Tab Hunter's character is referred to throughout the show as Sergeant Smith. In 1956 a U.S. Air Force member wearing three stripes would have been an Airman First Class. The rank of Sergeant, with three stripes, was not used by the Air Force between 1952 and 1967. Although, this apparent inaccuracy could have been intentional by the producers to create an atmosphere of uncertainty as the drama is set in an unspecified time in the future.
When the crewman bails out of the plane it is completely dark, at night. The next shot shows the emergency equipment racing down the runway to rescue the crewman in broad daylight.