The Spirit of ST Louis by Charles A. Lindbergh Page A
Authors: Charles A. Lindbergh
Tags: United States, General, Historical, History, Biography & Autobiography, Biography, Transportation, Transatlantic Flights, Adventurers & Explorers, Air Pilots, Aviation, Spirit of St. Louis (Airplane)
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excellent cruising speed.
Two months – – – that would let me start tests some time in April. I could still be ready to take off when the weather breaks in spring.
15
"I've never heard of the Ryan Company."
"Do you think they can build a plane with enough performance, Slim?"
Bixby and Knight are looking at the two telegrams I' laid before them.
"All I know is that Ryan mail planes have a pretty good reputation," I answer.
"Well, I certainly wouldn't turn them down because we haven't heard of them," Knight tells me. "They probably haven't heard of us either. What kind of plane do the make?"
"It's a high-wing monoplane, like Bellanca's, only it's got an open cockpit, and the span is shorter," I reply.
"At least they're anxious to build us a plane," Bixby say "That puts them ahead of the other companies we've tried Do you want to go out to California and talk to them, Slim?"
"I don't know any other way to find out what the Ryan people can do," I reply. "I can't very well size them up until see them."
"Well, we'd better move right up on it then. How soon can you start?"
"Within a week. I don't know how long I'll be away, of course. If we decide to buy a plane, I'll stay in California while it's being built – – – I'll take care of my owe expenses on this trip."
"No, you won't," Bixby says. "We're in this with you We'll split up on all those things."
16
"Here's a telegram for you." A Robertson mechanic hands it to me as I jump down from the front cockpit of my training plane, on Lambert Field. I tear the envelope open and read:
WESTERN
UNION
PASSAIC N.J. 1110 AM 2-6-27
CHAS. A. LINDBERGH
ROBERTSON AIRCRAFT CORP.
ANGLUM MO.
SORRY DELAYED AS HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN STOP WILLING TO MAKE ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION ON THE BELLANCA AIRPLANE FOR PARIS FLIGHT STOP SUGGEST YOU COME NEW YORK SOON POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET TOGETHER IN QUICKEST MANNER STOP WIRE ME CARE COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 5104 WOOLWORTH BUILDING NEW YORK
BELLANCA
Bellanca must have organized a new company, and bought his one existing plane from the Wright Corporation. His message came just in time; in two more days, I would have left for California. In another week, I might have signed a contract with Ryan Airlines.
Then the Wright-Bellanca is at last available; and now I have the financial backing to buy it. I'll be ahead of everyone else. I'll have the best plane for the flight, and plenty of time to test it before weather clears in the spring. I'll get big fuselage tanks put in, fly nonstop to St. Louis, fill them up, and break the world's endurance record—I'll try for forty-eight hours, at least, without landing. After that, we'll have the Whirlwind torn down and inspected to see if any parts show excessive strain or wear; and at the same time we'll give the plane a final going over. Then I'll be ready to take off for Paris whenever conditions are best. Meanwhile I'll assemble equipment for the flight. I'll study methods of long-range navigation. How does a pilot locate his position over the ocean—by day—by night? How accurate is a sextant sight? How can one measure drift above water? – – –But it's difficult to concentrate on such items. The future is too broad and full. Life is overflowing.
I wire Bellanca that our St. Louis organization is complete, and that I'm coming to New York, as he suggests.
home
17
"Captain Lindbergh, I want you to meet Mr. Levine, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Columbia Aircraft Corporation – – – And this is Mr. Chamberlin, our pilot."
Bellanca, smiling and pleasant, introduces me. We shake hands. I'm in the Corporation's offices in the Woolworth Building, New York City.
"So you want to buy our Bellanca?"
Mr. Levine's eyes size me up as he speaks.
"Yes sir. That depends, of course, on the price. We want to buy a plane for the New York-to-Paris flight," I tell him.
"We will sell the Bellanca," he says. "It is the best you can get
Two months – – – that would let me start tests some time in April. I could still be ready to take off when the weather breaks in spring.
15
"I've never heard of the Ryan Company."
"Do you think they can build a plane with enough performance, Slim?"
Bixby and Knight are looking at the two telegrams I' laid before them.
"All I know is that Ryan mail planes have a pretty good reputation," I answer.
"Well, I certainly wouldn't turn them down because we haven't heard of them," Knight tells me. "They probably haven't heard of us either. What kind of plane do the make?"
"It's a high-wing monoplane, like Bellanca's, only it's got an open cockpit, and the span is shorter," I reply.
"At least they're anxious to build us a plane," Bixby say "That puts them ahead of the other companies we've tried Do you want to go out to California and talk to them, Slim?"
"I don't know any other way to find out what the Ryan people can do," I reply. "I can't very well size them up until see them."
"Well, we'd better move right up on it then. How soon can you start?"
"Within a week. I don't know how long I'll be away, of course. If we decide to buy a plane, I'll stay in California while it's being built – – – I'll take care of my owe expenses on this trip."
"No, you won't," Bixby says. "We're in this with you We'll split up on all those things."
16
"Here's a telegram for you." A Robertson mechanic hands it to me as I jump down from the front cockpit of my training plane, on Lambert Field. I tear the envelope open and read:
WESTERN
UNION
PASSAIC N.J. 1110 AM 2-6-27
CHAS. A. LINDBERGH
ROBERTSON AIRCRAFT CORP.
ANGLUM MO.
SORRY DELAYED AS HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN STOP WILLING TO MAKE ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION ON THE BELLANCA AIRPLANE FOR PARIS FLIGHT STOP SUGGEST YOU COME NEW YORK SOON POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET TOGETHER IN QUICKEST MANNER STOP WIRE ME CARE COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 5104 WOOLWORTH BUILDING NEW YORK
BELLANCA
Bellanca must have organized a new company, and bought his one existing plane from the Wright Corporation. His message came just in time; in two more days, I would have left for California. In another week, I might have signed a contract with Ryan Airlines.
Then the Wright-Bellanca is at last available; and now I have the financial backing to buy it. I'll be ahead of everyone else. I'll have the best plane for the flight, and plenty of time to test it before weather clears in the spring. I'll get big fuselage tanks put in, fly nonstop to St. Louis, fill them up, and break the world's endurance record—I'll try for forty-eight hours, at least, without landing. After that, we'll have the Whirlwind torn down and inspected to see if any parts show excessive strain or wear; and at the same time we'll give the plane a final going over. Then I'll be ready to take off for Paris whenever conditions are best. Meanwhile I'll assemble equipment for the flight. I'll study methods of long-range navigation. How does a pilot locate his position over the ocean—by day—by night? How accurate is a sextant sight? How can one measure drift above water? – – –But it's difficult to concentrate on such items. The future is too broad and full. Life is overflowing.
I wire Bellanca that our St. Louis organization is complete, and that I'm coming to New York, as he suggests.
home
17
"Captain Lindbergh, I want you to meet Mr. Levine, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Columbia Aircraft Corporation – – – And this is Mr. Chamberlin, our pilot."
Bellanca, smiling and pleasant, introduces me. We shake hands. I'm in the Corporation's offices in the Woolworth Building, New York City.
"So you want to buy our Bellanca?"
Mr. Levine's eyes size me up as he speaks.
"Yes sir. That depends, of course, on the price. We want to buy a plane for the New York-to-Paris flight," I tell him.
"We will sell the Bellanca," he says. "It is the best you can get
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