In the summer of 1969, flower power was in full swing across Europe, and the hit movie in Ireland that memorable summer was “The Graduate” starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.

The Aer Lingus promo film “Shamrocks Sky High” played in Irish cinemas along with “The Graduate” to promote the airline’s dedicated and highly trained staff, latest aircraft (Boeing 707s, BAC One Elevens and new 737s), first class maintenance and crew training facilities, cutting edge computer reservation systems, and the development of the Irish travel industry in the go-go days of the booming jet age.

This film features plenty of wonderful aircraft footage filmed from Dublin’s packed observation decks, airside, as well as inflight and onboard, and a fair number of lucky Aer Lingus employees appear in the film, which truly counts as an airline history classic to be watched over and over again.

The second Aer Lingus promotional film highlights the Pope’s historic 1979 visit to Ireland, and the important role played by Aer Lingus in carrying the Pope from Rome to Ireland, and then on to Boston. Much of the film is about the Pope’s visits to various Irish locations, and the logistics involved. A special thank you to Aer Lingus for allowing us to present these special films on this DVD.

DVD Programs
Chapter 1) Aer Lingus Vickers Viscount training (B&W) (3 minutes)
Chapter 2) Shamrocks Sky High (colour 1968) (27 minutes)
Chapter 3) Pope visit to Ireland (colour 1979) (20 minutes)
Chapter 4) End Credits

Total running time: 50 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).

Welcome to London’s newest aerodrome, London City Airport. As any visitor will attest, London City Airport is a busy Euro hub that conveniently connects the London financial centre with major business centres across the continent and throughout the UK.

Located at the former Royal Docks facility in East London, London City Airport is just five stops from the Canary Wharf financial district by DLR train, and another twenty minutes to central London.

Hardly a month goes by without new flights being announced from London City Airport, and in this action-packed DVD, aviation videographer Henry Tenby takes us up close for a runway visit to this busy airfield, professionally filmed with digital video cams on quality tripods. The BAe 146 and Fokker 50 action doesn’t let up!

Belgian regional carrier VLM Airlines is the largest operator at London City Airport, with a fleet of 19 Fokker 50s that come and go every few minutes throughout the day. BAe 146s of British Airways Connect, Air France / CityJet, Air One, and Swiss also operate many flights throughout the day, and the frantic activity is complemented by Dash 8s of Euro Manx, SAS and Lufthansa, Scot Airways Dornier 328s, Luxair’s Embraer regional jets, and there’s a lot more. London City Airport probably has more BAe 146 and Fokker 50 movements than any other airport in the world.

On any given day, London City Airport sees over one hundred scheduled flight arrivals and departures, with at least a few dozen corporate flights added to the mix. Aircraft are almost continuosly lined up on aproach with movements taking place basically one after another, with no let up from early morning to early evening. London City Airport’s tranquil water setting and many accessible vantage points make for an aircraft lover’s dream airport. This DVD shows it all!

DVD Programs
Chapter 1) all aircraft types
Chapter 2) all aircraft types
Chapter 3) all aircraft types
Chapter 4) all aircraft types
Chapter 5) all aircraft types
Chapter 6) all aircraft types
Chapter 7) End credits

Total running time of: 95 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).

After a decade of construction, Beirut’s newly rebuilt and expanded International Airport is open for business.

Beirut has witnessed a massive building boom since the mid-90s, and the Paris of the Middle East has very much returned to its former glory, with luxury hotels, up-market shops, a glittering skyline, and a new, bustling International Airport.

The latest Boeing and Airbus jetliners bring tourists and business travelers from Europe, the Middle East, and further points abroad to this renewed Middle East center. Join airline videographer Henry Tenby for an exclusive, airside visit at Beirut International Airport, featuring over 70 minutes of non-stop jet action.

Filmed from the best runway vantage points, featuring all the airlines that serve Beirut, an MEA Airbus 321 performing touch-and-go crew training, a visit the Control Tower and Area Control Center, ample time on all three runways taking-in all the jet action, plus the Bonus Tracks. This airport visit is not to be missed!

DVD Programs
Introduction
Runway 03/21 action
Runway 17/35 action
Beirut Tower
MEA 321 touch-and-goes
Beirut Area Control Center
Terminal & Facilities Devt.
Daily Airline Traffic
Departing Beirut Oct 06/04
Bonus Track – BEY Night OPerations
Bonus Track – JR Executive B720 ground tour
Bonus Track – Landing BEY raw footage
Bonus Track – Departing BEY raw footage
Bonus Track – TMA Hangar
DVD Preview

Total running time: 111 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format which will work on all current European DVD players.

1. Air Transportation (B&W) 1947 (10 minutes)
This late 1940s vocational guidance film outlines the various jobs available to both men and women in the early days of the airline industry. Some very nice Constellation and Douglas propliner footage.

2. The Airport (B&W) 1948 (10 minutes)
This late 1940s program highlights the functions of a typical US airport, including servicing a passenger plane, ticket issuing, baggage and freight handling, weather and tower operation. Highlights include an American Airlines CV240 and United Airlines DC-6.

3. Flying with Arthur Godfrey (color) 1953 (47 minutes)
In this airline history classic, TV Host and pilot Arthur Godfrey takes to the skies aboard an Eastern Airlines Lockheed Constellation to demonstrate airline operations of the day. Lots of color footage of Eastern Constellation as well as Martin 4-0-4!

4. 6.5 Magic Hours (color) 1958 (12 minutes)
Produced by Pan Am during the infancy of the jet age to promote their new Jet Clipper service between New York and London. Explains the benefits modern jet airliner travel. Pan Am inflight 707 footage is the star of the show!

5. Plane Talk (color) 1965 (21 minutes)
This film examines the various forms of communication used in the airline industry of the mid-1960s. Terrific footage of first generation jetliners and airports.

Total running time: 123 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).

Welcome aboard the history of western Canada’s favourite airline, Pacific Western Airlines as seen through the movie camera lens of Denny Ranson. Sadly, Denny passed away in late 2007, but Denny’s work and memories live on forever in this DVD.

During the 1960s and 70s, Denny produced several 16mm period films (with narration and sound) for PWA, all of which have been digitally preserved on this Limited Edition DVD.

Re-live the nifty sixties when PWA 707s flew IT charters to points abroad, while back home out West, the first 737s established PWA as one of North America’s first regional “jet” airlines. PWA’s Hercules freighter ops during the Mackenzie Valley oil boom are also highlighted.

The films include lots of vintage colour PWA aircraft footage not seen in 30-plus years, including “long lost” air-to-air footage of PWA 707-138Bs, Hercs, and PWA white scheme 737s. Vintage colour footage of PWA C-46, Anson, York (air-to-air), Beaver, DC-4 and DC-6 will bring back memories for many who started their airline careers with PWA back in the golden era of the 1960s. A measure of 1960s IT travel destinations, coupled with Western Canadian tourism and industry development of the era, help capture the early days and history of one of Canada’s great airlines.

Sit back, relax, fasten your seat belt, and enjoy your flight looking back at the early days and history of one of Canada’s great airlines.

DVD Programs
1) PWA Aircraft Potpourri (1970-1975) (11 minutes)
2) Spreading Wings (1967) (27 minutes)
3) Big Little Vacations (1968) (24 minutes)
4) Freighters to the Frontiers (1968) (15 minutes)
5) A World of Difference (1972) (25 minutes)
6) High Arctic Challenge (made for Elf Oil 1975) (26 minutes)
Total running time: 128 minutes
4X3 screen format

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).

On November 21, 1992, airline videographer Henry Tenby flew aboard LAP Air Paraguay’s DC-8-63 from Santiago, Chile, over the snow-capped Andes, to Asuncion, Paraguay.

This thirty-six minute program takes the viewer along for the ride, enjoying take-off, in-flight, and landing from the very best seat in the house, just forward of the engines.

In addition to onboard footage, this program also presents exterior footage of noisy engine starts, push back, taxi, and take-off.

LAP’s DC-8-63 came from Air Canada in the mid-1980s, which had earlier been upgraded with a wide-body interior.

This unique DC-8 DVD allows you to sit back, relax, and relive the glory days of stretch DC-8 flying at its best!

DVD Programs
Starting Engines
Taxi and Take-off
Inflight
Landing Asuncion
LAP DC8 DVD Preview
Unedited Take-off Footage
Total running time: 36 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format which will work on all current European DVD players.

Honeywell’s Phoenix-based Boeing 720 N720H has proven to be a reliable engine and avionics test bed for the past twenty years.

In this DVD, you’ll accompany the video crew on Honeywell’s Sabreliner chase plane for a very exciting once-in-a-lifetime ride. We follow the 720 on an actual test-flight over the majestic Grand Canyon between Flagstaff and St. George, Utah.

Our exciting trip starts with the 720’s departure from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, which includes great exterior footage of the 720 filmed from a chase helicopter, as well as flight-deck and footage of the engines at full bore filmed from the cabin windows during take-off.

We then formate with the 720 for nearly fifty minutes of wing-tip to wing-tip flying with the classic Boeing posing over some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. The DVD concludes with the 720 landing back in Phoenix with chase footage of the approach and touch-down, as well as cockpit and wing views from the cabin. The 720 then taxies back to base and crew de-planes. The 720 footage on this DVD is truly amazing!

DVD Programs
Chapter 1) 720 take-off from Phoenix
Chapter 2) Sabreliner chase plane take-off from Deer Valley Airport
Chapter 3) 720 over Sedona, AZ
Chapter 4) 720 over Grand Canyon (port side)
Chapter 5) 720 over Grand Canyon (port side)
Chapter 6) 720 over Grand Canyon (starboard side)
Chapter 7) 720 over Grand Canyon (port side)
Chapter 8) 720 over South Grand Canyon (starboard side)
Chapter 9) 720 heading towards Mount Humphreys’ snow covered peak (starboard side)
Chapter 10) 720 heading towards Flagstaff (starboard side)
Chapter 11) 720 close up air-to-air footage (starboard side)
Chapter 12) 720 landing at Phoenix
Chapter 13) End credits

Total running time of: 60 minutes
16X9 widescreen format

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).

These wonderful films capture the pioneering age of Dutch commercial aviation when Anthony Fokker started producing Trimotor transports for the budding airlines of the day. The first part of this DVD presents archival black and white footage of the aircraft built by Fokker between the wars.

In the mid-1950s, Fokker emerged as an industry leader developing the revolutionary and popular Fokker F27 turboprop regional airliner. The design of the Fokker F27 started in the early 1950s as a replacement for the successful DC-3 airliner. Fokker evaluated a number of different configurations before finally deciding on a high wing twin Rolls-Royce Dart engine layout with a pressurised cabin for 28 passengers. The first prototype, registered PH-NIV, first flew on 24 November 1955, and the roll out and first flight of this aircraft is presented in glorious colour on this DVD. Also featured on this DVD is an amazing colour film produced by Fokker in the late 1950s that demonstrates the amazing capabilities of the F-27.

The Fokker 100 design was announced in 1983 as an updated replacement for Fokker’s popular, but superseded F28 Fellowship design. Two prototypes were built – the first, PH-MKH, flew for the first time on November 30, 1986, and the second, PH-MKC, followed on February 25, 1987. The type certificate was awarded in November 1987. The first deliveries of the TAY620-15 powered versions started to Swissair in February 1988.This DVD features a promotional video produced by Fokker featuring the F100 in service with Swissair.

Fokker management, notably Frans Swarttouw, decided that an aircraft with aerodynamic and electronic updates from both the Fokker F27 and the Fokker F28 (the short-range twin jet for 85 passengers) was sensible. Design of the Fokker 50 started in 1983, with DLT and Ansett Airlines of Australia being launch customers. Certification of the Fokker 50 (initially known as the Fokker F27 Mk050 or Fokker 50) by the Dutch aviation authority RLD was successfully completed in 1987 after four years of design review and flight testing. First delivery was made to DLT of Germany. Production ended in 1996 after the Fokker Aircraft Company went into liquidation. By the end of the program, 213 Fokker 50s had been produced. This DVD contains unique footage filmed by Henry Tenby of Avianca’s Fokker 50 that was delivered through Canada and demonstrated to Time Air and NWT Air by Fokker in November, 1994.

DVD Programs
Chapter 1) Fokker Early Years 1920s – 1940s (B&W Dutch 18 min)
This clip shows early archival films of Fokker’s early transport passenger planes including the Fokker F.VIIa/3m trimotor from 1926, the Fokker F.VIII, the Fokker F.XII from 1932, the Fokker F.XXXVI from 1934, and the Fokker S.11 trainer from 1949.

Chapter 2) Fokker 27 Design and Construction (colour Dutch 5 min)
This clip opens with the F27 Chief Designer (name unknown) meeting with senior Fokker executives presenting scale models of the new F27 airliner. As a side note, model collectors will be interested to know that the models shown in this clip were produced by the famous Dutch aircraft modelmaker Matthijs Verkuyl of Badhoevedorp, whose metal scale models are now very collectible. The very first F27 airframe PH-NIV is shown during assembly and painting.

Chapter 3) Fokker 27 Roll Out and First Flight (colour Dutch 5 min)
In this promo film from 1955, the first F27 PH-NIV is rolled out of the factory. Passengers are boarded from Schiphol’s 1950s terminal building and we see the original interior configuration of the F27. The aircraft then departs Schiphol for some air-to-air filming.

Chapter 4) Fokker 27 Test Flight (colour Dutch 13 min)
Fokker’s F27 Chief Designer takes the third production F27 PH-NVF for a test flight to demonstrate her ability to fly on one engine. Fabulous cockpit and exterior footage filmed with cine camera mounted on the aircraft’s tail. Superb air-to-air footage as well single engine take-offs and single engine approaches.

Chapter 5) Fokker in the 1980s (colour 9 min)

Chapter 6) Fokker 100 promo film circa 1987 (colour English 14 min)

Chapter 7) Avianca Fokker 50 air-to-air Calgary NOV 27/94 (4 min)
While Avianca Fokker 50 PH-MXJ was being delivered from Holland to Bogota, Fokker used the opportunity to demonstrate the brand new aircraft to Time Air in Calgary. On November 27, 1994, Fokker launched the Fokker 50 for a scenic demo flight over a very cold and wintery Calgary with Time Air employees on board. Henry Tenby and Tony Hickey chartered Mountain Air’s Seneca C-GRFE as a chase plane for a 40 minute air-to-air photo shoot. Although it was very turbulent, some of the air-to-air shoot was filmed by Henry Tenby which is presented here for historical record.

Avianca Fokker 50 Yellowknife-Koala demo flight NOV 28/94 (38 min)
After the Calgary demo flight, the Fokker 50 positioned up to Yellowknife that same day. On Monday, November 28, 1994, the aircraft performed a demo flight for NWT Air and flew a group of employees from Yellowknife up to BHP’s diamond exploration base camp and airstrip at Koala, situated some 50 minutes air time north of Yellowknife. Fokker was keen to demonstrate the aircraft in cold weather conditions. BHP personnel were also invited along for the flight, along with an Air Tindi pilot (Robbie) to provide visual assistance at Koala. NWT Air Boeing 737 Captain Bob Bowman was in the left seat for the entire flight.

Chapter 8) Before departure
Chapter 9) Starting engines
Chapter 10) Take-off from Yellowknife
Chapter 11) Inflight to Koala
Chapter 12) Landing Koala
Chapter 13) Take-off at Koala
Chapter 14) Inflight to Yellowknife
Chapter 15) Landing at Yellowknife
Chapter 16) DVD Previews

Total running time: 107 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).

FROM AIR CANADA ARCHIVES:
In the 1940s people travelled abroad by ship, and domestic travel was either by bus or car, or rail. The concept of travelling by air was new, and airlines in Canada (like elsewhere in the world) were very much in their infancy. Trans-Canada Air Lines was created in 1937 by an act of Parliment, as the flag carrier to serve Canada, and the airline operated a fleet of silver Lockeed 10As and Lodestars up until Canadair Northstars were acquired in 1947. These aircraft are featured in the early TCA films on this DVD.

Very little footage exists within the Air Canada film archives from this era, but we were able to find two little gems that provide a snap-shot picture of what air travel was like back in the day when when almost nobody had travelled by air. The films talk about being “air-minded” in the same context as being “open-minded” .. and it is interesting how a new vernacular was created to promote the new method of transport by aeroplane.

The first film “Swift Family Robinson” was produced by TCA in 1943, when the world was at war, and the economy was in a constrained state due to shortages and the war effort. Although filmed in colour, the master prints are long gone and we were able to digitize one of the two period distribution 16mm cine prints that remain within the archive. This film charts a family’s trans-Canada journey from Montreal to Vancouver via Lockheed Lodestar. (colour 31 min)

“A New Map for Canada” was produced by TCA in 1947 and explains how Canada’s new airline was fostering economic growth across the country during the 40s. We used the camera original air-to-air 16mm footage of the TCA Lodestar, DC-3 and Northstar which was re-mastered into this film just for this DVD. It was very lucky that we were able to find the camera original films for the aircraft sequences, but it might be noticeable that the image quality of the other parts of the film is not as clear, reason being that the master print does not exist, and we had to digitize a distribution print. This film takes you across Canada by TCA Lodestar, and by Canadair Northstar, which was brand new when this film was made.

Please be aware that these films are presented for their historical importance, and not for their production values and/or image quality. These films are distribution copy prints that were made 70 years ago, and the image and production quality is not the same as we are used to today. In some of the films we experienced film breaks, film warpage (which result in the film being unable to hold focus), broken film sprockets, and blown out sound levels. So these films are by no means perfect. But we believe their historic value over-rides their technical imperfections, and we present them as a look back on a past era.

DVD Programs

Chapter 1) Introduction and Pre-Show

Chapter 2) Swift Family Robinson (31 min colour)

Chapter 3) A new Map for Canada
(21 min colour)

Chapter 4) TCA Vickers Viscount DVD Preview

Chapter 5) TCA Vickers Viscount DVD Preview

Total running time: 52 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format which will work on all current European DVD players.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the National Film Board of Canada documented Canada’s then new national airline to educate the Canadian public about the new mode of travel.

Thousands of feet of Hollywood quality cine film on Trans-Canada Air Lines was dormant in NFB archives for decades, until we discovered this never-before-seen eyeball-popping footage, which is presented in this narrated historic program.

The quality of the footage is the best archival classic airline footage we have ever seen. It was all shot on 16mm employing professional filming techniques and the subject matter has to be seen to be appreciated. It truly is amazingly high quality footage.

You’ll see WWII era Lodestars & Electras filmed across Canada, unbelievable Lancastrian footage filmed air-to-air,lots of Canadair DC-4M2 North Star, Douglas DC-3, Lockheed Connie, Avro Jetliner and Vickers Viscount footage of TCA airliners from the era that is unbelievable in quality and rarity.

The live filming of a TCA Viscount air-to-air with onboard engine shutdown demo complete with original sound is an unbelievable find. You can actually hear the Rolls Royce Dart engines spooling down and then winding up, recorded on board the actual aircraft during this demonstration.  Along with all the other footage, this program is nothing short of a major historic treasure to be enjoyed over and over for years to come.

DVD Programs
Chapter 1) Intro
Chapter 2) TCA Lockheeds at Vancouver
Chapter 3) TCA Lockheeds in the Prairies
Chapter 4) TCA Lockheeds at YYZ & YUL
Chapter 5) TCA Avro Lancastrian
Chapter 6) Canadair North Star
Chapter 7) Avro Jetliner
Chapter 8) Canadair North Star first flight
Chapter 9) TCA DC-4M2 North Star roll-out
Chapter 10) TCA DC-4M2 North Star in service
Chapter 11) TCA DC-3 in service
Chapter 12) TCA Viscount action
Chapter 13) Viscount engine out demo
Chapter 14) End Credits
Chapter 15) DVD Previews

Total running time: 51 minutes

This DVD is available in NTSC region-free format (which will work on all current European DVD players).