Ok let’s get this straight….Hollywood and TV land very rarely if ever get aviation right. The TV movie call to glory has some moments of accuracy and it does present probably the most truthful depiction of family life for a military aviator the Great Santini well was written by a Marine Brat. Those are the exceptions the Hollywood depiction of the Enola Gay while telling some of story accurately greatly distorts what happened. The real life eccentricity is far more compelling. The Canell series Blacksheep squadron is a great time capsule of LA of a given time period. The realities VMF-214 well are best told in other books. The reality of Boyington’s Blacksheep is radically different then what made it to the small screen In Texas there were multiple stories 1978-1998 that need to be told but it id doubtful that Hollywood would get right. Here is a thought a big prankster jokester who hated being in the field could also be known for a short temper, brutal honesty and phenomenal loyalty. The man’s real name need not be mentioned but Chinook fly over and a choked up Colnel marked his death. Bottom line very rarely is the real story of military aviation is ever found in pieces on either the silver or small screen. Now the shoe is on the other foot TV does 1960s Glam and Pan Am.

Let’s get this straight I watched the debut and I saw several glaring errors. The cockpit should have had 4 men not three. JT4s instead of JT-3Ds on a brand new 07 circa 1963 NOT! Captain entirely too young and too pretty boy. Where is the cigarette smoke? Finally blue flames out the tail pipes on takeoff roll? Braniffites in their group pointed out others (aisle too wide….hairstyle cockpit crew off)

Now what? As I said earlier I like the show I take it like a Big Mac and fries (not the healthiest food) but fun. This is a romantic vision of the early 1960s and a bygone era in flight. You know when flying was a dress up adventure. The romantic view also diminishes the less then pleasant realities…..cigarette smoke, Dutch roll, engines that left behind trails not contrails that could be tracked for miles. Jets were in demand because they finally allowed the navigator to get star shots on tracks. Oh yes dressing up for a flight also meant enduring a greater degree of physical discomfort.

What is likeable? It is a reminder of a flying was an adventure a pleasure a trip into the world of glamour. It reminds us when air travel well had luxury and did not suck. It reminds us what life was like before terrorist attacks. The women in it are strong in their own ways not just beautiful. The cockpit crews are likable not perfect. This is woman’s story yeah its chick show that guys can quietly watch. I enjoyed the early seasons of Dallas because their was some Texas quality.

Is Pan Am the TV show perfect? Hardly is it like a dozen crispy cream donuts. It is a fun trip back with rose colored glasses to an era almost forgotten. It reminds us that flying was once a fun way to travel. The show reminds us flying did not always suck. In short we can in the small screen have a romantic adventure into a bygone era and have some fun. Pass me the donuts and coffee its time to escape on a 707!  Or to quote Jimmy Buffet WE NEED escapism I got my seat reserved on the 707!