In the transatlantic air race of 1927, Charles Lindbergh, a young pilot from Minnesota, was an unknown. But as a pilot—a barnstormer, military pilot and airmail pilot—he was very experienced. After taking delivery of a new Ryan monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, in San Diego, he dramatically flew across country to Roosevelt Field. Dubbed the "Lone Eagle", everybody liked the flier’s boyish looks and quiet confidence. But many people also thought of him as a "Flying Fool" because of all the competitors, only Lindbergh would be attempting to fly the ocean alone, and in a plane with only one engine.

Right: Lindbergh at Curtiss field adjusting his Wright J-5 engine.