This film, JET MAINLINER FLIGHT 803 was presented by United Airlines (1:49) and produced by Cate & McGlane (1:54) in Hollywood, California to promote the new DC-8 passenger jets and celebrate the arrival of the new "jet age". The Douglas DC-8 (also known as the McDonnell Douglas DC-8) was a four-engine long-range narrow-body jet airliner built from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company. Launched after the competing Boeing 707, the DC-8 nevertheless kept Douglas in a strong position in the airliner market, and remained in production until 1972 when it began to be superseded by larger wide-body designs, including the Boeing 747, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. The DC-8's design allowed it a slightly larger cargo capacity than the 707 and some re-engined DC-8s are still in use as freighters.
The film begins at the New York International Airport as the jet mainliner 803 is taxied into it’s United terminal for departure to San Francisco (2:06). At 2:47 the Alexander Calder sculpture is seen in the airport lobby. One hundred passengers will take part in this flight. A model jetliner (3:10) shows first class seats will be two by two and coach will be three (3:24). An exclusive feature is the coach lounge which also serves as a roomy rear entrance (3:35). Luggage containers are designed to give extra care to passenger property and quick efficient loading (3:56). In United’s operating base in Denver, plans for every mile of DC-8’s travel has already been mapped out (4:26). This is the largest airline control center in the world (4:30) and from all over the northern hemisphere, weather reports will arrive from ships at sea and aircraft. They have gathered wind and weather conditions for up to 60,000 feet (4:44).
Information collected will be able to predict conditions all along the 14,000 miles of routes of United Airlines flights (4:51). All data is entered into computers and will then yield detailed flight plans (5:13). Pilots prepare for take off (6:48) and full throttle commands 54,000 pounds of thrust (7:06). These jets will reach speeds of almost 600 mph (10:02). The team that enables quick and efficient travel is comprised of those operating the airliners, the builders of the planes and builders of the engines (10:24). A look inside the engine shows the key to vibration free performance (10:35) which includes smooth turning compressors and turbines. Pratt & Whitney engines (11:04) are considered the most proven engines built and have flown over two billion miles. The Douglas DC-8 is designed from the ground up (11:31) and company had to build two assembly plants in order to match the size (11:45). It is the first of it’s kind as it was specifically created for the comfort and needs of the passenger (12:02). Sound suppressors maintaine low departure sounds (12:23) and clam shell devices enclose and reverse thrust for smoother landings (12:29). The DC-3 completed the cross country flight in 17 hours and 20 minutes (12:54), the DC-4 in 15 hours and 45 minutes (13:04), DC-6 in 11 hours and 5 minutes, DC-7 in 8 hours and 4 minutes (13:20) and finally the DC-8 can fly from New York to California in as little as 5 hours (13:29). In simulators, flights have already been conducted on the ground (15:36) and reproduce conditions that will be experienced in the air. Cockpit tv’s provide realistic effects for take-offs and departures (15:36). Engine flight instruments opperate the same as they would in flight (15:49) and control panels allows instructors to conduct every practice situation possible (16:04). The remote control closed circuit TV camera moves in perfect synchronization with controls during final approach (16:25). Because it requires experience and training to operate a jetliner, even men whom have flown for over 10 years will go back to school costing over $10,000 per person (17:38). Training will take as long as necessary for each to meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Authority as well as specific airlines they will fly for (17:48). The base in San Francisco is the largest in the world (18:27). Mechanics from all over are brought in for training and pinpoint every feature of the plane. The emphasis on quality service means expert contintenintal culinary chef's in the kitchens creating plates for breakfast through dinner (20:08). The film is coming to a close as the 803 flies above Lake Tahoe and into California (23:16).
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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com