Maxmosbey
Final Approach
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2007
- Messages
- 5,247
- Location
- San Juan, PR/Ames, IA
- Display Name
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I need to get serious.
"Where am I?"
- Charles A. Lindbergh, upon arrival in Paris
OK, I know that I shouldn't be like this, but "Where am I" was not the first thing that Lindbergh said when he arrived in Paris. He asked for a mechanic. He figured out where he was pretty quickly when he finally hit the coast of Ireland, and by the time he got to Paris he knew exactly where he was. He did have a little trouble finding the airport as it was dark and the runway was not lighted, but he figured it out and landed.
Read the book!!!! On page 485 of "The Spirit of St. Louis" he has just crossed the channel. He says, "From now on everything will be as simple as flying in to Chicago on a clear night. That Line of beacons is converging with my course. **** less than a hundred miles ahead - lies Paris." In those days, the mail routes were marked with beacons, and he can see the lines of beacons pointing to Paris. This system had been used in Europe for several years prior to its use in the US, and was well established there. As a mail pilot, Lindbergh was very familiar with this manner of navigation. He is already over France when he says this, and he has been on a running commentary as he flew over Glasgow and over the English Channel.. Now, on page 495 he lands in Paris, and the mob swarms his airplane, tearing off parts for souvenirs. He is concerned for his plane, and he wants to get it into a hanger before it is torn apart, so he asks first thing, "Are there any mechanics here?"
This "Where am I" thing aggravates me. I don't know why it does so much, but it does. I am such a Lindbergh fan I guess, and I've read the book three or four times, and I just want to set the record right. Sorry I'm so anal about it.
Max
- Charles A. Lindbergh, upon arrival in Paris
OK, I know that I shouldn't be like this, but "Where am I" was not the first thing that Lindbergh said when he arrived in Paris. He asked for a mechanic. He figured out where he was pretty quickly when he finally hit the coast of Ireland, and by the time he got to Paris he knew exactly where he was. He did have a little trouble finding the airport as it was dark and the runway was not lighted, but he figured it out and landed.
Read the book!!!! On page 485 of "The Spirit of St. Louis" he has just crossed the channel. He says, "From now on everything will be as simple as flying in to Chicago on a clear night. That Line of beacons is converging with my course. **** less than a hundred miles ahead - lies Paris." In those days, the mail routes were marked with beacons, and he can see the lines of beacons pointing to Paris. This system had been used in Europe for several years prior to its use in the US, and was well established there. As a mail pilot, Lindbergh was very familiar with this manner of navigation. He is already over France when he says this, and he has been on a running commentary as he flew over Glasgow and over the English Channel.. Now, on page 495 he lands in Paris, and the mob swarms his airplane, tearing off parts for souvenirs. He is concerned for his plane, and he wants to get it into a hanger before it is torn apart, so he asks first thing, "Are there any mechanics here?"
This "Where am I" thing aggravates me. I don't know why it does so much, but it does. I am such a Lindbergh fan I guess, and I've read the book three or four times, and I just want to set the record right. Sorry I'm so anal about it.
Max
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