Chopper One

Two helicopter cops, Burdy and Gil, fly around the city to bust perts and rescue kids on sailboats. The main story in this episode is a botched robbery, ransom situation where the pilots have to stop the bad dudes from getting away in an airplane. Do they succeed? Listen to find out! Also make sure to check out our visual trivia game at RetroTV.fun.

The Chopper One pilot, which premiered on January 17, 1974, introduced television audiences to a fresh twist on the crime-drama format: policing from the skies. This half-hour ABC episode starred Jim McMullan as Officer Don Burdick and Dirk Benedict as Officer Gil Foley, members of a California police helicopter unit flying high in a Bell 206 JetRanger. Produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, the show was introduced as part of a one-hour action block alongside Firehouse.

A Tense Opening: Kid in Peril on the Open Sea

In the pilot episode—simply titled “Pilot”—the plot centers on a child in distress on a sailboat far from shore. Burdick and Foley take off in the chopper to rescue the stranded youngster, showcasing the helicopter’s unique ability to respond to emergencies beyond traditional law enforcement scenarios.

This narrative choice offered viewers not just crime-fighting thrills, but also highlighted the chopper’s versatility as a tool for public service. The rescue established the show’s tone—urgent, aerially adventurous, and grounded by responsibility.

Action Meets Strategy in a Swanky Hotel Heist

The pilot’s excitement also includes a daring hotel robbery unfolding at a luxurious 14-story downtown building. The chopper team must strategize how to best support police efforts in securing arrests from above.

This combination of rescue and high-stakes criminal drama packed a lot of momentum into the show’s first installment, affirming the chopper as not just a surveillance asset but a key player in fast-moving urban interventions.

Unaired Version: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

There was also an unaired pilot cut with notable differences. This version lacked the opening theme and standard closing credits, featured an alternate score, and included a number of deleted or altered scenes.

This early version offers a unique look at how the show’s creators refined tone and structure to suit network expectations. It’s an intriguing find for TV historians and fans of behind-the-scenes content.

Production Challenges: A Helicopter is Expensive

Producing a TV series that relies heavily on aerial sequences came with real logistical and financial hurdles. Each Chopper One episode cost a substantial sum in 1974, partly due to helicopter rentals, specialized pilot staffing, and location permits.

Additionally, directors and key personnel sometimes received stunt pay when involved in flying sequences themselves, underscoring the physical and creative demands of shooting such action-oriented television.

Setting the Tone with Spelling-Goldberg Style

The pilot established the visual and thematic identity viewers came to expect: sleek cityscapes, swooping chopper angles, and grounded human stakes. As produced by Spelling-Goldberg, the show combined glossy production values with procedural intensity, distinguishing itself from street-level dramas of the era.

Although Chopper One aired as a mid-season replacement and lasted only 13 episodes, the pilot’s blend of child rescue, crime intervention, and helicopter theater captured the imagination of viewers who tuned in for something different.

Legacy and Availability

While Chopper One faded quickly from the airwaves and was rarely rerun, it remains accessible today. The complete series has been released on DVD and is available for streaming on certain platforms, allowing both long-time fans and new viewers to experience the high-flying adventures that began with the pilot episode.

Why the Pilot Still Stands Out

• Unique genre mash-up: The show’s fusion of helicopter rescue and policing made the pilot stand out instantly.

• Visual ambition: For 1974, the aerial shots and chopper stunts delivered an uncommon level of production.

• Character foundation: Introductions to Burdick and Foley through both action and effective teamwork established audience connection in a compact format.

• Production drama: The cost and complexity of shooting aerial sequences make the pilot’s existence noteworthy.

This Chopper One pilot represents a bold experiment in mid-70s television, channeling ambition through its aerial storytelling and action-packed debut. Whether viewed for nostalgia, TV history, or the novelty of its chopper-centered crime drama, the episode holds a distinct place in vintage television archives.