The Air Navigation Community

Weems’ greatest legacy was influencing the air navigation programs of U.S. airlines and the military.

His techniques became the standard for long-range navigation for three decades. Below are key aeronautical figures of the time who were influenced by the "guru" of air navigation, P. V. H. Weems.

Albert Hegenberger

Pioneered Navigation Equipment, Advised by Weems on Navigation Tools

Albert Hegenberger served as navigator on the first successful flight to Hawaii and developed navigational equipment for the Air Corps. He consulted with P. V. H. Weems on matters related to celestial navigation.

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Amy Johnson

Trained by Weems, British Distance Flyer

In 1937, noted British distance flier Amy Johnson sought out Weems as a navigational instructor.


"I consider Weems the best teacher in the world for that method, which is adapted to long flights." — Amy Johnson
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Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Co-Pilot for Husband Lindbergh, Trained in Navigation by Gatty

In 1930, P. V. H. Weems recommended Harold Gatty to Charles Lindbergh as a tutor for his wife Anne Morrow. She undertook the instruction while in her third trimester of pregnancy and then acted as navigator with Charles on a transcontinental flight.

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Charles Blair

Used Weems Pre-Comp Navigation, First Solo Trans-Polar Flight

Charles Blair used pre-computed navigation tables made by P. V. H. Weems on the first solo trans-polar flight. Blair made the flight in a modified P-51 Mustang named Excalibur III, now on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.


"That kind of navigation is still complicated, and if you tell people there's nothing to it, they’ll try to fly over the pole in ignorance of all the ins and outs of celestial navigation, and kill themselves!" — Weems warning Blair, After Blair told reporters that his navigation was "easy".
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Charles Zweng

Ran Pan Am Navigation Service, Trained in Air Navigation by Weems

In the 1940's and early 1950's, Charles Zweng managed the Pan Am Airlines navigation service. P. V. H. Weems taught him air navigation in the late 1930's.

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Curtis LeMay

Advanced Navigation in Bombers, Trained in Air Navigation by Gatty

Curtis LeMay learned navigation under Harold Gatty at Rockwell Field, California in the early 1930's. Before becoming the architect of the fire bombing campaign and a temperamental Air Force Chief of Staff at the height of the Cold War, LeMay pioneered navigational techniques for bombers in the late 1930's. His efforts culminated in the interception of the Italian liner Rex in May 1938.

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Ed Link

Collaborated with Weems, Developed Navigation Equipment

Flight simulator pioneer Ed Link developed several navigational training tools with his close friend P. V. H. Weems, including the A-12 sextant.


"I suggested to Link that his standard trainer might be used for celestial navigation training." - P. V. H. Weems
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Fred Noonan

Trained by Weems, Lead Navigator, Pan Am

As navigator, Fred Noonan helped pioneer transpacific airline service with Pan American Airways. He learned air navigation from P. V. H. Weems and Mary Tornich. He later went on to become Amelia Earhart's navigator on her 1937 around-the-world flight, and disappeared with her as they approached Howland Island.


"Noonan had been flying for Pan American for many years and it was all in his day's work to hit smaller islands than Howland square on the nose." - P. V. H. Weems, After Noonan disappeared en route to Howland Island with Amelia Earhart in 1937.
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Harold Gatty

Developed Gatty Drift Meter, Trained in Air Navigation

One of the first professional air navigators, Harold Gatty instructed such aeronautical elites as Anne Morrow Lindbergh in air navigation and invented new equipment. He developed the Gatty drift indicator for use in aircraft. Gatty served as Wiley Post's navigator on his record breaking around the world flight. He had been trained in air navigation by P. V. H. Weems and managed the Weems System of Navigation while Weems was on sea duty during the Depression. Gatty and Lindbergh convinced Pan American Airways to adopt the Weems System. Gatty became the Army Air Corps' chief navigation engineer.

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Harold Gatty

Navigation for Wiley Post, Managed Weems System of Navigation

One of the first professional air navigators, Harold Gatty instructed such aeronautical elites as Anne Morrow Lindbergh in air navigation and invented new equipment. He developed the Gatty drift indicator for use in aircraft. Gatty served as Wiley Post's navigator on his record breaking around the world flight. He had been trained in air navigation by P. V. H. Weems and managed the Weems System of Navigation while Weems was on sea duty during the Depression. Gatty and Lindbergh convinced Pan American Airways to adopt the Weems System. Gatty became the Army Air Corps' chief navigation engineer.

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Harold Gatty

Navigation Advisor for Air Corps, Managed Weems System of Navigation

One of the first professional air navigators, Harold Gatty instructed such aeronautical elites as Anne Morrow Lindbergh in air navigation and invented new equipment. He developed the Gatty drift indicator for use in aircraft. Gatty served as Wiley Post's navigator on his record breaking around the world flight. He had been trained in air navigation by P. V. H. Weems and managed the Weems System of Navigation while Weems was on sea duty during the Depression. Gatty and Lindbergh convinced Pan American Airways to adopt the Weems System. Gatty became the Army Air Corps' chief navigation engineer.

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Henry "Dick" Merrill

Chief Pilot, Eastern Airlines, Trained in Air Navigation by Weems

Chief Pilot for Eastern Airlines Henry "Dick" Merrill learned air navigation under P. V. H. Weems' tutelage.

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Lincoln Ellsworth

Polar Explorer, Trained in Air Navigation by Weems

P. V. H. Weems' first client for navigational instruction was polar explorer Lincoln Ellsworth. Ellsworth was then a critical early investor in the Weems System of Navigation.

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Lisette Kapri

Romanian Distance Flyer, Trained in Air Navigation by Weems

Romanian baroness Lisette Kapri undertook air navigation instruction with P. V. H. Weems for her distance flying attempts.

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Mary Tornich

Navigation Teacher and Author, Weems System Instructor

Mary Tornich taught the Weems System of Navigation to civil and military students, including Amelia Earhart's navigator, Fred Noonan. She also authored a popular air navigation textbook.

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Peter Redpath

Chief Navigator, TWA, Weems System Instructor

Chief TWA navigator Peter Redpath learned his trade under P. V. H Weems and was briefly an instructor himself for the Weems System of Navigation.

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Philip Dalton

Developed Navigation Computers, Collaborated with Weems on Equipment

E-6B developer Philip Dalton created dead reckoning navigation computers in collaboration with P. V. H. Weems.

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P. V. H. Weems

Celestial Navigation Innovator and Instructor

Philip Van Horn Weems became a "guru" of air navigation and was often consulted by some of the most famous pilots during the 1920's and 1930's.

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Richard Byrd

Advised by Weems, Distance Flyer and Polar Explorer

P. V. H. Weems advised Richard E. Byrd on celestial navigation techniques. Byrd wanted Weems to volunteer as navigator on his 1933 Antarctic expedition, but he turned the offer down as he was occupied keeping his business afloat.


"Send me a list of the navigation equipment you think we should have. I want all those special gadgets and short-cut methods you believe in." — Richard E. Byrd
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Thomas Thurlow

Advised by Weems, Air Corps Navigation Engineer

In the late 1930's, Thomas Thurlow served as the U.S. Army Air Corps navigation engineer. He helped establish the navigation programs that would allow the Army Air Forces to graduate over 50,000 navigators during World War II. P. V. H. Weems advised him on celestial navigation issues.


I preached the gospel of the Air Almanac and star curves and sold them on both." - Thomas Thurlow
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