I think this short film is a classic. I first saw To Fly! at the Air & Space in D.C, in 1976 when I was a kid. The museum had just opened at its new location.

This film left a lasting impression on me. It was overwhelming : scenes like the belly of a B747 looking at the mains, as it's rotating on take off and 16 wheels are retracting into it. The barnstormer doing a roll while following a river. A hot air baloon just missing a church steeple. The movie still plays there - 32 years later. That's impressive.

From Wikipedia: The film has been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry

Any other Imax films that are your favorite? "The dream is alive" is a good post-Challenger shuttle film that puts a lump in your throat, although it's been 20 years since I've seen it.

 

Saw "Speed" when I was 11, and from that day on, I wanted to be a pilot and wanted to fly the Blackbird. Alas, I was too young (it was decommissioned before I got my wings) but it did light the pilot light, pun intended.

 

Operation Red Flag is one of my favorite movies. Watching it made me want to be a fighter pilot and even when I watch it now, it makes me wish I became one.

 

I've made friends with the "Red Flag" The Stephen Low Company director and producer and wish I could've worked the film. I worked with the grips who built all the camera mounts...great group of guys, we did a steam train IMAX film in the Canadian Rockies.

They're almost done filming a new airplane film, "Legends of the Sky" shot in IMAX 3D. It chronicles aviation from its beginnings to the 787. You can see snippets here: The Stephen Low Company

The director, Stephen Low, is a real plane and train fan.