‘Chasing the Sun’ Takes Flight on PBS

“Chasing the Sun,” a high-flying, four-part chronicle of commercial aviation, takes off from the PBS runway tonight at 9 on KCET and KVCR.

Propelled by a nicely assembled mix of interviews, archival material and reenactments, this dandy documentary tells us all about the friendly skies and the people who conquered them.

Appropriately, the first hour opens with the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the bicycle mechanics who stood on the beach at Kitty Hawk, N.C., in 1903 and flipped a coin to determine which of them would be the first to fly.

The most popular early aviator of all, of course, was Charles Lindbergh, who made the first solo nonstop flight from New York to Paris in his single-engine airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis. Most of the material in this segment is familiar for history buffs, but it also recalls the lesser-known work of his wife, Anne Morrow, who became Lucky Lindy’s navigator and radio operator, providing the public with stirring accounts of their latest adventures.

Produced by Carl Byker and Mitch Wilson, “Sun” is most interesting when telling its tales in the words of the men and women whose exploits are the backbone of these shows.

In addition, there are welcome observations by authors Robert Wohl (“A Passion for Wings”) and A. Scott Berg (“Lindbergh”) as well as Tom Crouch of the National Air & Space Museum.

The series continues July 9, 16 and 23 with programs titled “The Visionaries,” “Into the Jet Age” and “All Aboard.”

Surf Report

SPECIALS

Live coverage of James Hahn’s mayoral inauguration airs at 10 a.m. on KABC.

Dylan McDermott (“The Practice”) narrates “Legal Action” (9-11 p.m. TLC), a four-hour program examining the criminal justice system in San Francisco. The documentary concludes next Monday.

“Legacy of a Kidnapping: Lindbergh and the Triumph of the Tabloids” (10 p.m. KCET) recalls the media circus surrounding the 1932 abduction of Charles Lindbergh’s son.

MOVIES

Turner Classic Movies salutes the late actress Ann Sothern with a monthlong festival featuring 30 of her films. The tribute begins at 5 p.m. with 1939’s “Maisie,” the first in a series of profitable comedies that made her a leading lady for MGM.