The Aviators

- Season 6

(2015)

She may have been born without arms, but this extraordinary pilot has managed to earn her wings by flying with her feet - Meet Jessica Cox, the world's first licensed armless pilot who has spent her whole life proving that her disability hasn't limited her. Then stay tuned as we meet Dez Lightbody, a flight instructor and proud owner of the very first airplane in history designed specifically for aerobatic maneuvers - the Pitts Special.

Does it sometimes feel like your airplane has a mind of its own? Well get ready to be prepared for the unpredictable as we visit Stallion 51 for an introduction to their Unusual Attitude & Upset Recovery Program. Using an L-39 Turbojet we demonstrate the educational procedures designed to help give you a head start when your aircraft takes a turn for the worst.

We catch up with the Rusty Pilots Initiative as they reignite every pilot's fire in their attempts to help former flyers with their return back into the sky. Then we meet a pilot whose passion has never lessened thanks to the versatility of his dynamic Aviat Husky utility aircraft designed to sharpen the skills you may have lost by offering numerous capabilities, achieved mostly by your sense of adventure.

Although Space is often associated with the future, reaching new heights, and the unknown, NASA can also be traced back to very rich historical roots established more than 50 years ago. As the ultimate form of ground breaking flight, throughout history NASA has conducted countless 'out-of-this-world' research and exceeded the limits of our planet to make the unknown universe more familiar and easily accessible.

We listen in on some aerial dialogue between air traffic control and our resident pilot, Kurtis, as he navigates through both the departure and arrival procedures within an airport and its airspace as well as consult with the voice in the tower to explore the aspects of flight from the point of view of Ground Control and learn more about the complexities of life as a Ground Controller.

With our noteworthy feature on WWII in Season 5, this time around, we thought we'd give a nod to Aviation during The Great War! The importance of this period in flight is mainly due to it being the first time aircraft were used on a large scale...And let's not forget about the Ace fighter pilots who became popular heroes as pioneer Aviators who invented air-to-air combat.

Introduction to the Very Light Jet category of aircraft - The Eclipse 550, the new production twin-engine jet from Eclipse Aerospace. With the ability to fly at altitudes up to 41,000 feet and a max cruise of 430 mph, all while consuming a mere 59 gallons of fuel per hour, the Eclipse 550 is the most efficient twin-engine jet on the planet. Then we visit Embry Riddle for a lesson in why turning back for the runway is commonly fatal in the event of engine failure while Anthony considers his options in a forced landing simulation with an unexpected turn on take-off.

We focus on the flying unit known as Tuskegee Airmen, who served as the first African American flying unit to see action in World War II and meet the Tuskegee Airmen Glider Demo Team who fly TG-7A motorgliders which are basically a combination of wings from the SGS 1-36, the tail of the SGS 2-32, and a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine on the nose.

What is skytyping? See it accomplished with five aircraft flying in impressive formation, emitting biodegradable vapor puffs in a dot matrix pattern to create what is known as the original billboard...in the sky. Afterward we feature the Sonex Jet which started as a pet project of founder John Monett who's always wanted a personal jet, and what he developed was a tiny plane with a big impact!

We explore the vision that gave rise to the 'everyman's airplane' and examine the revolution in Piper designs from its traditional structure to modern construction. So watch the Cub ROAR and the Piper soar as we celebrate what is perhaps one of the most recognized airplanes in general aviation. Taking a comprehensive look at the origins, revisions, and ultimate success of this truly sensational and accomplished aircraft - The appropriately titled Super Cub!