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This United Airlines recruiting film from the early 1960s depicts the indoctrination and training process for all flight crews with a special focus on the Denver Operating Base. It opens with a shot of one of the original United Airlines DC-8 mainliner jet aircraft, tail #N8015U, (:09) as passengers head to board the craft prior to take off (:22). Ground control is radioed (:39) and the plane begins heading down the runway (:57). The film is presented by United Airlines (1:17). The captain, 1st and 2nd officers sit within the cockpit (1:32) (note the eyebrow windows in the ceiling, a feature of airplanes in that era) as the captain adjusts knobs on the control panel (1:49). The radar screen (2:00). Aerial shots of New York City (2:28), Boston (2:56), Chicago (3:02), and San Francisco with the Golden Gate bridge are viewed (3:06). A river cuts through the country side (3:21) and the Rocky Mountains rise with snowcapped peaks (3:27). The plane had lifted off from Honolulu and is heading towards New York (3:37). In flight, the captain addresses the passengers informing them of the altitude and speed as a stewardess checks on them (4:28). Denver, Colorado (4:41) and the Denver Airport (4:52). This is known to flight crews as the Denver Operating Base and the center of flight operations (4:56). Daily morning sessions are seen in the briefing room (5:07) with forecast maps (5:13). These sessions ensure the main office and the nearly 200 flying branch offices operate cohesively (5:24). Reports from weather stations all over the northern hemisphere (6:00). This is the largest airline weather and communication center in the world (6:14). Weather data is fed into computers which analyze it and print out flight plans (7:00). If wind or weather conditions change in flight, the information is reevaluated (7:04). Long range dispatchers receiving weather information (7:16) and a mainliner is contacted by the dispatcher (7:32). In the plane’s cockpit a blue light flashes on as the call comes in (7:39). The Captain is informed to change his altitude for more favorable tailwinds (7:58). Dispatchers check for other available flight plans (8:13). Twice annually, flight crews attend training seminars at the Denver Operating base (9:29). Within the class, flight personnel of various ages and experiences are educated on new systems (10:04). A United electronic flight simulator follows (10:08). A Mr. Harrison is seen undergoing the interview process which will land him a position with the airline (11:00). Potential hires must have commercial pilot’s licenses as well as a FAA instrument rating, though they are all to begin as 2nd Officers (11:07). After initial training (11:23) he is assigned to his first scheduled flight on a DC-6 cargo liner (11:59). Harrison conducts flight ground checks as each of the 2nd Officers are to do (12:11). 2nd Officer Harrison seats himself between the Captain and the 1st Officer in the cockpit (12:53). All trainings are coordinated so that all crew members can fly with one another. After three or four years, he is able to move to the 1st Officer position (13:21). Harrison, the Captain and an instructor settle into the cockpit of a Douglas DC-6 (13:32). After eight to nine years he will be eligible for a Captain position (14:24). Within a simulator, the flight crew conducts checks (15:04). As the throttle is moved up (15:18), the nose of the simulator tips upwards (15:30). As the simulator drops to 1,200 feet, the instructor hits an icing switch (16:04) and the crew takes appropriate corrective measures (16:06). The simulator also enables regular radio procedures (16:19). The remote camera which follows the pilot’s controls is shown (16:22). As the simulator begins its landing procedures (16:48) an actual jet airliner touches down on a runway at night (18:12). Both flight and ground instructors (19:36) aid in the training. Heads of the airline (20:16) set up classes for pilots as well as dispatchers (20:34). Flight managers and personnel from flight standards are viewed in another classroom (20:55). A man practicing a speech to be presented for a Pilot’s Speaking Bureau employs his family as test subjects (21:56). A pilot undergoes a physical and gets his vision checked (22:19) which is vital to maintain employment.
United was the launch customer for the Douglas DC-8. The first unit that arrived with the airline was registration N8004U, which was the eighth one ever built. United took control of it on June 3rd, 1959 and flew DC-8s into the 1980s.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com