About this season
Explore the last 100 years of aviation history in unprecedented detail. From the Wright brothers first flight to the Apollo moon landings and beyond, the series highlights milestones in an industry defined by innovation.
Episodes (3)
1. The First Space War
Aired 8 September 2017 • 42 min
60 years since the launch of Sputnik, satellites have become the invisible infrastructure that powers our modern world. But it wasn't until the Gulf War that the public came to recognize the transformative power of GPS and communications satellites.
2. The Spirits from St. Louis
Aired 15 September 2017 • 42 min
James McDonnell and his St. Louis based McDonnell Aircraft transform naval aviation following WWII, bringing the first jet-powered fighter to American carrier decks. McDonnell Banshees, Voodoos and Phantoms become iconic defenders of the free world.
3. Going Vertical: Piasecki's Machine
Aired 22 September 2017 • 42 min
Frank Piasecki was a pioneer of rotorcraft and his groundbreaking tandem rotor design brought the helicopter into the modern age. The iconic Chinook helicopter and it's many uses from combat to humanitarian aid is his legacy.