Earhart and navigation: Air & Space article (and new navigation exhibit)

[John Wallace]

"Amelia Earhart and the Profession of Air Navigation"
http://blog.nasm.si.edu/2013/02/12/amelia-earhart-and-the-profession-of-air-navigation/

fyi. historical contexts. new exhibit opening at air & space museum on navigation

[C.W. Herndon]

Good reference John. Thanks!

[Dan Swift]

Yes, great article.  Makes me wonder that God, or some Omen if your a nonbeliever, was telling Amelia when she crashed in Hawaii....don't go...you are not ready!  You usually don't get a second chance to be stupid. 

Question:  Why would Mr. Weems refer to Amelia a "Miss Earhart" 6 years after she was married to George Putnam.  Understand celeberties keeping their names, but she was NOT a "Miss".  Just curios. 

[Chris Johnson]

Question:  Why would Mr. Weems refer to Amelia a "Miss Earhart" 6 years after she was married to George Putnam.  Understand celeberties keeping their names, but she was NOT a "Miss".  Just curios. 

Maybe the same reason that female school teachers in the UK often keep their maiden name and the title miss after marrage to stop confusion.

[Dan Swift]

And we got our language from there.  Then we totally messed it up.  Miss is usually for a woman that is known to be single.  It is short for Mistress.   Oh, this is more complicated isn't it.  I remember Amelia being referred to as Mrs. Putnam outside her 'stage name'.  Off topic so never mind.  It just struck me as maybe a bit disrespectful to Amelia.  Maybe in his mind she had not earned his respect.  Again...off topic...my apologies. 

[Chris Johnson]

Probably more to do with the 'Brand', it was what she was before the marrage.

[Tim Mellon]

Excellent, excellent article John Wallace! These thoughts  need to be expressed and understood.

I would add only that I think it a mistake for AE to have altered strategy by circumnavigating in an easterly direction, and here's why: Lae to Howland is over 2500 miles; Honolulu to Howland was only 1800 miles, and with a tailwind, which would have made Howland a much easier target with or without DF equipment. Then Howland to Lae would have been easier because of the significant and detectable land masses towards the end of that flight, not to mention the possibility of homing in on AM radio stations at Lae with the DF equipment. Furthermore, daylight lasts longer when you are flying Westbound.

As to "Miss" I would only point out that Amelia Earhart in the radio transmissions that were heard and transcribed by "Betty" referred to herself as "Amelia Putnam", and not just as "Amelia Earhart." Please go back and read her wedding day note to George Putnam. Amelia knew her equal status.

[Ted G Campbell]

Tim,
Where did you get the information that flying East to West provides one with a tailwind?
Ted Campbell

[Tim Mellon]

Ted, the prevailing low altitude winds in the equatorial region are from East to West, wheras further away from the Equator they run West to East. The attached chart shows current winds at 10,000 feet around Hawaii.

Since her longest and riskiest legs were in the Equatorial area, I think she should have used this asset to mitigate her risks.

I have myself flown around the world twice and can attest to these facts.

[Bruce Thomas]

Excellent, excellent article John Wallace! These thoughts  need to be expressed and understood.

I would add only that I think it a mistake for AE to have altered strategy by circumnavigating in an easterly direction, and here's why: Lae to Howland is over 2500 miles; Honolulu to Howland was only 1800 miles, and with a tailwind, which would have made Howland a much easier target with or without DF equipment. Then Howland to Lae would have been easier because of the significant and detectable land masses towards the end of that flight, not to mention the possibility of homing in on AM radio stations at Lae with the DF equipment. Furthermore, daylight lasts longer when you are flying Westbound.

Interesting and good point, Tim - thanks for sharing the additional information on winds too.

As to "Miss" I would only point out that Amelia Earhart in the radio transmissions that were heard and transcribed by "Betty" referred to herself as "Amelia Putnam", and not just as "Amelia Earhart." Please go back and read her wedding day note to George Putnam. Amelia knew her equal status.

Would you mind linking those two references?  Betty's information is in TIGHAR elsewhere, of course - but so far I've not laid eyes on the letter to GP here (probably overlooking).  A link would be helpful since you've piqued the curiosity!  Thanks -

Jeff, the handwritten note from AE to GP can be seen in the Purdue files. A typewritten transcription is here.

[Jeffrey Pearce]

Regarding Tim Melon's reply concerning winds, I think it would be very interesting and possible to review modern world meteorological data for winds, speed and direction, between Lae and Howland Island to compute something like an average for these parameters at the various altitudes for the day of the year that AE flew to Howland Island.

[Ric Gillespie]

Well, the lady had not only an awareness of her equal status alright, but rather keen reservations altogether as to nuptuals as well, it seems.

Presented with such a note on your wedding day, would any member of this forum - male or female - have gone through with the marriage?

[Jeffrey Pearce]

Absolutely not! For the record, I have never been married.

[Ric Gillespie]

Re AE's decision to reverse the direction of flight for her second world flight attempt:
Despite her stated reason concerning wind direction and monsoons, the real reason was that she needed to start the second attempt as soon as the plane came out of the repair shop.  Given her track record, there was no way the Bureau of Air Commerce was going to approve a plan to immediately strike out over the Pacific again.  Reversing the direction allowed a cross- country shakedown flight to Miami before leaving the U.S.  The Bureau bought that plan and gave her permission to try again.

Why the big rush to begin the second attempt?  She and Putnam had made a deal with Harcourt Brace for the publication of her travelogue stories as a book to be called World Flight.
As any author knows, you have to have your book out not later than September, in time for the Christmas market. AE had to get the flight finished in time for the book to be ready by September. 

[Dan Swift]

Ric,
A question:  Wouldn't they also have had investors that would be getting a little 'anxious' after the crash and the delay? 
Many 'investors' may have gotten 'cold feet' if the second attempt hadn't started quickly.