Astro Media - The Amazing World of Aviation (2009) Part 11 In for the Long Haul

When the Wright brothers took to the sky in 1903, the world paid attention as a new era of adventure and innovation was born, one that would forever change mankind's fingerprints upon the pages of history. Civil aviation is now a multi-billion dollar industry capable of transporting cargo, military, humanitarian aid and commercial passengers from anywhere in the world, at any hour of every day. This exciting 13 part series reveals the incredible history and evolution of modern aviation, from the first conceptual drawings of aerial contraptions to modern marvels such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing Dreamliner. Then, go inside the massive consumer industries that define today's modern airport and marvel at the corporate initiatives looking to space as the next tourist destination. For the first time on DVD, this is the complete history of man's conquest of the skies, past, present & future.

Part 11 In for the Long Haul

As engines developed over time, airplanes were able to engage in longer flights. Traditionally, regulators had insisted that all passenger aircraft be powered by at least three engines. But the development of more sophisticated airplanes eventually made twin-engine, long-distance travel feasible. A new standard was introduced, known as Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, or ETOPS. Although some scares during the 1980s prompted people to question their capabilities, the long haul flight eventually became a time and cost-efficient reality.

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