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CNN Live Today
Interview with Erik Lindbergh, Pilot
Aired May 20, 2002 - 13:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It was 75 years ago today that Charles Lindbergh took wing on history's first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic. May 20 to 21, 1927, Lucky Lindy piloted the Spirit of St. Louis from Long Island in New York down to Paris, France where the joyous welcome awaited him. He have seen the pictures many times.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space museum marking the anniversary today with ceremonies, and Charles Lindbergh's grandson recently reenacted that perilous flight last month -- or rather earlier this month, about the 1st and 2nd of May. Erik Lindbergh followed his grandfather's flight plan from San Diego to New York. Earlier this month, he flew a modern single engine plane non-stop from Republic Field in New York to an airport outside of Paris.
A documentary on his mission airs tonight on the History Channel, and Erik Lindbergh joins us live now from New York. Good to see you again, Erik. Good afternoon to you.
ERIK LINDBERGH, PILOT: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: You were all over the place about two and half weeks ago, but you pointed out to me during the commercial that right about now, grandfather would be where on his mission?
LINDBERGH: I think right now he would be approaching Nova Scotia, which is part way up the coast line there of the continental U.S. the next body of land would be St. John's, Newfoundland.
HEMMER: Let's get the logistics down. 1:39 in the East right now. What time did he leave the U.S.?
LINDBERGH: He left early in the morning, 7 or 8:00 in the morning, and it took him 33 1/3 hours.
HEMMER: Before he arrived and touched down in Paris.
LINDBERGH: That's right. He took about twice as long as I did, and then people have been asking me, well, he ate two sandwiches right? And I laugh and say, yes, it took me half the time, and I ate twice the amount of food.
HEMMER: That is interesting. Listen, answer this question. Why did you make your flight two and a half weeks ago? Why not do it today, then? LINDBERGH: I really wanted to lead up to the celebrations that are happening now, all around the world, in celebration of the 75th anniversary. You know, I really did this for inspiration, to inspire kids to learn about math and science, to have people really look at the future, the future of medicine that enabled me to actually make this flight. I couldn't walk five years ago. Since then, I have been taking a drug called Enbral (ph) that has enabled me to walk and travel and have a life again. That's extraordinary.
Also about the future of flight, and where are we going in the future. We know the past. This is the state of the art of the present. I believe we are going into space soon, that's why I'm working with the X Prize Foundation as one of my sponsors, because I really want to go to space.
HEMMER: You know, Erik, I know you were inflicted with arthritis at a young age, about 21, I think. You are what, 37 now, 38?
LINDBERGH: 37.
HEMMER: Yes, 37. Same age as me. Good to have you in club 37, by the way. What kind of reaction are you getting, knowing that you are essentially -- not just a national spokesperson for arthritis, but an international person now as well?
LINDBERGH: You know what, I have had the incredible fortune of tapping into a worldwide phenomenon of people who were profoundly affected by my grandparents and their lives. Incredibly positive. Not only school kids with our educational programs, but very old people who saw the flight or who remembered or saw him on his victory tour around the U.S., and that has been one of the most extraordinary aspects of this -- feeling and getting all of that support. It is tremendously positive.
HEMMER: There is going to be a documentary tonight on your flight, actually, on the History Channel. What will we learn in that?
LINDBERGH: I wasn't imagining I could do flips back when I was younger. It'll show a lot about the training. Dunk and ditch training, and sea survival training. All of the things that I went through, really, to get to this point where I could make this flight. It was really a challenge for me, more of a personal challenge than -- my grandfather's flight was a very -- what this did for me was to give me an example of the magnitude of the difficulty that he faced in those days, because it was difficult for me with all this modern technology.
HEMMER: I'm sure it was. What is next for you?
LINDBERGH: Oh.
HEMMER: You mentioned space, is that a possibility?
LINDBERGH: I want to go to space with the X Prize, and I'm pitching a television series on aviation. HEMMER: Well, listen, best of luck to you on that. And we will look for the documentary later tonight, OK? How are you feeling, by the way? You all right?
LINDBERGH: I feel fantastic. 200 percent.
HEMMER: Good deal.
LINDBERGH: And I'm getting younger by the day.
HEMMER: Yes. Don't we all wish that were true? Thanks, Erik. Erik Lindbergh live in New York. Again, we will look for the documentary later tonight on this, the anniversary of his grandfather's, 75 years ago.
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