (104 cadets had actually started the training!). After that, he spent
the next two years as the chief pilot on a mail route, flying mail between St. Louis
and Chicago. Then, in 1927, the humble 25-year-old airmail
pilot made a big decision. A reward of $25,000 was being offered to any pilot who could fly
non-stop from New York City to Paris, France. Even though six men had already died attempting
this feat, Lindbergh pursued the goal anyways. He used a loan from the bank, and much of
his personal savings, to purchase a plane which he named the Spirit of St. Louis. The
plane was designed and built specifically for the purpose of flying across the Atlantic,
with much input from Lindbergh as to how it should be constructed.
At 7:52 AM, on May 20, 1927, Lindbergh took to the air, leaving Roosevelt Field with more
than 450 gallons of gasoline. He was in the air for more than 33 hours. During the flight,
he and the Spirit of St. Louis flew through storms, ice, and fog. At times, he was reduced
to navigating only by the stars, and at others he was guided only by pure instinct. He arrived
at Le Bourget Airport, in Paris, at 10:22 PM on Saturday May 21, 1927. He was greeted
by more than 150,000 people who were eagerly anticipating his arrival. They pulled Lindbergh
from his plane and carried him over their heads in triumph. He had just accomplished
something no other human being had ever done in an airplane.
He returned to the United States and was treated to a huge parade in New York City, as well
as official banquets and ceremonies honoring his achievement. For the remainder of his
life, Charles Lindbergh served as one of the most well-known advocates of aviation. He
spoke all over the world about the advantages and safety of air travel. His initial flight
from New York to Paris proved that traveling across the Atlantic by airplane was possible.
Within just a few years, travelers were making this trip on a regular basis.
For his efforts, Lindbergh was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor (an award usually
given to those fighting in combat) by President Calvin Coolidge. He also became the first
ever TIME Magazine "Man of the Year" for the year 1927. There has been at least one well-known
movie made about his life, and he has been honored in many other ways throughout the
years. Additionally, the Spirit of St. Louis is on permanent display in the Smithsonian
Air & Space Museum. There is no doubt that Charles Lindbergh will always be remembered
as one of America's most famous flyers.