Detail #1 of Ruth Elder Hydrographic Office Chart

The Azores have long been a popular way station for transatlantic flights. The first successful crossing of the Atlantic by air - the NC-4 in 1919 used the Azores. However, they were far south of the shortest "great circle" distances between the northeastern United States and northwest Europe, so most record setting aviators of the 1927 transatlantic attempts avoided them. Fortunately, Ruth Elder and George Haldeman stayed near the shipping lanes that passed near them. They were rescued 360 miles north, northeast of Terceira.