PilotsEYE.tv: Los Angeles

This Christmas, I got my second DVD from the PilotsEYE.tv series: FRA-LAX-FRA with Cpt. Norbert Wölfe, Lufthansa's B747 chief of fleet. The flight was also Cpt. Wölfle's last rotation before retirement. The DVD is a courtesy of Thomas Aigner, who is the company's CEO.

One cockpit—Two pilots—Six cameras

Since almost seven years, PilotsEYE.tv creates high-quality documentaries directly out of the cockpit of airliners—in HD quality using six cameras mounted behind the cockpit windows and on the glareshield. To date, PilotsEYE.tv is well-known for accuracy and high quality productions.

The latest DVD is no different, and starts on a snowy winter day in FRA. After flight preparation and de-icing, the B747 takes off with about an hour delay. Thanks to tail winds of over 100mph, the flight approaches LAX 30 minutes early, after crossing the Atlantic Ocean, icy Canada, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Las Vegas. The documentary is the usual well-balanced mix of landscape footage, explanations from the pilots, and visualizations using Google Earth and electronic maps (Jeppesen and Lido/RM).

An added bonus is some great footage from the layover in Los Angeles, including a visit to The Getty Museum and to Santa Monica. At the end of the DVDs, Cpt. Wölfle's collegues and friends wish him well for his retirement after 38 years of flying, and offer some great insights into the life of an airline pilot.

Resume

I really enjoyed this DVD, and the 24€ are well spent money for any aviation enthusiast or their friends who'd like to offer a great gift.

P.S. to Thomas: yes, I've waited until Christmas to open the package ;)