The Spirit of St. Louis by Chief Engineer: Donald A Hall

Inspiring future aviators and innovators through hands-on education and storytelling, honoring the legacy of Donald A. Hall, Charles Lindbergh and the flight of Spirit of St. Louis.

Flying Over Time

In 1999, a hidden chest was found in Sedona. Inside—blueprints, 900+ photos, and letters from the man who built Lindbergh’s famous plane. His name was Donald A. Hall, and his story had been lost—until now. 

Flying Over Time helps kids and dreamers take flight. Through stories, hands-on learning, and real connections, we make history come alive and show kids they belong in aviation. Everyone deserves a chance to dream big. Be part of the journey. Donate Now to make a difference and gain access to exclusive events. 

In 1927, Donald Hall’s 60-day engineering challenge teaches history the right way by inspiring creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Support future STEM leaders. Watch the Videos!

Women attending the Flying Over Time exhibition at ASU with Nova Hall's paintings, Donald Hall's portrait, photography in 2011
Vintage Photograph of the famous aircraft, Spirit of St. Louis, which was flown by aviator Charles Lindbergh on his record breaking non-stop solo flight from New York to Paris, France in 1927.
Vintage Photograph of the famous aircraft, Spirit of St. Louis, which was flown by aviator Charles Lindbergh on his record breaking non-stop solo flight from New York to Paris, France in 1927.

The Engineer's Trunk

Our Story
Chief Engineer
DONALD A. HALL SR.
Inside the cracked and weathered exterior of an old steamer trunk, a family secret was waiting to be discovered. In 1999 Nova Hall, grandson of Donald A. Hall Sr., uncovered a locked World War I era steamer trunk in his family’s garage in Sedona, Arizona.

The collection held more than 900 never-before-seen photographs, personal correspondence, letters from Charles Lindbergh, original newspapers, design tools, models, negatives, and the original Hall blueprints of the Spirit of St. Louis.

Through those treasures archived by Donald Hall Sr., we discover the mysterious man behind Lindbergh’s historic flight to Paris and the unique engineering masterpiece that propelled Hall and Lindbergh into a new age of aviation and commercial flight.”

IT ALL STARTED…
In 1927, when the world discovered a young airmail pilot named Charles Lindbergh and his famous aircraft designer, Donald A. Hall Sr. Lindbergh became the most famous man alive by braving the Atlantic Ocean. He had flown solo, in a uniquely aerodynamic airplane, built in San Diego and engineered for one death-defying flight. No one expected him to survive. The airplane had been designed by Ryan Airlines new Chief Engineer, Donald A. Hall Sr., and the “Spirit of St. Louis” had performed perfectly.

Built in 60 days, it allowed Lindbergh to take off in New York City and land in Paris after 33 1/2 hours. Lindbergh beat two of his close competitors, forever establishing his place in aviation history and winning $25,000.

After the flight, Lindbergh’s celebrity and influence continued. Yet for this young and shy 25 year old, nothing would ever be the same. As the years passed, his fame would continue to change the world, stretching into the 30’s, through World War II, and into the space age, well beyond his death in 1974. In his lifetime, Charles Lindbergh would see himself championed by many, reviled by others, and yet always respected for his first flight of faith in Donald A. Hall’s design. The first man to fly non-stop from New York to Paris. more
THE JOURNEY FORWARD…

The History

The story of the historic transatlantic crossing and the engineering feat that made it possible. Read More

The Book

Spirit and Creator is a unique fine-photography book that features over two hundred original photographs and documents. Read More

The Art

The Spirit of St. Louis Exhibition is unique because of the integrative approach to historic narrative, the blending of art and history. Read More

The Photography

The exhibition includes large prints of the 1927 photos of Donald A. Hall, Sr., Chief Engineer and designer during the sixty-day construction. Read More

The Rose Chest

The discovery of a locked steamer trunk containing the records and keepsakes of the Spirit of St. Louis Chief Engineer. Read More

The Play

In 2011, Flying Over Time premiered the one act, one person play about Donald A. Hall Sr., The Creator behind the Spirit. Read More

Flying Over Time

News from our Blog
The True Story of the Spirit of St. Louis — Donald Hall Revealed

The True Story of the Spirit of St. Louis — Donald Hall Revealed

Donald A. Hall’s role in the Spirit of St. Louis has been overlooked — until now. Newly uncovered blueprints, photographs, and letters reveal how Hall engineered the transatlantic plane under a 60-day deadline. His deliberate design choices, including fuel placement and slight aerodynamic instability to keep the pilot alert, were crucial to Lindbergh’s solo flight. Explore these rare archival insights.

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