Video: Airbus A380 landing in fierce crosswinds
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Videos like this clip of the hulking Airbus A380 landing safely after approaching the runway in crosswinds — practically flying in sideways — make me feel just that little smidgen safer. When I’m getting onboard a flying hunk of metal jammed full with suitcases and sweaty humanity, it’s good to know that the plane can land even under these conditions. It just gives me the warm fuzzies. Those fuzzies would probably go away rapidly, once the pilot announces that our gate won’t be ready for an hour, and the toilets are backed up. But let’s keep it positive for now, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the giant plane doing the stunts.
The video shows the Airbus A380 undergoing crosswind testing in Iceland. (Enjoy the Icelandic newscaster’s overdubbing!) For those folks who demand a Boeing equivalent, scroll to the bottom of this post for an equally impressive video from Boeing crosswind tests.
Related:
- Video: Airbus A380 evacuation test
- Airbus A380 at Chicago O’Hare
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August 23rd, 2007 at 10:03 am |
Uh, is Iceland known for its crosswinds? I only ask as I am flying thru there soon!
mp/m
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:22 am |
Useless fun fact from an armchair private pilot: that technique of “flying in sideways” is known as “crabbing” into the wind.
In heavy crosswinds, it’s virtually impossible to land a plane with crabbing.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:10 am |
It is now!
Of course, I hope your landing and takeoff are less dramatic. Even if you *can* land in that kind of wind, I’m sure you’d prefer a smoother approach.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:10 am |
I look forward to impressing seat-mates, friends, and relatives with the term “crabbing” for years to come.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:18 am |
I’ll have my camera in hand when we land…!
mp/m
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:25 pm |
I’ve made the acquaintance of many a pilot groupie over the years by regaling them with such fancy flying terminology!
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:36 pm |
Yep. He’s showing off, crabbing into the wind, then “kicking out the crab” (which is the endless stable of instructor-student jokes) by straighting his trajectory RIGHT before landing. It’s a monumental feat of timing, even in as automated a plane as that one is.
Do it too soon and you land to the side of the runway. Do it too late, and you’ll find yourself suddenly rolling off the runway into the grass!
That’s a very good pilot behind the stick of that thing. His kickout was perfectly timed.
October 15th, 2007 at 10:14 am |
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