Smithsonian Channel’s Aerial America
Once again Smithsonian Channel is aiming to do what has never been done before - we’re filming the entire United States - from sea to shining sea- from the air and entirely in HD.
Over the next 12 months our film crew will be flying over every single state in the USA telling America’s story from a bird’s-eye view. We’re shooting the natural volcanoes, mountains and shorelines, as well as the historic locations across the country and telling the fascinating stories behind them all.
If there’s a part of this country you’ve always wanted to visit, here’s your chance to see it from a perspective you never dreamed possible. The production crew from Skyworks is using the same camera and filming technique as was used to shoot Discovery’s popular Planet Earth series and Smithsonian Channel Executive Vice President, David Royle says, “The results from shooting in Hawaii and California are stunning!”
The Smithsonian Channel Chopper is Filming America
Join us here at the Smithsonian Blog, as we follow the Smithsonian Chopper on its incredible journey. We will be writing a post on each state in the order that they are being filmed with a couple of highlights and a photo or two - each program will be nearly an hour long so many more locations and stories will be included in the shows which will begin airing later this year. We’ll also have conversations with the pilot and the producer in charge of this gargantuan undertaking who will share their experiences and challenges throughout the process.
So in the coming months, please keep your eyes on the sky and if you do spot the chopper in your town, be sure to let us know. Also, we’d love to hear from you if you have any suggestions for locations in your state that you think should not be missed.
Tags: Aerial America











November 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
What a great idea for a program. I’m really looking forward to it. When you are in Arkansas don’t miss the Talimena Scenic Drive.
An Arkie’s Musings
November 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Hi, When will there be an aerial America on California? thanks
November 18th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Dave, we’ve already done some shooting in California but it is a big state so the plan right now is to be back in Feb. for a few days to shoot some more. So keep your eyes open for the Smithsonian Channel chopper! - Susanne
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Awesome project…can’t wait. Just saw the chopter flying over downtown Charlotte today!
December 8th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
http://www.sunscreenstips.com
February 1st, 2009 at 3:55 am
I’m sure you will fly over the obvious Houston, Texas, sites such as the Astrodome, the Houston Ship Channel, Texans’ football stadium, Minutemaid Park and NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. You should fly over the Hurricane Ike battered coast along Gulf of Mexico. Recovery efforts are slow on Galveston, Island and the Bolivar Peninsula right next to Galveston.
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:04 am
After a 30 year career overseas in the foreign service, I just retired, moved back to Washington DC, and got an HDTV with cable service. Honestly, I have hardly seen TV for decades. The new technology and especially the Smithsonian Channel have been welcome surprises. “Sky View” especially is just astonishingly beautiful and interesting. I can’t wait for “Arial America” to begin.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
I’m wondering when this series is due to be aired?
It sounds very exciting.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Queechee Gorge on the Vermont/New Hampshire border will be stunning!
December 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I expect that it is too late by now to influence locations that will be visited, but being originally from Kentucky, I could not pass up the chance to encourage that the Red River Gorge area in the Daniel Boone Nat. Forest be included. This area is just a little ways east of the Bluegrass area, and is geologically related, except that where the uplift in the Bluegrass is now eroded down to the limestone, the upper, deep sandstone layer remains in the area further to the east and slightly to the south. The sandstone cliffs rise hundreds of feet, and there are numerous rock shelters and natural arches scattered throughout the area. For fly-over photography, Sky Bridge and Chimney Top would be spectacular and should be included.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Thanks Smithsonian Channel for launching Aerial America in HD. I know that
all 50 States will have so much to offer in natural and manmade wonders. I’m
retired now and living in the beautiful state of Arizona just a few miles from Sedona. Looking forward to seeing Aerial America: Arizona. I will also be
keeping a lookout for each of the other 49 episodes too. Best of Luck.
Dennis Bluhm