The Century of Flight — Season 1, Episode 22: To the Furthest Corners of the World
Documentary • 50 min • 1 season, 26 episodes
Episode synopsis
Aerial exploration and its offshoots. Aerial views of the Amazon jungle, Himalayas, deserts of Arabia, Antarctica. Early aerial exploration - especially in the Amazon, the polar regions, Africa, Middle East, first overflight of Everest in 1933. Aerial exploration today - use of aircraft to support expeditions, especially polar treks, and to rescue explorers in trouble. Aerial survey - its use in mapmaking through air photography, and in finding oil. The helicopter and the oil business - how it acts as the lifeline to the ocean oil rigs.
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?