Series synopsis
The Aviators is a Canadian documentary television series that premiered on PBS on September 8, 2010. It ended on November 30, 2020. It stars Anthony Nalli.
The Aviators is an award-winning weekly documentary-lifestyle-science TV series featuring interesting people, the latest aircraft, current technology and fly-in destinations. The show's site describes subject matter as follows: "We will take you behind the scenes to show you how airline pilots train, how planes are built, and how ATC works. We will profile aviation businesses and showcase aviation products. We will provide safety tips for private and recreational pilots and career tips for profe ...
Premise
The Aviators is an award-winning weekly documentary-lifestyle-science TV series featuring interesting people, the latest aircraft, current technology and fly-in destinations. The show's site describes subject matter as follows: "We will take you behind the scenes to show you how airline pilots train, how planes are built, and how ATC works. We will profile aviation businesses and showcase aviation products. We will provide safety tips for private and recreational pilots and career tips for professional pilots."
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Anthony Nalli as Himself
Episodes
This series spans 8 seasons with 87 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | September 8, 2010 | November 24, 2010 |
| Season 2 | 13 | September 12, 2011 | December 5, 2011 |
| Season 3 | 13 | September 17, 2012 | December 10, 2012 |
| Season 4 | 13 | September 16, 2013 | December 9, 2013 |
| Season 5 | 13 | September 15, 2014 | December 8, 2014 |
| Season 6 | 10 | November 20, 2015 | November 20, 2015 |
| Season 7 | 6 | November 22, 2017 | November 22, 2017 |
| Season 8 | 6 | October 26, 2020 | November 30, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
One of the biggest airshows on Earth AirVenture: America's largest aviation celebration, The US Air Force's C5M Supergalaxy, The Tiger Moth bi-plane, Miracle on the Hudson hero Jeff Skiles, Flat spin survivor. |
September 8, 2010 |
| 2 |
Newest and coolest affordable helicopters Chartright corporate charters, Cross Canada Century Flight, Julie Clark, Affordable Helicopters. |
September 15, 2010 |
| 3 |
How to land an Airliner Legacy of the Cessna brand, Float plane training, How to land an airliner, Aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff, Russian MiG 15. |
September 22, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Aviation 101 Aviation 101: An explanation of some of the very basics of aviation. Host profiles: A closer look at some of the hosts of The Aviators including Sara, Kurtis, Anthony, and new host, country music singer George Canyon. |
September 12, 2011 |
| 2 |
ATC Gibberish ATC gibberish: Breaking down and simplifying all that complex sounding radio chatter. Water egress: Sara learns how to escape from a submerged aircraft. Condor Squadron: Taking to the air with a team of formation pilots flying WW2 era planes. |
September 19, 2011 |
| 3 |
$100 Hamburger Can a kid land an airliner?: A follow up to some of the popular sim segments from season one, but this time with a 12 year old at the controls! Flight services: Kurtis shows us the many important functions of this often overlooked aspect of Air Traffic Control services. $100 hamburger: A pilot expression for an aviation food-run. Anthony and Raeleen dig in at Greenville, SC. |
September 26, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
WWII Pilot Training T-6 Texan Rob Reider, Air show announcer; Aircraft panel makeover; WWII pilot training: T-6 Texan |
September 17, 2012 |
| 2 |
WWII Pilot Training P-51 Mustang Journey of a bag, Airline baggage handling; WWII pilot training: P-51 Mustang |
September 24, 2012 |
| 3 |
Black Diamond Jet Team Winter flying; Boeing 787 Dreamliner; Black Diamond Jet Team - Civilian jet demonstration team |
October 1, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
FLS Microjet, SR-71, Sean D. Tucker FLS Microjet: This spunky little jet weighs in at a mere 400 pounds! We profile this incredible (and tiny) aircraft and its full-sized pilot. SR-71: Blackbird pilot Terry Pappas tells us what its like to be one of just 478 people who have flown this stealthy Strategic Reconnaissance aircraft. Sean D. Tucker: We get to know the man behind the famous red Oracle plane and watch his death-defying aerobatics up close. |
September 16, 2013 |
| 2 |
Zenith 801, Legacy Flight, ILS Testing Zenith 801: No runway? No problem! We challenge the limits faced in the world of bush flying in this amazing utilitarian aircraft. Legacy Flight: A tribute to our flying heroes, past and present. ILS Testing: The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a precise system used to help planes land almost blind. We do some extreme flying in a CRJ-200 to test the system. |
September 23, 2013 |
| 3 |
Float Planes, Buying an Aircraft, Aircraft Boneyard Float Planes: An introduction to the world of seaplanes. Buying an Aircraft: Ever wondered how to actually buy an airplane? Aircraft Boneyard: With over 4,200 aircraft, sure the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) is a “Boneyard” but it’s also so much more. |
September 30, 2013 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Best Of The Aviators Highlights from previous seasons and bloopers. |
September 15, 2014 |
| 2 |
Deconstructing An Air Show Routine, Flight Attendant School (Part 1) Sean D. Tucker's air show routine and an introduction to the job of a flight attendant. |
September 22, 2014 |
| 3 |
Flight Attendant School (Part 2), Hangar Flying – Fighters Flight safety senerios and a favorite fighter aircraft debate. |
September 29, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A pilot without arms, Aircraft profile – Pitts Special A Pilot Without Arms: We meet Jessica Cox, the world’s first armless licensed pilot who has spent her whole life proving that her disability hasn’t limited her. Aircraft Profile – Pitts Special: A profile of the first aircraft designed specifically for aerobatics – the Pitts Special. |
November 20, 2015 |
| 2 |
L-39 and Upset recovery L-39 and Upset Recovery: Does it sometimes feel like your airplane has a mind of its own? Well fasten your seatbelts as we go flying in the most prolific fighter jet trainer of the Soviet era in an introduction to unusual attitude and upset recovery training. |
November 20, 2015 |
| 3 |
Flying again, Aircraft profile – Aviat Husky Flying Again: We catch up with the Rusty Pilots Initiative as they attempt to re-ignite every pilot’s fire by helping former flyers in their return to the sky. Aircraft Profile – Aviat Husky: Meet the proud owner of the dynamic Aviat Husky utility aircraft. |
November 20, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Air Navigation Systems, Ultralights We visit Canada’s largest airport to look at the technology that drives air navigation systems. Then we look at one of the most affordable ways to own and enjoy an aircraft – ultralights! |
November 22, 2017 |
| 2 |
Paragliding, Applied Aerodynamics Part thrilling, part insanity, paragliding is one way aviation nuts get into the open air using a contraption that fits in the back of your car. Then we look into the science of applied aerodynamics. |
November 22, 2017 |
| 3 |
Air Rally 1 Air Rally 1 – We accompany dozens of aircraft and pilots as they island hop in the Caribbean during this 2 week aviation odyssey. |
November 22, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Milestones/RVing Pilots They say "the process of learning to fly makes you better at - everything." So while the obvious goal seems to be getting a license, there are actually many other little goals you can achieve and benefit from along the way. Legendary Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil makes his return to the show. Then we introduce a new host: a popular RVer who explores the curious overlap of those who long to explore in the air as well as on the road. |
October 26, 2020 |
| 2 |
Cessnas: 172 & 340 To most people, the name "Cessna" has become synonymous with "small airplane." And it's no wonder. The Cessna 172 is the most produced aircraft in history and has almost certainly been flown by nearly every pilot. But there's definitely more to Cessna - as the much larger and more capable 340 proves. |
November 2, 2020 |
| 3 |
Record-breaking Flyer As a person, Matt Guthmiller is a fascinating mix genius, entrepreneur, and adventurer. When getting his pilot's license at a young age wasn't enough, he organized and executed an adventure that would make Lindbergh and Earhart proud as he became the youngest person ever to fly solo around the world. |
November 9, 2020 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 8, 2010 |
| Last aired | November 30, 2020 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |