Watch First Flights

First Flights is an aviation documentary series produced by Kinonation that zeroes in on famous pilots and their pioneering efforts in aviation history. Within each episode, viewers get a chance to understand the zeitgeist of a given era, understand each pilot's motivations, and experience the challenges, as well as successes, associated with their groundbreaking journeys. Featuring a cast of talented actors and compelling interviews with aviation experts, First Flights is an informative and inspirational tribute to some of the aviation industry's most memorable moments.

The series dives into aviation's past and brings it to life in vivid detail. At the center of each episode is a legendary aviator and a life-defining moment in their career. Whether they are famous for being daring, innovative or simply just a trailblazer, the series focuses on how these pilots courageously achieved new heights that changed the course of history. These aviators are a testament to the human spirit, demonstrating how anything is possible with the right level of inspiration, passion, and innovation.

The tone of the series is informational and insightful, creating a vivid and enthralling picture for the viewer. The interviews with aviation experts provide historical context and understanding to the aerial battles and races that defined those days, making the episodes both interesting and informative for both aviation enthusiasts and casual viewers.

Some notable episodes within the First Flights series cover aviators such as Wiley Post, Bessie Coleman, and Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. For instance, the episode "Wiley Post And The Lockheed Vega" presents the biography of Wiley Post, who was the first pilot to fly around the world solo. The episode focuses on his journey, which was full of danger and excitement, as well as looking at the airplanes he flew and how they incorporated revolutionary technology for their time. We also get an insight into his wider life and the struggles he faced, culminating in his tragic and untimely death.

In "Bessie Coleman And The Curtiss JN-4," we get to learn more about Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to obtain a pilot's license. Largely self-taught, Coleman remains an inspiration to aspirant pilots everywhere. This episode delves into her life and chronicles how she overcame racial and gender barriers to achieve her goals. We also see how she developed her skills and gained mastery over the Curtiss JN-4 - nicknamed the “Jenny” - one of the most famous airplanes of the early 1900s. Finally, we see how Coleman's legacy continues to inspire new generations of pilots.

Lastly, in "Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith & The Fokker F VII," we learn about the life of Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith-- perhaps the most famous aviator in Australian history. Kingsford-Smith's fame stemmed from his daring flight across the Pacific. He set several aviation records and had an admiration for innovation that was often risky in its scale. The episode explores his daring and charismatic personality and his many adventures along the way. We see how he came to fly the Fokker F.VII, which was the airplane behind his most famous journeys.

Each episode of First Flights provides a good balance of historical events and human interest secrets. The series’ major strength lies in its ability to make its subjects come alive and bring the excitement, wonder and thrill of aviation's pioneering days to the forefront. The exceptional cinematography is worthy of mention as it adds depth to the storytelling throughout the series. Kinonation clearly went to great lengths to bring the era to life in high definition and provides viewers with a flavor of that time, to see how both aeroplanes and pilots conquered their respective skies.

In conclusion, First Flights is a fascinating and inspiring series that can be enjoyed by all. It offers an intriguing look at some of the aviation industry's most enthralling moments, painting a picture of the times' atmosphere, and highlighting the pioneers who were at the forefront. Each episode is well-structured and informative, with fantastic cinematography and an outstanding cast of experts and passionate aviation aficionados. For any aviation enthusiast, First Flights is a must-watch series that provides insight, inspiration, and an interesting perspective on history.

First Flights is a series that ran for 3 seasons (39 episodes) between December 31, 1990 and on Kinonation