Universal Weather and Aviation was the recent sponsor of Erik Lindbergh’s re-creation of the first non-stop transatlantic flight completed by his grandfather Charles Lindbergh in 1927. Universal provided complete flight support services from San Diego to Paris.

A Universal team was present at X Prize mission control in St Louis supporting each leg of the new Spirit of St Louis flight. The team prepared weather briefings, flight plans, landing and overflight permits, and exemptions for oceanic airspace.

“We knew that Universal could provide the most accurate flight plans for the mission. Their experience and dedication to aviation provided no doubt that they could join this team and support our mission and goals,” said Gregg Maryniak, executive director of the X Prize Foundation and flight director of the new Spirit of St Louis Flight.

Using a modern single-engine aircraft with a GPS, satellite phone and email capabilities, the first leg of the flight from San Diego to St Louis finished two hours ahead of schedule.

The second leg of the trip was from St Louis to Farmingdale, New York. In spite of a few weather issues, Lindbergh’s movement followed the flightplan flawlessly.

His goal was to complete the third leg within 19 hours – he made the journey to Le Bourget, France in 17 hours and seven minutes.

Along with honouring Charles Lindbergh’s flight achievements, the flight also promoted the Arthritis Foundation.