The Century of Flight — Season 1, Episode 20: Angels of Mercy
Documentary • 50 min • 1 season, 26 episodes
Episode synopsis
The humanitarian uses of the aircraft. Helicopters rescuing people from a skyscraper fire. Aircraft as fire-fighter - dropping water bombs and other forms of fire extinguisher to combat bush and forest fires. Air-sea rescue - how maritime patrol aircraft co-ordinate rescue efforts for ships in distress, use of helicopters in air-sea rescues, including some dramatic examples. Mountain Rescue - the use of helicopters for this. First Aid - aeromedics, including Australian Flying Doctor Service, aeroambulances.
About The Century of Flight
This definitive history of manned flight has been compiled into 26 hour episodes, with access to some of the rarest archive film ever taken. Unprecedented co-operation has been extended by the world's leading aircraft manufacturers and leading archive libraries. Included in the footage are shots of rare prototype accidents and failures which contributed to the inevitable achievement and success of man in the air. Since Charles Lindbergh became the first lone aviator to cross the Atlantic in 1927, air transport has greatly accelerated , revolutionised by the giant Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet - and what might we see in the 21st century?