FlightPathTV

FlightPathTV is a documentary/lifestyle aviation television show, created by Malcolm Clement and Fletcher McKenzie and is produced by Leading Edge Media. Filmed at locations around the world in High-definition television (HD), it is produced in New Zealand and provides a positive look inside the world of aviation.

The format of the show is that during each episode, of the thirteen week series, FlightPathTV goes behind the scenes of air-shows and events, and profiles pilots, aviation destinations and some of histories most famous aircraft.

Series Two of the show has just been commissioned by Discovery Channel.

Creation

FlightPathTV was created by Malcolm Clement and Fletcher McKenzie in New Zealand.

Production of FlightPathTV commenced in March 2007 at the Avalon Airshow in Geelong, Australia.

The film crew traveled to Wide Bay International Airshow (Australia), the Australian International Airshow (Australia), Classic Fighters Marlborough (New Zealand), Warbirds Over Wanaka (New Zealand), Reno Air Races (USA), Pearl Harbor (USA), Duxford (England), Shuttleworth Collection (England), and various other locations around the world, interviewing pilots and filming aircraft.

In December 2009 FlightPathTV assisted Air Force veteran Ray Richards to reunite with the World War II Corsair he flew in the British Fleet Air Arm.^[1]

The Long Path to "On Air"

After being turned down by New Zealand's state broadcaster, Television New Zealand (TVNZ), because "New Zealander's aren't interested in aviation", the producers found an agent in Hollywood, who agreed to market the show around the world. Jeffrey Levine of Revera Entertainment Inc. took the show to Cannes, where it was purchased by Discovery UK, Finland's MTV3 Channel, Denmark's DR HD Channel, Discovery Turbo Asia, Malaysia's Astro Channel and Discovery Turbo Max (Australia).

Interestingly, the last air show held in Auckland, New Zealand, in March 2009, had record attendances, approximately 50,000 attendees.^[2]

The synergies between FlightPathTV and the Flight of the Conchords, the New Zealand-based comedy duo composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, extend to more than just the surnames of the creators. The Flight of the Conchords were also turned down by New Zealand's state broadcaster,^[3] leading them into the arms of HBO.

The Flight of the Conchords were also told by TVNZ that their show "didn't have a broad enough appeal".

The pilot episode screened on Sky TV’s Documentary Channel in New Zealand on 2 July 2009, and in Australia. After the screening of the pilot episode, work commenced on the post production of all thirteen episodes ready for sale around the world.

Series One of FlightPathTV went to air in Australia^[4] on 1 January 2011, and is now also on air in Denmark, Finland, Malaysia and throughout Asia and the UK.

Funding

Filming was initially funded privately by Fletcher McKenzie and Malcolm Clement, and funding for the pilot episode was provided by angel investor Lynn Tilton of MD Helicopters. Lynn Tilton was awarded the Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year award in January 2011.^[5]

New Zealand's national airline, Air New Zealand, provided sponsorship in the form of free flights for the film crew to travel around the world.

New Zealand's oldest aviation magazine, Pacific Wings, provided free advertising for the fledgling television show.

Both the Royal New Zealand Airforce^[6] and the Royal Australian Airforce^[7] were enthusiastic participants in allowing FlightPathTV unprecedented access to their aircraft and pilots, both viewing it as a publicity and recruitment vehicle for their respective organisations.^[8]

Post Production

Post Production was done in New Zealand by Afterglow,^[9] directed by Andy McGrath.

The FlightPathTV theme song was written by Bruce Lynch,^[10] one of New Zealand's most prolific composers.

Episode Summary

Episode 1

“Air Races & Air Forces” In episode one, FlightPathTV go behind the scenes of what has been described as the ‘World’s Fastest Motor Sport’ at the Reno Air Races. They travel down-under with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and go mountain flying in the treacherous Southern Alps. They meet the driving force behind MD Helicopters and profile their revolutionary technology, then get on board the largest Airliner in the world. And finally FlightPathTV meet a retired US Air Force Colonel who flew fighters on D-Day and went onto fly Presidents on Air Force One.

Episode 2

“Innovation and Action” In episode two, FlightPathTV go down-under on a white-knuckle ride with the Royal New Zealand Air Force aerobatic team, then climb on board the deadliest bomber in the US Air Force and meet its 28-year-old pilot. They go racing and party with the legendary Warlock Race Team at Reno, then check out the new addition to the Cessna family and later meet a U.S. World War Two bomber pilot who reveals the Allies secret weapon.

Episode 3

“Explosions & Elegance” FlightPathTV join the action on board a Navy warship during a joint-force exercise and ride along on a Navy helicopter during a live firing of a Maverick Missile. FlightPathTV check out an Italian Sports-car for the sky being built by two brothers realizing their father’s dream. FlightPathTV meet a Jelly Bean eating stunt pilot who lands on-top of moving trucks, and meet the last surviving ‘Dam Buster’ Lancaster bomber pilot from World War Two. Later they get a special guided tour around the legendary Planes of Fame in Chino USA.

Episode 4

“Outback & Inverted” In this episode, FlightPathTV start by meeting the ‘Air Bandits’ – a motley trio of extreme aerobatic pilots led by Lithuanian legend Jurgis Kairys. They profile the iconic F-16 fighter and hear first hand about close encounters with heat seeking missiles in combat. Again they head down-under and into the Australian Outback to take an exclusive inside look at the Temora Aviation Museum and meet its multi-millionaire owner who takes a hands-on approach when it comes to collecting and flying his own collection of rare warbird aircraft. With a military exercise at high speed and low level they put a C-130 Hercules crew through their paces in the treacherous Southern Alps during Exercise SkyTrain.

Episode 5

“Flying Aces & Exotic Places” In episode five, they meet Red Bull Air Race pilot and US aerobatic legend Mike Goulian and get an inside look into what it takes to be the world’s best. FlightPathTV travel to Waikiki to go flying with Hawaii’s first family of helicopters with over 120 years history in the islands. They meet a World War II fighter pilot who flew Spitfires with the legendary 485 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and hear first hand about the fierce battles and near misses that nearly took his life. Finally they profile the iconic Tiger Moth biplane from the 1930s and get a private flight from a secluded grass airstrip with a master pilot.

Episode 6

“Past, Present & Future Flight” In episode six they meet the Crocodile Dundee of aerobatics, 13-time Australian aerobatic champion Chris Sperou, famous for his high speed inverted ribbon cut only feet from the ground. FlightPathTV follows an Air Force precision helicopter display team preparing for a major international airshow. Take a special look at the World’s best World War I aviation museum where the Red Baron flies again and then go on board the newest addition to the Australian Air Forces tactical transport fleet and hear the extreme result of what happens when you reverse all four jet engines while in flight! Finally FlightPathTV get an exclusive look at the future of 21st-century air power and how its pilot can literally see through this new fighter aircraft.

Episode 7

“Something Old, Someone New” FlightPathTV profiles a classic two seat Boeing as flown by a former US President during his Air Force training and take an inside guided tour of the legendary F-111 famous for its impressive fuel dump and burn. After the break they head south of Sydney Australia to meet a dedicated group of volunteers who are bringing iconic intercontinental and Cold War era aircraft back to life, and later take part in a national flying camp for teenagers led by an Air Force Chaplain who loves old cars, old planes and old flying helmets.

Episode 8

“Historic Planes & Modern Pilots” FlightPathTV travel back to the skies above Europe during World War One when gentlemen pilots went into battle flying wood and fabric aircraft, then meet an airline pilot who in his spare time flies a terrifying fighter from World War Two nicknamed ‘Whistling Death’. They meet 38-year-old legendary aerobatic pilot, Gulf War jet-fighter veteran and Red Bull Air Racer Matt Hall who will be presenting the aerobatic segment ‘In the Loop’. FlightPathTV travel to Pearl Harbour Hawaii to visit the Pacific Aviation Museum and target of the Japanese attack – complete with bullet holes and bomb craters. FlightPathTV get a special invitation to go flying in close formation with the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes display team.

Episode 9

“Classic & Contemporary” FlightPathTV check out a tandem skydive business owned by an amazing and inspirational pilot who has literally risen from the ashes after surviving an explosive plane crash and six months in a coma. They start the first of five ‘In the Loop’ aerobatic segments hosted by Red Bull Air Race pilot Matt Hall, who puts the viewer in the pilot’s seat for some extreme aerobatics. You meet Boeing’s test pilot who is putting the new Super Hornet through its paces and join the international crew of a P-3 Orion during an anti-submarine warfare patrol. They check out the Classic Flyers Museum where the attraction is not only the great collection of aircraft but also the local personalities which include world record holders and combat pilots.

Episode 10

“Bells & Boeings” In this episode FlightPathTV start by profiling a beautiful and very rare helicopter that was once flown by Elvis Presley and then meet two Italian pilots and their new military cargo plane that can do aerobatics. After the break they head into the Australian outback to check out a chromed classic from the golden age of flight and then catch up with Red Bull Air Racer and ex-fighter pilot Matt Hall as he takes you on another wild ride with ‘In the Loop’. Finally FlightPathTV take a privileged look behind the scenes of the world’s most iconic airliner and into the areas which are normally off-limits beneath the Boeing 747.

Episode 11

“Assorted Aircraft Action” In this episode FlightPathTV start in Hawaii where they meet an aviation legend who is the most experienced seaplane pilot in the world with almost 40,000 hours and almost as many stories. Hang out in the US Air Force’s largest aircraft which has carried satellites, tanks and killer whales and find out that when it comes to airlift, size really does matter. Meet an inspirational airshow pilot who has not let a small thing like being paralyzed stop him from flying. Followed by ‘In the Loop’ with aviation legend Matt Hall for another series of extreme and death defying aerobatics. Join the celebrations as Warbird aircraft fill the skies to commemorate the Battle of Britain.

Episode 12

“Combat Legends” Check out all the action at the National Helicopter Championships and get back in the pilot’s seat for an inside look at the challenges of extreme aerobatics with Matt Hall and ‘In the Loop’. FlightPathTV meet a World War Two combat pilot, who is being reunited for the first time in over 65 years with one of the last surviving fighters as he flew off aircraft carriers in the Pacific. After numerous dog-fights and raids on enemy ground targets hear how close he came to death more than once. Finally find out that there is a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to banner towing – especially if you are a new pilot!

Episode 13

“Heroes & Helicopters” In the final episode for this series, hear first hand what it was like to be on the receiving end of an air raid from a Pearl Harbor survivor. Then head down-under to meet a pilot who loves collecting and flying big boys toys. In part two FlightPathTV take their final ride with Matt Hall as he puts you in the pilots seat and upside down for an inside look at what’s going on during extreme aerobatics with ‘In the Loop’. Then meet a unique aircraft from the Vietnam war that kept an eye of the action from above. And finally you meet another Vietnam veteran that has only just retired from flying.

Aircraft filmed for FlightPathTV

Pilots Interviewed on FlightPathTV

References