Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Literature / Aquila

Go To

OR

Added: 96

Changed: 3103

Removed: 1350

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* TheAllegedCar - It's seen better days and has some minor battle-damage, but it's still very much a CoolStarship.
* AliensSpeakingEnglish - Every language ever created and going to be created, apparently.
** It's vaguely implied Aquila might possess a very sophisticated AI onboard, hence how it managed to learn Latin and English so quickly. Another possibility is that it downloaded all Earth languages by logging onto the internet, which it is shown to be capable of on the show.
* AnachronismStew - Some of the finds in the cave are ''baffling'' to the archaeologists, such as the discovery of a Native American tomahawk, ancient pottery from across the world, a ''flight-harness''... wait...
* AncientAstronauts - Aquila originally crashed on Earth at some point thousands of years ago and was found by [[spoiler:a Roman centurion, who used it to explore the world and build up an unprecedented collection of ancient treasures]].

to:

* TheAllegedCar - TheAllegedCar: It's seen better days and has some minor battle-damage, but it's still very much a CoolStarship.
* AliensSpeakingEnglish - AliensSpeakingEnglish: Every language ever created and going to be created, apparently.
**
apparently. It's vaguely implied Aquila might possess a very sophisticated AI onboard, hence how it managed to learn Latin and English so quickly. Another possibility is that it downloaded all Earth languages by logging onto the internet, which it is shown to be capable of on the show.
* AnachronismStew - AnachronismStew: Some of the finds in the cave are ''baffling'' to the archaeologists, such as the discovery of a Native American tomahawk, ancient pottery from across the world, a ''flight-harness''... wait...
* AncientAstronauts - AncientAstronauts: Aquila originally crashed on Earth at some point thousands of years ago and was found by [[spoiler:a Roman centurion, who used it to explore the world and build up an unprecedented collection of ancient treasures]].



* CanonImmigrant - In the secondbook the colours of some of the buttons have changed to match the tv series. Tom's mother's boyfriend, his son Dunstan and Geoff's penpal Paige appear in the second book as well.
* ComicBookTime - The first book was written in 1997 and is presumably set in that year. The second book (written in 2010) isn't set long after the first one mentions camera phones, [=DVDs=] and mp3 players.

to:

* CanonImmigrant - CanonImmigrant: In the secondbook the colours of some of the buttons have changed to match the tv series. Tom's mother's boyfriend, his son Dunstan and Geoff's penpal Paige appear in the second book as well.
* ComicBookTime - ComicBookTime: The first book was written in 1997 and is presumably set in that year. The second book (written in 2010) isn't set long after the first one mentions camera phones, [=DVDs=] and mp3 players.



* CoolOldLady - Mrs. Murray is a mild example. What does she do when she finds out her next door neighbours have been hiding a space ship? Have a go at flying it, of course.
* CutLexLuthorACheck - In the second book the boys think of using Aquila to rob a bank but are scared of what their parents would say if they found out. They end up using it to run several paper routes a day.
* DeflectorShields - Geoff theorises in the first episode that Aquila might be covered in a forcefield because they don't get covered in rubble when Aquila flies through a wall (keep in mind that Aquila has no doors). This is confirmed in the second book where it says that Aquila's forcefield can withstand anything up to and including a ''nuclear bomb''. So what was strong enough to break through it to cause the scar?
* DoubleAesop - Most episodes feature either an {{Aesop}} learned by one boy applying to the other, or one learned by their parents that also applies to the boys.

to:

* CoolOldLady - CoolOldLady: Mrs. Murray is a mild example. What does she do when she finds out her next door neighbours have been hiding a space ship? Have a go at flying it, of course.
* CutLexLuthorACheck - CutLexLuthorACheck: In the second book the boys think of using Aquila to rob a bank but are scared of what their parents would say if they found out. They end up using it to run several paper routes a day.
* DeflectorShields - DeflectorShields: Geoff theorises in the first episode that Aquila might be covered in a forcefield because they don't get covered in rubble when Aquila flies through a wall (keep in mind that Aquila has no doors). This is confirmed in the second book where it says that Aquila's forcefield can withstand anything up to and including a ''nuclear bomb''. So what was strong enough to break through it to cause the scar?
* DoubleAesop - DoubleAesop: Most episodes feature either an {{Aesop}} learned by one boy applying to the other, or one learned by their parents that also applies to the boys.



* ForceFieldDoor - It has these for keeping the air in when flying through outer space. They work two ways so that nothing can get in but someone on the inside can reach out and pull something or someone in.

to:

* ForceFieldDoor - ForceFieldDoor: It has these for keeping the air in when flying through outer space. They work two ways so that nothing can get in but someone on the inside can reach out and pull something or someone in.



* HiddenInPlainSight - For most of the first series, Aquila is hidden in Tom's garage, with full permission from his mother... because she thinks it's a prop from a film.

to:

* HiddenInPlainSight - HiddenInPlainSight: For most of the first series, Aquila is hidden in Tom's garage, with full permission from his mother... because she thinks it's a prop from a film.



* ItsForABook - The main characters told an archaeologist they were talking to someone in Latin online so they could get help with translating the interface on their spaceship. Later on, when they were trying to figure out how much water was needed to fully refuel the ship, one of them got his dad to do the maths for them, claiming it was for school. Also, one of them keeps the scrapbook on the ship by claiming it for something they're writing. Eventually one of the boys' parents finds the log of everything they have been doing and while the boys think they have been caught out, everybody just thinks that it ''is'' a book and bring the trope back to basics.
* TheJuggernaut - Tom and Geoff have a major OhCrap upon realising that Aquila's not where they parked it in mid-air, due to some gum that'd previously gotten jammed in the forward control. The good news is that it's moving at a snail's pace. The bad news is that unless they figure out how to stop it, Aquila will going to keep going and will demolish ''anything'' that gets in it's path.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes - This show was never released on video or DVD but the episodes are all on WebSite/YouTube.
* KidWithTheLeash - Tom and Geoff are only about 11 or 12 when they first discovered Aquila.
* MagicalNativeAmerican - Chief Runningwater
* MidairBobbing - Played straight in the TV show but the book specifies that Aquila doesn't shake in the slightest as they get out of it.
* MundaneUtility - Some of Aquila's functions. At the end of the first book, Geoff uses the laser to heat cocoa.

to:

* ItsForABook - ItsForABook: The main characters told an archaeologist they were talking to someone in Latin online so they could get help with translating the interface on their spaceship. Later on, when they were trying to figure out how much water was needed to fully refuel the ship, one of them got his dad to do the maths for them, claiming it was for school. Also, one of them keeps the scrapbook on the ship by claiming it for something they're writing. Eventually one of the boys' parents finds the log of everything they have been doing and while the boys think they have been caught out, everybody just thinks that it ''is'' a book and bring the trope back to basics.
* TheJuggernaut - TheJuggernaut: Tom and Geoff have a major OhCrap upon realising that Aquila's not where they parked it in mid-air, due to some gum that'd previously gotten jammed in the forward control. The good news is that it's moving at a snail's pace. The bad news is that unless they figure out how to stop it, Aquila will going to keep going and will demolish ''anything'' that gets in it's path.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes - KeepCirculatingTheTapes: This show was never released on video or DVD but the episodes are all on WebSite/YouTube.
* KidWithTheLeash - KidWithTheLeash: Tom and Geoff are only about 11 or 12 when they first discovered Aquila.
* MagicalNativeAmerican - MagicalNativeAmerican: Chief Runningwater
* MidairBobbing - MidairBobbing: Played straight in the TV show but the book specifies that Aquila doesn't shake in the slightest as they get out of it.
* MundaneUtility - MundaneUtility:
**
Some of Aquila's functions. At the end of the first book, Geoff uses the laser to heat cocoa.



* NightmareFuel - Invoked in regards to some of Aquila's functions.
** Especially what would have happened if Geoff hadn't asked Aquila to draw what the "Chlorine Atmospheric Regenerator" did first.
** What happened to the Roman Centurion who was its previous owner...
* NotSoImaginaryFriend - Mrs. Murray's Chief Runningwater seems to be this.
* OminousLatinChanting - the opening credits, which feature the chant "''Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat''" - "A man can fly where he will, if he rides on the back of an eagle."
** Also doubles as a TitleDrop

to:

* NightmareFuel - Invoked in regards to some of Aquila's functions.
** Especially what would have happened if Geoff hadn't asked Aquila to draw what the "Chlorine Atmospheric Regenerator" did first.
** What happened to the Roman Centurion who was its previous owner...
* NotSoImaginaryFriend -
NotSoImaginaryFriend: Mrs. Murray's Chief Runningwater seems to be this.
* OminousLatinChanting - the OminousLatinChanting: The opening credits, which feature the chant "''Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat''" - "A man can fly where he will, if he rides on the back of an eagle."
** Also
" It doubles as a TitleDropTitleDrop.



* ReadTheFreakingManual - Tom and Geoff have to use trial and error to figure out what each button does. Even if they did, before they figured out how to make the language settings to English, it would have been in ''Latin'' anyway.
** In the book, its mentioned that Tom gave up after discovering that a list of all of the ships functions would take several ''months'' to read.
* SecretKeeper - Mrs. Murray in the second season.

to:

* ReadTheFreakingManual - ReadTheFreakingManual: Tom and Geoff have to use trial and error to figure out what each button does. Even if they did, before they figured out how to make the language settings to English, it would have been in ''Latin'' anyway.
**
anyway. In the book, its mentioned that Tom gave up after discovering that a list of all of the ships functions would take several ''months'' to read.
* SecretKeeper - SecretKeeper: Mrs. Murray in the second season.



* SuddenlySpeaking - The first book specifies that Aquila can't talk because its speech processors were damaged by a laser, (the discoloured dent on part of its hull). At the end of the second book it can talk through the boy's mobile phones.
* SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids - justified. Aquila may seem to have an oddly wide range of functions, considering that it's apparently just an escape pod, but as a military life-raft intended to protect a user in the vacuum of space and help them sneak home through occupied enemy territory, it needs to be rather a cut above your usual capsule. Of course, it could always be the captain's....
* TechnologyMarchesOn - Remember how amazing it was back in 1998 that Aquila was capable of wirelessly connecting to the internet? In the second book the boys have camera phones and mp3 players.
* TheTell - One of the protagonists' mothers realises he's upset when he begins sorting his rock collection.
* TrappedInAnotherWorld - When trying to think of ways to deal with Bobby, Geoff says Aquila could send him to another dimension.
* UngratefulBastard - The farmer who owned the land the caves were on. In the television series, after becoming a millionaire because of Tom and Geoff's finds, he only gives them ''50p'' as a reward.
** It's unclear if Andrew Norriss knows this, but under the Treasure Act, land-owners and finders are entitled to a 50/50 share of the reward! He's effectively stifled Tom and Geoff out of millions of pounds of money!
* UnusualUserInterface - Aquila draws illustrations to explain things to Geoff, due to his dyslexia.
* VisibleInvisibility - Aquila apparently is completely invisible, but produces a mild shimmer when it moves.
** In the first book, they notice it has some leaves settle on it after being parked near a tree, while the second book mentions that it looks a bubble when it's raining.
** In the TV series, Mrs. Murray's NotSoImaginaryFriend Chief Running Water can sometimes be seen by the viewer, but not Tom and Geoff.
* WhatDoesThisButtonDo - Goes horribly wrong when they discover the laser.
** In the book, its mentioned that one of the button will turn the atmosphere in the ship to ''Chlorine''. When neither of them understand this, Geoff repeats the question, (having previously asked Aquila to show him information visually, because of his dyslexia), so it draws him an illustration of a man choking to death.

to:

* SuddenlySpeaking - SuddenlySpeaking: The first book specifies that Aquila can't talk because its speech processors were damaged by a laser, (the discoloured dent on part of its hull). At the end of the second book it can talk through the boy's mobile phones.
* SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids - SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids: justified. Aquila may seem to have an oddly wide range of functions, considering that it's apparently just an escape pod, but as a military life-raft intended to protect a user in the vacuum of space and help them sneak home through occupied enemy territory, it needs to be rather a cut above your usual capsule. Of course, it could always be the captain's....
* TechnologyMarchesOn - TechnologyMarchesOn: Remember how amazing it was back in 1998 that Aquila was capable of wirelessly connecting to the internet? In the second book the boys have camera phones and mp3 players.
* TheTell - TheTell: One of the protagonists' mothers realises he's upset when he begins sorting his rock collection.
* TrappedInAnotherWorld - TrappedInAnotherWorld: When trying to think of ways to deal with Bobby, Geoff says Aquila could send him to another dimension.
* UngratefulBastard - UngratefulBastard: The farmer who owned the land the caves were on. In the television series, after becoming a millionaire because of Tom and Geoff's finds, he only gives them ''50p'' as a reward.
**
reward. It's unclear if Andrew Norriss knows this, but under the Treasure Act, land-owners and finders are entitled to a 50/50 share of the reward! He's effectively stifled Tom and Geoff out of millions of pounds of money!
* UnusualUserInterface - UnusualUserInterface: Aquila draws illustrations to explain things to Geoff, due to his dyslexia.
* VisibleInvisibility - VisibleInvisibility: Aquila apparently is completely invisible, but produces a mild shimmer when it moves.
**
moves. In the first book, they notice it has some leaves settle on it after being parked near a tree, while the second book mentions that it looks a bubble when it's raining.
**
raining. In the TV series, Mrs. Murray's NotSoImaginaryFriend Chief Running Water can sometimes be seen by the viewer, but not Tom and Geoff.
* WhatDoesThisButtonDo - WhatDoesThisButtonDo: Goes horribly wrong when they discover the laser.
**
laser. In the book, its mentioned that one of the button will turn the atmosphere in the ship to ''Chlorine''. When neither of them understand this, Geoff repeats the question, (having previously asked Aquila to show him information visually, because of his dyslexia), so it draws him an illustration of a man choking to death.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Removing malformed wick


%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


The show focuses on Tom Baxter (Ben Brooks) and Geoff Reynolds (Craig Vye), two school boys, who find a strange alien space ship, the titled Aquila, buried underground. Along with the craft they find the body of a Roman Centurion who was the crafts previous owner. Upon discovery the boys fiddle around with the coloured controls which immediately responds so the boys think it’s a great idea to steal the greatest scientific/historical discovery of all time for fun because, well who wouldn't?

to:

The show focuses on Tom Baxter (Ben Brooks) and Geoff Reynolds (Craig Vye), two school boys, who find a strange alien space ship, the titled titular Aquila, buried underground. Along with the craft they find the body of a Roman Centurion who was the crafts previous owner. Upon discovery the boys fiddle around with the coloured controls which immediately responds so the boys think it’s a great idea to steal the greatest scientific/historical discovery of all time for fun because, well who wouldn't?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* EscapePod: It was one for an lien battlecruiser.

to:

* EscapePod: It was one for an lien alien battlecruiser.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* StockStarSystems: The aliens that built Aquila come from Deneb.

Changed: 220

Removed: 472

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* GettingCrapPastTheRadar:
** After Pam's boyfriend buys her an expensive diamond ring, the scene ends with Pam saying "I'm going to have to reward you for this. Something... fun" ''very'' suggestively and beginning to lean down...
** In the television series, when they discover the flight recorder, Geoff off-handedly mentions that what the Roman Centurion does after using the knockout beam to steal some gold, is spend some days with some "women" in Cirencester...''[[CovertPervert watch]]'' it?!

to:

%% * GettingCrapPastTheRadar:
** After Pam's boyfriend buys her an expensive diamond ring,
GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the scene ends with Pam saying "I'm going to have to reward you for this. Something... fun" ''very'' suggestively and beginning to lean down...
** In
future, please check the television series, when they discover trope page to make sure your example fits the flight recorder, Geoff off-handedly mentions that what the Roman Centurion does after using the knockout beam to steal some gold, is spend some days with some "women" in Cirencester...''[[CovertPervert watch]]'' it?!current definition.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AncientAstronauts - Aquila originally crashed on Earth at some point thousands of years ago and was found by a Roman centurion, who used it to explore the world and build up an unprecedented collection of ancient treasures.

to:

* AncientAstronauts - Aquila originally crashed on Earth at some point thousands of years ago and was found by a [[spoiler:a Roman centurion, who used it to explore the world and build up an unprecedented collection of ancient treasures.treasures]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added: 135

Removed: 140

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Frickin' Laser Beams entry amended in accordance with this Trope Repair Shop Thread.


* EnergyWeapon: It can shoot one that will burn through pretty much anything. From the back in the book, from the front in the TV show.



* FrickinLaserBeams: It can shoot one that will burn through pretty much anything. From the back in the book, from the front in the TV show.

Added: 259

Changed: 204

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ComputerVoice: Aquila originally had one but due to damage in a previous battle, it can't make any sound. Text on the screen provides the same function.



* EscapePod

to:

* EscapePodEscapePod: It was one for an lien battlecruiser.



* FrickinLaserBeams

to:

* FrickinLaserBeamsFrickinLaserBeams: It can shoot one that will burn through pretty much anything. From the back in the book, from the front in the TV show.



* KeepCirculatingTheTapes - This show was never released on video or DVD.

to:

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes - This show was never released on video or DVD.DVD but the episodes are all on WebSite/YouTube.


Added DiffLines:

* PlotSensitiveButton: The second book says tasks can be reassigned to any button by asking the computer.

Changed: 14

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* SuddenlyVoiced - The first book specifies that Aquila can't talk because it's speech processors were damaged by a laser, (the discoloured dent on part of it's hull). At the end of the second book it can talk through the boy's mobile phones.

to:

* SuddenlyVoiced SuddenlySpeaking - The first book specifies that Aquila can't talk because it's its speech processors were damaged by a laser, (the discoloured dent on part of it's its hull). At the end of the second book it can talk through the boy's mobile phones.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* GettingCrapPastTheRadar - After Pam's boyfriend buys her an expensive diamond ring, the scene ends with Pam saying "I'm going to have to reward you for this. Something... fun" ''very'' suggestively and beginning to lean down...
** In the television series, when they discover the flight recorder, Geoff off-handedly mentions that what the Roman Centurion does after using the knockout beam to steal some gold, is spend some days with some "women" in Cirencester...
*** Which begs the question of if the Roman Centurion ''recorded'' the event?! And did Geoff ''[[CovertPervert watch]]'' it?!
* HalfTruth

to:

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar - GettingCrapPastTheRadar:
**
After Pam's boyfriend buys her an expensive diamond ring, the scene ends with Pam saying "I'm going to have to reward you for this. Something... fun" ''very'' suggestively and beginning to lean down...
** In the television series, when they discover the flight recorder, Geoff off-handedly mentions that what the Roman Centurion does after using the knockout beam to steal some gold, is spend some days with some "women" in Cirencester...
*** Which begs the question of if the Roman Centurion ''recorded'' the event?! And did Geoff
Cirencester...''[[CovertPervert watch]]'' it?!
* HalfTruthHalfTruth: told by the boys frequently to avoid revealing Aquila.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


The show focuses on Tom Baxter (Ben Brooks) and Geoff Reynolds (Craig Vye), two school boys, who find a strange alien space ship, the titled Aquila, buried underground. Along with the craft they find the body of Roman Centurion who was the crafts previous owner. Upon discovery the boys fiddle around with the coloured controls which immediately responds so the boys think it’s a great idea to steal the greatest scientific/historical discovery of all time for fun because, well who wouldn't?

to:

The show focuses on Tom Baxter (Ben Brooks) and Geoff Reynolds (Craig Vye), two school boys, who find a strange alien space ship, the titled Aquila, buried underground. Along with the craft they find the body of a Roman Centurion who was the crafts previous owner. Upon discovery the boys fiddle around with the coloured controls which immediately responds so the boys think it’s a great idea to steal the greatest scientific/historical discovery of all time for fun because, well who wouldn't?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


A children’s TV show written by Andrew Norriss and based on his book Aquila. Lasted from December, 1997 to December, 1998. A total 13 episodes in two seasons. More information on the writer's websites: http://www.andrewnorriss.co.uk/ and http://anorrissbooks.wordpress.com

to:

A children’s TV show written by Andrew Norriss and based on his book Aquila.''Aquila''. Lasted from December, 1997 to December, 1998. A total 13 episodes in two seasons. More information on the writer's websites: http://www.andrewnorriss.co.uk/ and http://anorrissbooks.wordpress.com
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* DeflectorShields - Geoff theorises in the first episode that Aquila might be covered in a forcefield because they don't get covered in rubble when Aquila flies through a wall (keep in mind that Aquila has no doors). This is confirmed in the second book where it says that Aquila's forcefield can withstand anything up to and including a ''nuclear bomb''. [[FridgeLogic This makes one wonder where that scar came from.]]

to:

* DeflectorShields - Geoff theorises in the first episode that Aquila might be covered in a forcefield because they don't get covered in rubble when Aquila flies through a wall (keep in mind that Aquila has no doors). This is confirmed in the second book where it says that Aquila's forcefield can withstand anything up to and including a ''nuclear bomb''. [[FridgeLogic This makes one wonder where that scar came from.]]So what was strong enough to break through it to cause the scar?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ItsForABook

to:

* ItsForABookItsForABook - The main characters told an archaeologist they were talking to someone in Latin online so they could get help with translating the interface on their spaceship. Later on, when they were trying to figure out how much water was needed to fully refuel the ship, one of them got his dad to do the maths for them, claiming it was for school. Also, one of them keeps the scrapbook on the ship by claiming it for something they're writing. Eventually one of the boys' parents finds the log of everything they have been doing and while the boys think they have been caught out, everybody just thinks that it ''is'' a book and bring the trope back to basics.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:228:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/51i-xSi2TUL__SS500__2972.jpg]]

->"[[OminousLatinChanting Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat]]"
-->''Aquila'''s opening theme (Translation: "A man can fly where he will, if he rides on the back of an eagle.")

A children’s TV show written by Andrew Norriss and based on his book Aquila. Lasted from December, 1997 to December, 1998. A total 13 episodes in two seasons. More information on the writer's websites: http://www.andrewnorriss.co.uk/ and http://anorrissbooks.wordpress.com

The show focuses on Tom Baxter (Ben Brooks) and Geoff Reynolds (Craig Vye), two school boys, who find a strange alien space ship, the titled Aquila, buried underground. Along with the craft they find the body of Roman Centurion who was the crafts previous owner. Upon discovery the boys fiddle around with the coloured controls which immediately responds so the boys think it’s a great idea to steal the greatest scientific/historical discovery of all time for fun because, well who wouldn't?

At the start everything is in Latin (which the boys originally think is an alien language) and they need to hide a car sized, bright red alien spaceship nearby. They later learn that they can change the language of the craft to English and it has a cloaking device so that’s two problems solved. Naturally however the boys still managed to get into trouble every week with a cliff hanger at the end of each episode. The series ends with a massive cliff hanger where they find a “Battle Cruiser” on a visit to space.
----
!!Contains examples of the following tropes:

* TheAllegedCar - It's seen better days and has some minor battle-damage, but it's still very much a CoolStarship.
* AliensSpeakingEnglish - Every language ever created and going to be created, apparently.
** It's vaguely implied Aquila might possess a very sophisticated AI onboard, hence how it managed to learn Latin and English so quickly. Another possibility is that it downloaded all Earth languages by logging onto the internet, which it is shown to be capable of on the show.
* AnachronismStew - Some of the finds in the cave are ''baffling'' to the archaeologists, such as the discovery of a Native American tomahawk, ancient pottery from across the world, a ''flight-harness''... wait...
* AncientAstronauts - Aquila originally crashed on Earth at some point thousands of years ago and was found by a Roman centurion, who used it to explore the world and build up an unprecedented collection of ancient treasures.
* AwkwardFatherSonBondingActivity
* CanonImmigrant - In the secondbook the colours of some of the buttons have changed to match the tv series. Tom's mother's boyfriend, his son Dunstan and Geoff's penpal Paige appear in the second book as well.
* ComicBookTime - The first book was written in 1997 and is presumably set in that year. The second book (written in 2010) isn't set long after the first one mentions camera phones, [=DVDs=] and mp3 players.
* CoolOldLady - Mrs. Murray is a mild example. What does she do when she finds out her next door neighbours have been hiding a space ship? Have a go at flying it, of course.
* CutLexLuthorACheck - In the second book the boys think of using Aquila to rob a bank but are scared of what their parents would say if they found out. They end up using it to run several paper routes a day.
* DeflectorShields - Geoff theorises in the first episode that Aquila might be covered in a forcefield because they don't get covered in rubble when Aquila flies through a wall (keep in mind that Aquila has no doors). This is confirmed in the second book where it says that Aquila's forcefield can withstand anything up to and including a ''nuclear bomb''. [[FridgeLogic This makes one wonder where that scar came from.]]
* DoubleAesop - Most episodes feature either an {{Aesop}} learned by one boy applying to the other, or one learned by their parents that also applies to the boys.
* EscapePod
* ForceFieldDoor - It has these for keeping the air in when flying through outer space. They work two ways so that nothing can get in but someone on the inside can reach out and pull something or someone in.
* FrickinLaserBeams
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar - After Pam's boyfriend buys her an expensive diamond ring, the scene ends with Pam saying "I'm going to have to reward you for this. Something... fun" ''very'' suggestively and beginning to lean down...
** In the television series, when they discover the flight recorder, Geoff off-handedly mentions that what the Roman Centurion does after using the knockout beam to steal some gold, is spend some days with some "women" in Cirencester...
*** Which begs the question of if the Roman Centurion ''recorded'' the event?! And did Geoff ''[[CovertPervert watch]]'' it?!
* HalfTruth
* HiddenInPlainSight - For most of the first series, Aquila is hidden in Tom's garage, with full permission from his mother... because she thinks it's a prop from a film.
* ImportedAlienPhlebotinum
* InWorkingOrder
* ItsForABook
* TheJuggernaut - Tom and Geoff have a major OhCrap upon realising that Aquila's not where they parked it in mid-air, due to some gum that'd previously gotten jammed in the forward control. The good news is that it's moving at a snail's pace. The bad news is that unless they figure out how to stop it, Aquila will going to keep going and will demolish ''anything'' that gets in it's path.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes - This show was never released on video or DVD.
* KidWithTheLeash - Tom and Geoff are only about 11 or 12 when they first discovered Aquila.
* MagicalNativeAmerican - Chief Runningwater
* MidairBobbing - Played straight in the TV show but the book specifies that Aquila doesn't shake in the slightest as they get out of it.
* MundaneUtility - Some of Aquila's functions. At the end of the first book, Geoff uses the laser to heat cocoa.
** Tom is no better, using the laser to collect the top of famous mountains, then adding them to his rock collection. In the television series, Tom mentions that he's started collecting them from the Moon and Mars as well.
* NightmareFuel - Invoked in regards to some of Aquila's functions.
** Especially what would have happened if Geoff hadn't asked Aquila to draw what the "Chlorine Atmospheric Regenerator" did first.
** What happened to the Roman Centurion who was its previous owner...
* NotSoImaginaryFriend - Mrs. Murray's Chief Runningwater seems to be this.
* OminousLatinChanting - the opening credits, which feature the chant "''Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat''" - "A man can fly where he will, if he rides on the back of an eagle."
** Also doubles as a TitleDrop
* PhlebotinumBreakdown
* ReadTheFreakingManual - Tom and Geoff have to use trial and error to figure out what each button does. Even if they did, before they figured out how to make the language settings to English, it would have been in ''Latin'' anyway.
** In the book, its mentioned that Tom gave up after discovering that a list of all of the ships functions would take several ''months'' to read.
* SecretKeeper - Mrs. Murray in the second season.
* SuddenlyVoiced - The first book specifies that Aquila can't talk because it's speech processors were damaged by a laser, (the discoloured dent on part of it's hull). At the end of the second book it can talk through the boy's mobile phones.
* SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids - justified. Aquila may seem to have an oddly wide range of functions, considering that it's apparently just an escape pod, but as a military life-raft intended to protect a user in the vacuum of space and help them sneak home through occupied enemy territory, it needs to be rather a cut above your usual capsule. Of course, it could always be the captain's....
* TechnologyMarchesOn - Remember how amazing it was back in 1998 that Aquila was capable of wirelessly connecting to the internet? In the second book the boys have camera phones and mp3 players.
* TheTell - One of the protagonists' mothers realises he's upset when he begins sorting his rock collection.
* TrappedInAnotherWorld - When trying to think of ways to deal with Bobby, Geoff says Aquila could send him to another dimension.
* UngratefulBastard - The farmer who owned the land the caves were on. In the television series, after becoming a millionaire because of Tom and Geoff's finds, he only gives them ''50p'' as a reward.
** It's unclear if Andrew Norriss knows this, but under the Treasure Act, land-owners and finders are entitled to a 50/50 share of the reward! He's effectively stifled Tom and Geoff out of millions of pounds of money!
* UnusualUserInterface - Aquila draws illustrations to explain things to Geoff, due to his dyslexia.
* VisibleInvisibility - Aquila apparently is completely invisible, but produces a mild shimmer when it moves.
** In the first book, they notice it has some leaves settle on it after being parked near a tree, while the second book mentions that it looks a bubble when it's raining.
** In the TV series, Mrs. Murray's NotSoImaginaryFriend Chief Running Water can sometimes be seen by the viewer, but not Tom and Geoff.
* WhatDoesThisButtonDo - Goes horribly wrong when they discover the laser.
** In the book, its mentioned that one of the button will turn the atmosphere in the ship to ''Chlorine''. When neither of them understand this, Geoff repeats the question, (having previously asked Aquila to show him information visually, because of his dyslexia), so it draws him an illustration of a man choking to death.
----

Top