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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

L is for Linda Finch

Linda Finch
(1951 - )

Ms. Finch is best known being the pilot who completed the route that Amelia Earhart planned and never finished.

Ms. Finch restored a vintage 1935 Lockheed Electra 10E, the same make and model aircraft as Amelia was flying when she disappeared. It is one of only 15 in existence and just like the original that Amelia flew, it was uncomfortable, noisy and only cruised at 90 mph. However, she did use computers and a much better navigation and communication system.

Ms. Finch left on March 19, 1997, 60 years to the day after Ameila's attempt. Ms. Finch took 10 weeks to complete, trying to follow Ameila's route as closely as possible. However, she did not land at Howland Island - the stop that Amelia never made it to. The small runway was in bad shape and not safe to use, so Ms. Finch dropped a wreath over the island in honor of Ameila Earhart.

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#AtoZChallenge

8 comments:

  1. How interesting! I don't recall ever hearing of her before. We've been studying about Amelia Earhart, I think I'll have to introduce Linda Finch at the end of our studies.

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. That was very ambitious of her, since those are some big steps to follow in!

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  2. Thank you for this! I never knew about her either! A great hero to introduce to my students too! :) Thanks again!!! Great post!!

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    1. It is nice to learn about people who aren't "famous".

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  3. Finch sort of looks like Earhart in the face.

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    1. She does! She's got a similar hairstyle and everything!

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  4. Wow. I didn't know anyone had attempted that flight. And to think she dropped a wreath at the island Amelia never made it to! She sounds like an amazing woman! :)

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