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The 1st episode introduces this guys life, and the characters in his life. Can't give away spoilers but its absolutely worth seeing the 2nd + 3rd episodes (the entire series is 3 episodes)...as he was involved in quite the scandal. Reviews based on only the first episode make 0 sense, as they haven't even seen 1/3rd of the story. It was really interesting, and anyone under a certain age probably doesn't know much about these incidences so it was very fascinating to see. The relationship to his family is also interesting and is the undercurrent to the series, but the stuff he is involved with is more in episodes 2+3 so they should be watched. Incomplete otherwise.

One episode down and I'm hooked! Super crazy story that's even crazier because it's TRUE! If you like shows that blow your mind with lots of unexpected twist, then you need to watch TIP. I like how the show is edited, because It keeps you engaged. There wasn't one dull moment! Pleeeease HBO, are you really going to make us wait a whole week for the 2nd episode??? I can't wait!

My sorrow is for the kids, the parents were selfish and opportunistic. I find it absolutely amazed the parents feel so sorry for themselves. The mother could've left while the kids were young and given them a better life but she still was selfish as her no good ex-husband. I have no feeling towards the parents only their children.

An interesting look at personal decisions and the decisions of Government , that seem bigger than the individual until you are that individual. Who's the biggest bad guy law makers or law breakers .maybe not the good but certainly the bad and the ugly.

As Episode 1 of "The Invisible Pilot " (2022 release; 3 episodes of about 55 min each) opens, we are on "Hazen , Arkansas", and the voice -over reminds is that 'truth is stranger than fiction". We are introduced to Gary Betzner, who loves to fly small planes. We then go to "September 18, 1977" as Gary and his wife Sally and their 2 kids go for a drive. Gary stops the car on a tall bridge, and much to the shock of Sally, he jumps off the bridge to his certain death. Why did Gary do this? Was the Dixie mafia somehow involved? At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this documentary is the brainchild of Phil Lott ("Murder In the Heartland") and Ari Mark. Here they look back, 45 years after the facts, what happened on that fateful day in 1977 and, more importantly, why. While the film makers were able to unearth a lot of 8mm and other video footage from half a century ago, and get the apparent cooperation of Sally and the kids, now well into their forties, I nevertheless got the feeling that this story doesn't seem to merit 3 hours, and probably would've benefited from a tighter edit. Certainly Episode 1 feels a little thin. Not a lot of ground is covered. Am i intrigued enough to seek out the remaining 2 episodes? I'll probably give Episode 2 a shot and see where we go from here.

"The Invisible Pilot" premiered earlier this week on HBO Max, wit Episodes 2 and 3 coming in the next 2 weeks. If you are into documentaries where "the truth is stranger than fiction", I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Like a Bigfoot or Ancient Aliens "documentary." All the hallmarks of a really bad documentary.

1. Dramatic music. Check.

2. Inexplicable jumping back and forth through time. Check.

3. Cut scenes every five seconds. Check.

4. In depth description of "feelings" on topics that aren't even clarified. Check.

What is totally clear is that something really, really dramatic happened. The spine-tingling music proves it and something that could be narrated in 30 minutes, will be teased out over multiple episodes in the most annoying fashion possible.

The Guy was a drug dealer who ran from the law numerous times and worse off he misused his family. What he did was all in his own best interest! Period. Then complains about the punishments. By the way, his family are all nuts and burnouts too. None of them are productive citizens. All this show proves is that drugs are dangerous and people like these are useless public drains on society after using and dealing drugs for years. None of these people could be trusted to actually make any truthful statements!

Seriously? They've released ONE episode. And these chuckleheads have the whole series pegged already. Are we REALLY in that place now in society that we cast aspersions on a whole miniseries based on what literally could have been a teaser of a first episode??? Come down off your mountains guys...

Waiting till the end to post a real review. Was good enough for Siskel & Ebert. It's good enough for me.

I'm not sure what's more grating-

1. The obvious mental incapacity of every single person in this 'documentary'- it feels more like an 'I wish my life were cool so I'm going to embellish every single fact to make things seems so much better!' Of course they're all completely stoned or taken leave of the majority of their faculties, and the wife is the worst. I cannot take listening to any of them but mostly her storytelling skills are the worst.

2. Stupid music constantly playing- it's very uneven and doesn't fit with a single aspect of the story. It's stupid loud most of the time and makes no sense.

3. The director has absolutely ZERO clue how to tell a story- it feels more like a poorly done home movie with decent quality cameras. The storyline jumps around incredibly sporadically and doesn't piece anything together AT ALL.

These are the 3 most annoying aspects of this hot mess of a series, and it's now become a real toss-up as to which streaming service is worse for documentaries; Netflix and HBO seem to be locked in a death match to see who can suck at supporting some of the worst work on the face of the earth.

One things for sure- IMDb needs to begin offering the zero rating option.

Ignore the low ratings! Very interesting story and lots of factual evidence.

Watch the first episode and decide for yourself! Definitely binge material. If you've got a few hours to spare on weekend, you won't regret it.

All 3 episodes were cliff hangets. No idea why this has a low rating. It's a least a good 7/10 at worst.

Grab some popcorn. Sit back and relax.

A great documentary of a true story. I can't wait until episode 2. Truth is better than fiction!!! Was Cli Tom involved I can't wait to find out. This story should be told in a major motion picture.

I won't spoil the details here if you haven't heard about this story before, just a couple of benign broad strokes.

Selfish and grandiose man justifies smuggling drugs, names players in government scandal, shows again how dirty our government is all the way to the top regardless of party affiliation by being involved in organized crime for money and self advancement...shocker. Oh and did I mention he abandoned his family in many nefarious ways? Ha. So, unless you're really young or had lived under a rock...we've seen it and heard this story for a lifetime, those before me, mine and yours.

To the pilot, wherever you are, you broke the law. You deserved jail time and to have to look at how your poor children suffered because of your abrupt and total abandonment. The mother of two is not innocent and no one in this was remorseful. I think they were confused about the MeToo movement...I'll clear it up...it doesn't mean, they got off scot free, so pardon me too.

For those who don't know a lot about the drug trades or the Iran-Contra political and humanitarian crimes, it helps fill in some interesting gaps which are referenced in many movies, documentaries, books, magazines and news reels.

Otherwise it will seem like a complete waste of time. Note to timeline: everybody in the south during the 70s had a story like this. My cousin disappeared in the gulf and the rumor was, for years, he was killed because he was working for the cia. The truth was more likely he went on a fishing trip, got drunk and fell off the boat. See, it only took a few secs to sum up his life, not 3 hrs. Honestly, I only made it thru half of the first episode before throwing in. First, the worst doc I've ever watched with the exception of the 'search for big foot in east la'. Just a whole lot of nothing and when they turned the camera on the childhood friend/so-called film maker that was it for me.

Second, the quick edits of a whole lot of artsy dramatic effects like a bad acid trip gave me a headache. But hey, what do I know, I don't like manga either. Third, as I said, it was a flashback to the 70s. And all the rumors swirling around; sometimes about family, sometimes about other people long forgotten. Personally, I think the heat and humidity of arkansas summers causes the brain to jellify. But hey, for those who are drinking the koolaid here, go watch clash of the ozarks, another hillbilly exploitation produced on gopro with mashups from the web.

What a bunch of disgusting human beings. From the slime-ball father, to the wife, down to the children. Everything about them is despicable. Oh, I imagine all the worthless potheads are loving this. So many more worthwhile stories out there and time is wasted on this.

WOW! Such an unbelievable story and told in an engaging way. Haven't seen something this good in a long time. Can't wait to hear what happens in the next few episodes!!

Just had to write a review to say the other person who reviewed this clearly did not watch it and they are an idiot. I'm sure they've never even heard of the Iran Contra Affair which I found to be a very fascinating part of this documentary because I actually watched the whole thing before making a review. Please downvote that other reviewer. Thank you.

I guess a first time effort for the film makers. They need to invest in an editor. The guy was a flier and committed suicide. It doesn't need forty five minutes to tell that much.

Only one episode in and I'm ready for another one. I'm not familiar with this story but have family near Hazen, AR. Very familiar with the scenery and have an Uncle who is a crop duster in that county.

Positives: this is a fascinating story with a twist that makes you want the next episode to be available. It's interesting and they don't try to hide the trauma and mental struggles of the family members.

Negatives The editing of the footage could have been a higher production value. At one point, they display Hazen, Arkansas in a title, then a shot of the Hazen square. Then it pans to a shot if the Dickson Street Bookstore in Fayetteville, Arkansas which is over 3 hours from Hazen. I know that most people watching will just see a bookstore shot that they think is in Hazen. But having been to both places many times, those two towns are so different from each other, from people to politics.

Overall, very satisfying to watch and I look forward to the next episode. It's always fun to watch a good documentary with familiar scenery, from the Des Arc bridge to Pulaski Heights Middle School in Little Rock.