Northwest Aerospace News October | November Issue No. 11 | Page 28

T
he XPrize Foundation was inspired by Peter H. Di-
amandis and Byron Lichtenberg (astronaut), who, like
Lindbergh, both felt that technological advances have
been historically created by prize money or warfare.
The XPrize Foundation today includes a rich tapestry of
the world’s best in business, leading the next generation
of innovators through prize-based competitions to solve
the grand challenges facing humanity. The original
Ansari XPrize focus was on privately developed space
exploration. “It’s entrepreneurs thinking outside of
the box … and small groups of visionary people who
won’t take ‘no’ for an answer … who are pushing the
boundaries and making things happen,” Lindbergh said
in 2010 on an Aero-News Network video on YouTube
promoting the XPrize Foundation.
Fast forward — Lindbergh is also involved in the Lind-
bergh Foundation, which is based upon environmental
concerns and foundation awards that, “… are presented
to select individuals and corporations who strongly
balance technology and the environment.”
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NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS
Lindbergh in conversation comes off as open, bright, and
friendly — refreshing, considering how a person with his
lineage could come across as imperial. Instead, in talking with
Lindbergh, and researching his many public speaking videos
or listening to The Lindberghs podcast with his wife Lyn, it
is apparent that he is well-connected, educated, has a diverse
engaging life, and a great sense of humor. Most of all, he has
good intentions for the environment and future technologies.
Also, per the XPrize website, “Erik holds commercial, instru-
ment, flight instructor, and glider ratings.”