Celebrate National Aviation History Month with PBS
From the first balloons to the Wright Brothers to the rocket ship, flight is one of humanity’s crowning achievements. National Aviation History Month recognizes the accomplishments of the men and women who have made flight a reality. To honor National Aviation History Month this November, we have put together a list of films and features that highlight the history and pioneers of flight:
Memphis Belle: Her Final Mission
In 1943, the Memphis Belle was an American icon. It was one of the first American heavy bombers to survive 25 combat missions over the deadly skies of Europe. That earned it a trip back to the States, where it was celebrated by thousands as it crisscrossed America on its War Bond Tour. Then in 2002, the Belle underwent a 13-year restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Our locally-produced documentary features the work of two teams: the crew who flew her into combat and the team that restored her to her former glory.
NOVA: Ben Franklin’s Balloons
The first stage in human flight didn’t begin with the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, but with daring inventors and aeronauts in 18th century Paris. In a period of just 19 months, humanity not only left the ground for the first time but thanks to a handful of brilliant and colorful pioneers, developed all the essential features of today’s hot air and gas balloons. Watch now with Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/nova-ben-franklins-balloons/.
Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World – The Airplane
Take to the sky with the dreamers whose work gave humans the ability to fly. From Leonardo da Vinci’s “flying machines” to the modern commercial plane, without these inventions, we may have never left the ground. Watch this episode now with Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/the-airplane-sxtvk3/.
American Experience: Amelia Earhart
The first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart was one of America’s first celebrities. After only a few years as a pilot she became the best-known female flier in America, not only for her daring and determination but also for her striking looks and outspoken personality. Three weeks before her 40th birthday Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean, and her story became legend. Watch now with Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/american-experience-amelia-earhart/.
City in the Sky
At any one time, there are a million people airborne somewhere in the world. That equates to an entire airborne city – a city in the sky. So what does it take to run a “city” at 30,000 feet? In this series, we set off around the world to uncover the invisible global networks and complex logistics that make it all possible. Watch the series now with Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/show/city-sky/.
NOVA: Flying Supersonic
NOVA takes you inside the historic international race to develop the first supersonic airliner, the Concorde. Hear stories from those inside the choreographed effort to design and build Concorde in two countries at once—and the crew members who flew her. Then, follow Concorde’s legacy to a new generation of innovators reviving the dream of supersonic passenger travel today. Watch now with Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/flying-supersonic-y0oteu/.
