May 20 – Flying Firsts Day

May 20, 2021

Posted on May 20, 2021

This is an update of my post published on May 20, 2010:

On this day in 1927, Charles Lindbergh became the first man to fly across the Atlantic Ocean nonstop and alone.

On this day in 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to do the same feat!

Both these aviators (airplane pilots) became very famous for their flying, and both used their fame to promote air travel. They had fascinating lives with the peaks of fame and achievement offset by the valleys of mistakes, failings, and tragedies.

The most famous of these downturns is Amelia Earhart’s disappearance and presumed death while trying to fly solo around the world. Probably one reason for the continued fascination with Earhart’s solo attempt is the fact that it remains a mystery as to exactly how, where, and why she died.

Learn More About Lindbergh

To save weight on the plane, guess what Lindbergh did without on that long, lonely flight from the U.S. to Paris, France?

“To reduce weight, everything that was not utterly essential was left out. There would be no radio, gas gauge, night-flying lights, navigation equipment, or parachute.”

That quote comes from an interesting (short) article – check out the entire article for more cool info about the first oceanic crossing!

Here is a coloring page of Lindbergh.