The Airbus A380 is a remarkable aircraft, not only in appearance but in versatility. In a fierce winds, there is no aircraft I’d rather be on.
Check out this video entitled “Trial by turbulence – A380 thrown around but gets through”. The recently-posted video captures an A380 landing in severe crosswinds at Birmingham Airport (BHX). Notice how the plane literally shakes during final descent. This was EK39 from DXB to BHX. A flight date is not specified.
We know this was severe turbulence because the EasyJet A320 that attempted to land before it ended up diverting.
The scariest fight of my life, a Malaysia Airlines 737-800 flight from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh, included two aborted landings in similar weather conditions. It take a lot to scare me and I was very scared on this flight…it was one of those “life flashes before your eyes” flights. Thankfully we made it safely to the ground. Somehow, I don’t think I would have been nearly as concerned had it been an A380.
> Read M0re: On Malaysia Airlines and the Fragility of Life
CONCLUSION
The notion that you are foolishly “risking your life” by stepping onto aircraft, even in these conditions, is simply a fantasy. Pilots train very hard exactly for these scenarios and as near-perfect landing ultimately demonstrated, there is far smaller risk in flying than most daily activities we tend to engage in. I don’t know about you, but this video thrilled me. #aviation_nut
I think airport runways in wind prone cities should have 2 crossing x shaped runways. This will give more options during landing in above weather conditions. My opinion though.
I’m roughly 100% sure you meant BHX, as in Birmingham, UK, not BHM, as in Birmingham, Alabama 🙂
Also, I think Matthew means “airport” and not “airpot” when he writes “severe crosswinds at Birmingham Airpot (BHM).”
Mind you, “airpot” just might be the digestive for stomach-churning turbulence! 🙂
Wow, two embarrassing mistakes to start the days. All fixed now. Thanks to both of you.
That was spectacular. I love the close up of the wing flaps doing their job. Awesome. Also, I feel like all the crappy landings with crosswind videos I’ve seen are in Birmingham UK. That place must be rough.
I am from this Birmingham and the only runaway is North West to South East, and the prevailing wind, like most of the UK is out of the West/South West it is quite easy for it be a cross wind. Unfortunately the railway line and other housing developments mean that switching the runway direction is very unlikely to happen. Given the political fight over extending the runway 400m we had in the last 10 years.. a change as large as switching runway direction is not gonna happen.
This looks like typical cricket weather at Edgbaston during a Birmingham summer. Little wonder the locals clamour for more flights to Spain , Italy and Greece.
Tremendous! I love watching these landings. Such skillful pilots.