Fred Noonan author of an article in "Journal of Navigation", Vol. 9, No. 3, December 2011, avers that due to insufficient fuel reserves from 1912 GMT, no land other than Howland itself and Baker at 45 miles could be reached. With a maximum ferry range of 2,740 statute miles even the closest islands Winslow Reef and McKean Island at 210 and 350 miles away respectively, were unreachable. Although Fred Noonan has left a much smaller mark in popular culture than Amelia Earhart's, his legacy is remembered sporadically. Noonan is often mentioned in W.P. Kinsella's novels. Noonan was portrayed by actor David Graf
Michael A. Noonan Michael A. Noonan Michael Anthony Noonan is a New Zealand writer, most often associated with his writing for television drama series in his native land. He is usually credited under either his full name or as "Michael A. Noonan", so as to be distinguished from New Zealand-born Australian writer Michael Noonan. Noonan grew up in the southern South Island, in Dunedin and Oamaru. After leaving school he began writing, notably drama such as "The Rattle", whilst supplementing his income through work in radio and stage acting and as a regional television newsreader. He moved to Auckland in 1965, where he