The Martin Mars water bomber is the world’s biggest seaplane. Originally one of five flying cargo planes it was built in 1945 for the US Navy. In 1958, it was converted into a water bomber and has since flown over 8000 firefighting missions. The four-person aerial crew flies the plane to the closest water source and scoops a full 27,200 litre load in just 35 seconds. Today, The Mars is owned by BC based Coulson Flying Tankers and used across North America to fight raging wildfires. Together with the Sikorsky S76 Firewatch helicopter the Mars water bomber is part of the most effective firefighting regime forest services can call upon when ground crews are powerless to extinguish the flames. Using HD and infrared cameras, along with state-of-the-art laser technology the S76 guides the Mars to a guaranteed bulls-eye with every drop.
Languages: English
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Orbis
Mighty Planes joins the Orbis crew for their most challenging mission to date. A series of setbacks culminates in a compressor stall in flight and an around the clock effort ensues to get the plane back in the air and into Ulaanbaator, Mongolia. For the first time in its history the Orbis DC10 faces the very real prospect of failing to reach its destination. Waiting on the ground are patients who will lose the chance of regaining their vision if this angel of mercy is unable to fly.
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Skibirds
We will join the men and women of the 109th AW as they fly their “Skibirds” to Greenland’s remote science camps on the final mission of the summer season. The barren, icy terrains keep crews on their toes, constantly testing their skills. The weather conditions are ever changing and can be nasty with blasting, unpredictable storms and unforgivable elements. The planes and crews will be pushed to their limits to persevere in the harsh environment on Greenland, a place that holds a world record for worst flying conditions on the planet. This mission will be trying from beginning to end and we will be there to see it unfold.
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Omega 707
Hit the air with flying gas station Omega, a commercial aircraft turned tanker, built to refuel U.S. fighter jets while they are in flight. Follow this modified Boeing 707 as it lends support on a three-day U.S. Navy and Marine Corps exercise. Witness the midair rendezvous between aerial refueling tanker and fighter jet. The slightest bit of turbulence or the smallest human error can prove fatal. On this mission, however, its a mechanical issue that puts the entire operation, and Omega’s reputation, in jeopardy
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P-3 Orion
Meet a battle-tested Mighty Plane with a nose for adventure and danger. The P-3 Orion Kermit once hunted Soviet submarines but now hunts deadly weather. It slices through the eye walls of hurricanes with one objective in mind: to collect information that will save lives. Loaded up by NOAA with data sensors, recording devices, and airborne radars, this laboratory in the sky is one smart (and tough) cookie. Go where no plane was ever meant to fly as Kermit flies into todays worst tempests, including “Frankenstorm” herself, Hurricane Sandy.
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Trump 757
How do you tell one of the world’s richest men that his pride and joy is in pieces? Thats just one of the challenges facing pilot John Dunkin, captain of Donald Trumps lavish Boeing 757. Follow him and “The Donald” as they fly from Florida to New York to London, with a pit stop in Georgia for an inspection that doesnt go quite as expected. Tight deadlines and a demanding boss will push Dunkin to the limits. But when you work for the man who made the phrase “You’re fired” famous, you get used to the pressure.
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C-17 Globemaster III
The C-17 Globemaster III is the most versatile cargo plane in the U.S. Air Force fleet. Its a tireless workhorse, designed to carry more than 170,000 pounds of cargo, yet agile enough to land and take off on short, rough runways. Watch as two of these $200 million jets take off on separate missions. One ventures into an intense war training operation over unforgiving terrain, while the other embarks on a grueling three-day journey to deliver missile launchers from a remote Pacific island to California. Both jobs will push these C-17s to the limit.
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Blue Angels
Thrilling millions of Americans every year with their death-defying aerial maneuvers and pinpoint precision, the Blue Angels are one of the best military display teams on Earth. Get ready for an up-close look at the six F/A-18 Hornets that make up the fleet. Meet the top guns who fly them, and the maintenance and support crews working nonstop to make each show a triumph. The stakes are high when you’re flying just inches apart at 700 miles per hour, a mere 15,000 feet above the crowd. Only the Blue Angels team can pull this off.
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Global Food Equity
Global food shortages are having devastating affects in many corners of the globe. This detailed, wide-ranging program breaks down the different areas of food – from the availability and distribution, to why some people have more than others. Viewers will hear from leading health experts at Oxfam and the Red Cross, as they discuss why food inequity occurs and what’s being done to address the problem. An ideal resource for health, economic and geography learners in middle secondary, this program offers essential viewing in understanding a range of current social and political issues.
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Food Planning for Special Occasions
From creation to execution and everything in between, planning and catering for any special occasion involves a number of ingredients. This fast-paced, entertaining program takes viewers behind the scenes at large-scale catering events, as chefs and organisers from Peter Rowland Catering and G’day Chef Catering offer advice on menu planning, kitchen workflows, time management and performing on the day. Food Technology learners in lower and middle secondary will be exposed to a vibrant, hands-on industry, where a passion for food can lead to an exciting career path.