On TV & Live Streaming

[Aviador]

The BBC have just advertised a new behind the scenes programme filmed at Heathrow airport. The programme is on BBC 2 on Monday at 8pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latest ... -live.html

Airport Live

 

[masere]

Re: On TV

Did anybody watch Airport Live? I watched Wednesdays and just watched the others on catch-up. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Nice to see our license fees put to good use for once! Hopefully the Beeb will do it again next year. I'd love to go up that tower and stand on the outside, as Kate Humble was, with a camera and camcorder. And I'd also love to have a go in a flight simulator. Sooooo envious of those presenters!!!

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

I've still to watch the last two programmes on catch-up TV but I've fully enjoyed watching it so far. It's been funny watching Kate who self confessed is scared of flying. It's been good that they've fully explained every aspect of the airside operations.

 

[adam]

Re: On TV

kates been very good to say she was a last minute change from Dan Snow hosting it.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: On TV

I thought the series was well worth a watch, whether for aviation aficionados or the general public, although industry professionals might have found it rather basic in its content. But then no doubt do, say, police officers or medical staff when police and medical documentary-type programmes are broadcast.

Perhaps I am over-critical but I thought the last of the four programmes was the least interesting, in that there was less live action and more recorded inserts where the presenters tried their hands at aviation-related tasks - a bit Blue Peterish (is that show still going?), or at least how Blue Peter was when I sometimes watched with my young children who are now in their 40s.

I thought the ATC instructor and the senior BA captain, who both featured thoughout the series, were excellent and both adopted the right tone for a lay audience that included some who might want a bit more of the technical stuff but not too much so as to be overwhelmed.

After the final episode on Thursday evening there was an hour-long programme on the same channel (BBC2) tracing the history of Ryanair and easyJet, and looking at the history of low-cost airlines from the days of the originator, Southwest Airlines in the USA.

Michael O'Leary inevitably featured prominently and, like him or not, I think he's always good value and it cannot be argued that he hasn't worked wonders for his airline company.

I thought the programme itself lacked some focus and highlighted certain events and philosophies along the way rather than trying for a comprehensive history. Then again, it had to entertain as well as inform so a one-off programme as opposed to a series was always going to be a challenge.

Despite these misgivings I can recommend it to those who have yet to see it.

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

I think there will have been a few pilots watching the programme. Like the BA senior captain said, "we don't often see the guys up in the tower", so it's good from their perspective to be able to see what goes on up there.

I watched the third programme late last night. The bit about painting aircraft was really good, as was the bit about aircraft go-arounds.

TheLocalYokel, I see your point about the "Blue Peter-ish" style of the programme but to be honest aviation enthusiasts will know far more about the subject than the average person who will have been watching it.

 

[flexo]

Re: On TV

Damn, I missed it... any others ways to watch it? Can it be found online anywhere?

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

It was on BBC 2 last week so it should still be viewable on BBCiPlayer

 

[Pat]

Re: On TV

I also watched the programme. I had to smile as I saw ATC are still using the old cardboard strips similar to the ones I was using in the 70s and 80s in area radar

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: On TV

For those with access to the channel Nat Geo have a 10 part series about Dubai airport starting tomorrow night, Ultimate Airport Dubai Wednesday at 9pm.

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

Don't have the channel you'll have to let us know what it's like?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: On TV

Will do :s_yes

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: On TV

Don't have the channel you'll have to let us know what it's like?

So I've watched the first four episodes and have to say I did enjoy them, it's a fascinating insight into the day to day running of the airport. The series is very reminiscent of the BBC series 'Airport' filmed at LHR.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: On TV

Thanks Ray. I don't have the channel so will enjoy looking at the videos in due course.

I've used DXB for the past three years and will be using it again soon - all for transfer flights. It's an incredibly impressive airport in terms of modernity although there are still some older areas, or were when I last used it.

As a passenger it's a huge area to negotiate and always crowded, even at 5 in the morning when I'm usually there. I can't describe the experience as pleasant and certainly not restful, although the EK lounge is something of a haven from all the bustle.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: On TV

No problem, they are well worth a watch when time permits.

Agree about transiting DXB, the one thing that struck me the first time I did it was the sheer amount of people stretched out asleep on the floor, dodging them was a bit of a nightmare. I've only ever been there between 5 and 10am but likewise it was extremely busy, we found a nice little corner of the Irish bar with views across the airfield and enjoyed some breakfast. The last time I was there was 2006 however so I'm sure things have changed since then.

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

Thanks Ray, I didn't realise they were available on Youtube. I shall be watching it as soon as I have some time. (Maybe tomorrow)

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

My own post copied from the LBA thread...

Part of this Saturday's ITV's "Saturday Nite Takeaway" show with Ant & Dec will be broadcast live from LBA as the final contestants looking to jet away to Orlando have a reverse bungee forfeit to do prior to boarding. It is believed the show will show the lucky passengers boarding the aircraft and departing Leeds to Orlando live on the show.

View media item 2402
A reverse bungee jump is now in position for the Ant & Dec Saturday Nite Takeaway programme live Orlando give-away in association with Monarch Airlines.

A member of the TV crew said they are planning to show (up to) half-an-hour of air-time on the prime time ITV show this Saturday. Subject to change.

Spotters... look out for the PIA A310 in the background if it's running on-time!

 

[Aviador]

Re: On TV

The Monarch Airlines Ant & Dec Saturday Night Takeaway plane has landed. Apparently ITV have positioned cameras at various locations around Leeds Bradford airport so we can expect to see some good coverage on tonight's prime time TV show.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: On TV

Looking forward to it.

 

[Galaxy]

Re: On TV

ALSO, as an interesting aside (and slightly off-topic - apologies), I was the first ever person to ride the reverse bungee, actually called an Ejection Seat (re-branded as an Ejector Seat) on UK soil in 1998. I was working as Marketing and PR manager at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach and we were the first company to import the ride onto UK soil from the states. After all the initial testing with dummies had been done, I was the first person up on the official press launch day, along with one of the ride engineers. A month later I got Loaded magazine to come and try it out, and got a full page spread - back then this was quite a thing.