Crosswind landings can be fun, however 90° crosswind landings can be a bit terrifying.

Honestly, it didn't look like the situation was as bad as all that. At least the winds weren't gusting.

heh.. the winds are always gusting.

this video shows why pilots get paid shitloads of money for only 5 minutes work per day.

Pffft, he's just stylin', airdrifting?

>> ^MINK:
this video shows why pilots get paid shitloads of money for only 5 minutes work per day.


True that, because when shit (or birds) hits the fan, they gotta be ready.

>> ^Constitutional_Patriot:
heh.. the winds are always gusting.


No, the winds were steady, as evidenced by the fact the pilot was able to hold the same attitude on approach until right down on the deck. If the winds had been gusting (eg., 30 mph gusting 50), the pilot would've had to keep correcting for the winds continually getting much stronger then weaker again.

So, a strong but steady crosswind. Much less likely to make your palms sweat than a strong gusty one.

It's hard to get the full perspective of the situation while on the ground... it'd be neat if we also had a cockpit cam to go with the vid. Although it may seem like there are no gusts.. microbursts occur when you least expect it. Also it looked like the pilot had to make a few corrections on the final approach.

Sweaty palms would be the least of my worries if I were on that plane.

As a passenger, I would have shit myself. I travel a lot, but I still can't get rid of that white-knuckle terror during takeoff and landing.

Was I looking at that right? Or was the plane actually flying sideways?

>> ^Darkhand:
Was I looking at that right? Or was the plane actually flying sideways?


It was flying straight with respect to the surrounding air, and slightly sideways with respect to the ground.

>> ^RhesusMonk:
As a passenger, I would have shit myself. I travel a lot, but I still can't get rid of that white-knuckle terror during takeoff and landing.


sounds like a mild phobia of flying. I've never had problems flying, except for the low head-space a minuscule leg room (Anyone 5'7" or taller can attest to that). My first experience on a plane was when my parents sent me and my sister alone on a plane to visit grandparents. We laughed and giggled when we experienced turbulence. To us it was a new, exciting experience.

Though you'll never get me on a roller coaster. To each his own.

*related=http://videosift.com/video/747-Crosswind-Landing-at-Hong-Kongs-Kai-Tak-Airport

747 Crosswind Landing at Hong Kong's "Kai Tak" Airport has been added as a related post - related requested by kulpims.