Answer: In that time most pilots considered single-engine airplanes too fragile to make such a long flight, and all attempts had been made with two-, three- or four-engine aircraft. Lindbergh thought exactly the opposite, and convinced some St. Louis businessmen to fund the preparation of a single-engine plane to fly. Ryan Aeronautical Company of San Diego, California, was chosen and built a Ryan NYP model (a modified Ryan M-2). He won a Congressional Medal of Honor.
He learned about Robert H. Goddard's research on rockets and convinced the Guggenheim family to sponsor their experiments, which would favor the development of missiles, satellites and space travel. Lindbergh has also worked as a consultant for several aviation companies and commercial airlines.