"Airline Pilot" film
 

In the late 1960s BOAC/BEA made a film called "Airline Pilot" which traced a pilots training at the College of Air Training at Hamble to conversion to the VC10 at PIK.

Does anyone know if this film is available anywhere?

Thanks for any help.

It was available in VHS the best part of a decade ago, also contains footage of the introduction of the L-1011 into BA's fleet. It was actually one of a series (about five in total?) released to the commercial video market. I've searched for it in DVD - no joy.

Previous thread
 

Hi Guys

There was a previous thread that stated a DVD was available.

IF you have no luck I will copy my (poor quality) VHS.

390

'Airline Pilot' was produced by BOAC in 1968. it follows the progress of Steve Radcliffe from initial selection to flying on his first trip to India and Singapore. Steve was the youngest pilot ever to join BOAC. The filming actually started during Steve's simulator training on the VC10 and followed him to Shannon where he did his base training. Some 40 landings were carried out in those days as well as upper (and extremely lower) airwork (I remember it well!). There are some lovely air to air shots of the VC10 which has to be one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built.
After base training the film follows Steve on his first trip with Captain Phil Hart-Lovelace who was one of the nicest guys and most competent trainers that you could ever meet (as well as a war hero).
As the filming only started during the sim course, all of the shots at Hamble were staged, including the selection and Steve's 'first solo'. Steve had a great time flying the Chippy and the Baron without the pressures of the course. The cadets in the bar were on the course at the time of the filming. They all retired from BA several years ago.
Steve was a very good friend and I shared a flat with him and two other pilots for a couple of years. Sadly he died in an accident in Spain in 1971 (not aviation related).
The film will be shown at the College of Air Training reunion at Hamble on 11th May.

Airclues

AirClues, could you let me have details of the reunion? Thanks

AIRLINE PILOT FILM produced by College of Air Training Hamble
 

Hello all, I was the guy that posted the original query about the original AP film.

First of all there were TWO films, the first one was made when the used the Chippies for ab initio training and the second one was an update when they used the PA 28s. Both films seemed to follow the same theme, i think. Both films were available in 16 mm and were shewn at flying clubs etc one I think was shown on TV.

As a result of my first post someone suggested I try BENSONS for a copy of the film and they did in fact have it listed and i ordered it only to be told it was then not available.

I think someone mentioned the type of a/c used for jet conversion in the first film--I seem to remember it was a VC10 at Shannon that was used for circuits and the look on the first officer's face when he landed it for the first time is very memorable and the only thing i remember from both films!!
These two films are an important historical record of BA and Hamble and should be widely availlable, so can interested parties put the word out at the re-union and get these films in circulation.

regards to all

rondon9897, thanks for that - I have still not managed to source a copy. I had not realised there were two versions - the only one I have seen is the Chipmunk version.

Bob
The film was included in the British Airways Great British Airline Classics series of videos from the BA Archive Collection, produced by A.R.T. Film & Video, i-Mex House, 6 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx, UB6 5BB, released in 1992 and still to be found in one or two of the less popular aviation museum shops quite recently.

Found a boxed set on Ebay currently going for £374!!!

Wow this one goes back a bit,

There is a boxed set (Great British Airline Classics VHS) on ebay at present - "Buy it now" £60.

Note: I am not sure how well these VHS tapes last. I have Volume 7 and 8 of the above and they no longer play properly.

Like all magnetic tapes they do deteriorate. Some of mine are getting poor and that is true of music too. Sad fact of life I am sorry to say.

Thanks for that great link, magpienja!
On a vaguely similar theme I bought an excellent DVD from Video 125 (from ebay or Amazon) which is a collection of 6 "Look at Life" films called Civil Aviation, highly recommended! The "Spirit of Brooklands" film looks at the VC 10 and "City of the Air" looks at Heathrow. There are some lovely period shots throughout the films and include such sights as the lovely BEA split-level airport coaches.

There was a BBC film made in the 1960s, I believe called 'The Pilots'.
It featured a BOAC crew flying a 707 out to the Far East and BEA pilots on their more 'local' ones. It was made by Richard Cawston before he made 'Royal Family' I believe. Has anybody ever seen it available on DVD?
Google only throws up a previous enquiry several years ago....
mmitch.

Thanks for poasting magpienja. The one item of information that brought me up short was very early on. As the new boy starts his line training, the narrator tells us that the aircraft will soon be on it's way with "112 passengers" WOW!!!! That really tells you how few they were!

I suppose that demonstrates the power of economies of scale. A Boeing 757 crosses the Atlantic with more passengers for less fuel than the 707 or VC10. Hence lower fares.

I like this clip from the halcyon days of airline flying - also interesting how eloquent the crew members are relating their experiences:-

mmitch, take a look here you might unearth a copy (if you do please let me know as I would also like one):-

The Pilots

Fireflybob. Many thanks for that link.
mmitch.

I'm fairly sure that 'The Pilots' was part of the 'Tuesday Documentary' series of programmes. I remember watching it in 1968 or '69.