Fred Noonan

Fred Noonan was an American navigator whose celestial-navigation expertise helped Amelia Earhart plan long-distance flights. He disappeared with Earhart over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

Amelia Earhart: Amelia Earhart was an American aviator who set records and disappeared during a 1937 attempt to fly around the world. She was Noonan’s pilot and companion on the final leg of her world flight.
Celestial Navigation: Celestial navigation determines position by measuring the angles of celestial bodies above the horizon. It was the principal method Noonan used to estimate position beyond visible landmarks.
Howland Island: Howland Island is a small, remote Pacific island that served as a planned refueling stop on Earhart’s 1937 world flight. Noonan and Earhart were trying to locate this tiny target after crossing the Pacific.
Pan Am Clippers: Pan Am Clippers were flying boats used by Pan American Airways to carry passengers and mail on long-distance routes. Noonan navigated Pan American survey and route-development flights before joining Earhart.
George Putnam: George Putnam was an American publisher and promoter who managed Amelia Earhart’s public career and became her husband. He helped organize and publicize the 1937 flight for which Noonan served as navigator.
Sextant: A sextant measures the angular distance between two objects, commonly a celestial body and the horizon. Noonan used sextant observations to obtain the angles needed for celestial fixes.
Itasca: The Itasca was a United States Coast Guard cutter stationed near Howland Island during Earhart’s attempted landing. Its crew exchanged radio messages with the aircraft while Noonan sought Howland.
Transpacific Flight: A transpacific flight is an aircraft journey across the Pacific Ocean between its bordering regions. Noonan’s commercial route work and final expedition both involved the challenges of Pacific aviation.
Paul Mantz: Paul Mantz was an American air racer, stunt pilot, and flight instructor who advised Amelia Earhart. He helped prepare Earhart and her aircraft before Noonan joined the expedition.
Nautical Almanac: A nautical almanac tabulates predicted positions of celestial bodies for navigation by date and time. Its tables let Noonan compare observed celestial angles with calculated positions.

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