The Century of Flight— Man Learns To Fly

Overview

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?

Documentary

Current EpisodeSeason 1 • Episode 1Aired: 1997-01-0150 min

1. Man Learns To Fly

The development of the early heavier-than-air and lighter-than-air flying machines. The programme framework includes a comparison to all forms of modern flight, the early dream of flight, hot-air balloons, kites and gliders, early powered flight, early pioneers, early attempts at speed and distance records including Bleriot’s English Channel crossing, the Zeppelins and the build-up to World War I.