2023 Wake Up Call

The last time we flew the Spirit of St. Louis by JNE was in June 2022, when we flew her home from Lopez Island.
We THOUGHT we would be taking her back to our shop and simply retiring her from flight; until whomever is destined to own her, comes along and makes us an offer we cannot refuse, and then takes her to her new "Forever" home.
So far, that plan has not materialized and she is still sitting in the hangar anxiously awaiting her next adventure ... whatever that might be!
Today, we decided that if she IS going to fly again, we need to do a ground run to make sure the engine is ready to go!
Although the film clip doesn't show it, it took 39 pulls before she jumped to life. There were lots of puffs of smoke and a bit of popping and sputtering as she began to "Wake Up", but once she yawned and stretched her arms, she let us know she is ready to make her way back into the skies once again.

[@chicagorandy]

A beautiful bird that deserves flight.

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank You!

[@brianskeens647]

Most amazing airplane. I would swap the real Spirit for this plane any day of the week. The real plane was thrown together in 63 days… this plane was built by one of the most amazing craftsman I’ve ever seen. THIS is the airplane Lindbergh and Ryan Aircraft WISHED they could have built. It’s on my bucket list of things to go see in person.

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank You, Brian! Kind of you to say!

[@motoflyte]

Is the eventual goal to fly it across the atlantic ? That's what I'd want to do.

[@JNEAircraft]

The eventual goal is to find a new forever home for the bird. We have accomplished what we set out to do. We never intended to fly it across the Atlantic, but it is as capable of doing so as the original was if anyone wants to buy it and re-create that accomplishment for the 100th anniversary of Lindbergh's feat!

[@roberttierney9284]

Is this the plane that was made for the 1957 movie with James Stewart?

[@JNEAircraft]

No. This is a "brand new" replica completed in 2019. The maiden flight was on July 28th of that year. We have just finished making a documentary film about building and flying this airplane, and have submitted it to Sundance for consideration for inclusion in their Film Festival in January 2024.

[@luisgarza2036]

Cyl #1 not working, trying to wake up near minute 14 but it didn't

[@ВикторГлуховцев-п5г]

Он что не летает

[@JNEAircraft]

She DOES fly ... just not THIS day!