Friendship Flights

Friendship Flight is a global aviation initiative led by activist pilot William E. “Bill” Signs, dedicated to spreading friendship, goodwill, commerce, and understanding through flight. From 1987 to 1998, Signs undertook international journeys and commemorative expeditions, often partnering with pilots from other countries. The flights reached destinations across South America, Antarctica, Russia, Mongolia, Europe, and beyond, using aircraft including a Cessna 210, Mooney, Cessna 150, and Bonanza.

Notable achievements include a 1996 around-the-world expedition in which Signs and Ruth Jacobs became the first to land a single aircraft on all seven continents, and a 1995 flight from South America to Antarctica and back without refueling. Other projects retraced Charles Lindbergh’s route to Paris and marked the anniversary of the WWII Lend-Lease Program through a joint Russian-American journey. Friendship Flight shares its history through flight records, pilot and aircraft profiles, press releases, photographs, and stories on its blog and Facebook pages. Its website also provides background information and contact details for visitors interested in the expeditions.