AFP: American Fighter Pilot on DVD?! (1 Viewer)

[Steve O]

Okay, ... I know that we've only seen the first episode of this reality TV series (Friday nights on CBS from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm). However, I'm already psyched up hoping for a release on DVD when the series is completed -- similar to the Survivor series. The first episode ROCKED, and the rookies haven't even flown the jet yet!
:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
In case you haven't heard of it, AFP follows a bunch of rookie recruits through the process of becoming F15 Eagle pilots in the U.S. Air Force. It's directed by the same people who made Black Hawk Down and Top Gun -- and it shows in the production values. I've never been so excited watching a documentary. Being both a pilot and a home theater nut, this is like a dream come true if it comes to DVD!!!
If any insiders know of DVD plans for this series, please let us know.
Here's to hoping, ...

 

[Andy Kim]

I thought it was horrible...way over produced that I had to turn it off after 10 minutes.

 

[Steve O]

What is "over produced?" I'm unfamiliar with that term.

I thought that they did an excellent job and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the series. There was a great balance between the technical and human aspects of the training. It seemed very well produced to me.

 

[Pete B.]

Thought it was a great show & can't wait for the continuation. Any idea when part 2 is on? I'm a little biased though since I've worked with a few of the featured pilots during my assignment at the USAF Fighter Weapons School.

Pete

 

[Steve O]

Pete,
You are my hero. I definitely missed my calling in life. Even if I wasn't a pilot, I would have loved to be anywhere in the USAF (loading boxes of Spam onto C-130s would suffice, as long as I could be part of it all). I'm 34 now, though. Not much chance of that.
If I'm not mistaken, part 2 is on tomorrow night (same time, same channel). I'll be glued to the set.
AFP: American Fighter Pilot
The Emergency
60 min.
Capts. Mike Love and Marcus Gregory take their first flight in the F-15 Eagle fighter, while the grounded Lt. Todd Giggy prepares to take his third and final simulation test. Failure would mean dismissal from the course.

 

[Pete B.]

Flattered to be your hero Steve, but like your dream to load Spam on C-130's I also was an enlisted troop who's ultimate goal was to get those pilots back from their missions safely. I was a Life Support Specialist responsible for all the flight equipment they wear, such as their Anti-G Suit, Helmet, Oxygen Mask, etc. We also provided training on proper ejection techniques, survival skills & escape/evasion training. It was a great gig & I met a lot of good people, both officers & enlisted. As an added bonus for doing a bang-up job, I actually got to fly in the backseat of an F-16 & F-15E. Flew over the Grand Canyon in the 16 & skirted the shoreline of Panama Ciy beach in the 15E during spring break. Loved every minute of it and consider myself lucky to have experienced it twice! Looks like I'll be having some more flashbacks tonight at 8PM

Pete

 

[Jim A. Banville]

Though I'm not a pilot, I am a fighter jet FREAK! I plan on seeing the Thunderbirds perform for about the 4th time at Eglin AFB in Fla. at the end of the month. Anyway, I see the "over produced" aspect Andy was talking about if he means it was shot to look like either a fast paced commercial or a music video. I like "trick" shots as much as the next guy, but you can over do it :frowning:. I only saw this week's episode. It focus's on only TWO pilots? Two pilots are fine for a single show, but a whole series? Not. Although these guy's aren't directly competing with each other, imagine a "Survivior" series with only two "characters" to follow. BORING.

 

[Steve O]

Jim,
If I'm not mistaken, there are three pilots being highlighted in the show. Since I actually don't see it being as much of a reality TV show as a documentary, focusing on a small group of characters plays very well for me.
I do see what you mean by the "music video" look and feel to much of the production. That's actually why I disliked Armageddon. I like to be able to take in every aspect of a scene, and that movie never allowed the viewer to get more than a three second look at anything. Being a pilot, I would have liked it more if this series (AFP) was produced like a Discovery Wings special -- providing long scenes in the cockpit and simulator without switching camera angles so much. I would have loved to see more of what was going on. Maybe a flight from takeoff to landing from inside of the cockpit. In that respect, I now see what Andy was talking about.
Nevertheless, it still has me riveted to the TV!

 

[Jim A. Banville]

Nevertheless, it still has me riveted to the TV!

While I understand they want to get into the guys' private lives, I fast-forwarded through all of those scenes :frowning: I'm ONLY interested in the training program itself and the guys' performance through it. So what do you all think Giggy will do due to his brake failure? I assume he'll power up and take off again so the IP can come in for an absolute minimum speed approach for a landing on the longest runway at the field, but that's just my armchair-pilot guess

 

[Steve O]

Any rookie pilot (even in a Skyhawk) should be able to handle that emergency - it's just a normal go-around. It's something you practice from the first day in an aircraft. You got it correct, ... a short-field landing on the longest runway, which is a commonly practiced procedure. Sometimes people are just reluctant to give up a landing once the wheels touch down, though. Giggy would have to really choke to mess up the go-around.