Flying Heavy Metal
Bruce Dickinson explores commercial aviation history and flies large aircraft.
Flying Heavy Metal is a five-part British television series produced by Ricochet, originally broadcast on the Discovery Channel in the UK and Europe from 19 January 2005. Presented by commercial Boeing 757 pilot and Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, it examines and often features him flying various aircraft from commercial aviation history, including some surprising aerobatics in large planes. The series later repeated on Discovery Wings and subsequently on Discovery Turbo.
Quick Facts
- Number of episodes
- 5
- Original network
- Discovery Channel (UK and Europe)
- Premiere date
- 19 January 2005
- Presenter
- Bruce Dickinson
- Production company
- Ricochet
Facts from the source article.
Reception
Gabrielle Starkey of The Times described Dickinson's account of the race for transatlantic passenger flight as surprisingly engrossing. James Rampton of The Independent called him an engaging presenter. The Daily Record noted his infectious enthusiasm for planes made the show watchable even for those less excited by the subject. The Liverpool Echo termed the series an engaging exploration of air travel.
Episodes
The first episode, airing 19 January 2005, covers the de Havilland Comet and Boeing 707, marking the end of the propeller era for airliners like the Douglas DC-3. The 26 January episode focuses on jet travel for the masses via the Hawker Siddeley Trident and Boeing 727. On 2 February, the series contrasts Europe's Concorde with Boeing's 747 jumbo jet. The 9 February episode examines jetliner safety, including the Trident's automatic landing, the Airbus A320's fly-by-wire, and the Boeing 737's lack thereof, plus other safety developments. The final episode on 16 February looks at new records in size, fuel economy, and comfort with the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 (then called the 7E7), and considers space airliner travel.
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