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Charles Lindbergh
In May 21, 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh completed the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight in history on the "Spirit of St Louis." The 3,610-mile journey between New York and Paris took a mere 33 hours and 30 minutes. This historic event not only propelled Lindbergh to the status of a world hero, but also established to the world that air travel was safe and efficient. Aircraft industry stocks, along with general interest in aviation skyrocketed.
In 1926, Weems encountered Colonel Charles Lindbergh on an airfield in California. Weems walked up to the plane and said "Colonel Lindbergh, I would like to show you my sextant and watch." Lindbergh took the sextant and looked through the eyepiece, and replied "Commander, I am very much interested in this; I would like to get together with you on it."
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The conversation lasted only a few minutes and Weems thought he would not hear from Colonel Lindbergh again. But, within a year, President Calvin Coolidge's office sent Weems new orders to report to Washington immediately to work with Colonel Lindbergh for a series of instruction on navigation. Weems began training "Lindy." And they developed a mutual respect that led to Lindbergh endorsing the Weems System of Navigation.
Frederick J. Noonan
Fred Noonan was hired as a Chief Navigator for Pan Am in 1925 and developed his skills at the Weems School of Navigation. From 1925 until 1936, Noonan surveyed and charted courses for the Pan Am fleet of Flying Clipper Ships. Noonan, using the Weems System, played an important role in permanently changing the world's concept of time and space and opening up international air travel for the public.
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"Wrong-Way" Corrigan
In 1938, early aviator Douglas Corrigan requested permission to emulate Lindbergh's historic trans-Atlantic flight in his own plane, but authorities denied his request claiming the plane was overweight for take-off. After secret preparations, Corrigan took off from New York claiming he was headed back to California. Twenty-three hours and 13 minutes later, Corrigan landed in Dublin. Ireland. Tongue-in-cheek, Corrigan proclaimed "I flew the wrong way. My compass got stuck."
This navigation mistake gained him the
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nickname "Wrong-way Corrigan,' and rewarded him with fame - from a ticker tape parade down Broadway, to a book and a movie deal.
Throughout his life, Corrigan maintained that his Atlantic flight was the result of faulty navigational techniques. But he clearly knew what he was doing. Weems had developed a navigationally responsible flight plan for Corrigan when he began his quest for flying the Atlantic in 1936.
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Click Here to visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum
Please use the select box below to access additional Contributions of Captain Weems:
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