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1960’s UNITED AIRLINES PILOT RECRUITMENT & TRAINING FILM “OFFICE IN THE SKY” DC-8 MAINLINER XD13974 (1960)

1960 · Short film · 24 min

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Synopsis

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…

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Details

Running time
24 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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