keywords: civilian aviation, single engine airplane, radar, transponder, flight safety, air traffic control system
Synopsis: Shows single engine Cessna private plane in flight. Pilot talking with air traffic controller. Shows the operation, capabilities, and limitations of radar as the pilot of a private plane, without a transponder, approaches his destination and requests weather conditions and radar assistance. Pilot point of view as plane approaches airport runway. Animation is used to explain the principles of radar. Shows radar antennas and traffic control operators. Several scenes of air traffic controllers at work. Shows Piper Cherokee taxing and in flight.
Several types of air planes in flight and communications between pilots and aircraft. Aerial views of Atlanta Municipal Airport in the 1960's. Illustrates why the use of transponders in today's modern air traffic control system is essential for flight safety.