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Watch: How a Plane Takes Off in the Highest Crosswind Speeds Allowed

News Airports + Flying
by Olivia Harden Apr 21, 2022

Plane travel is definitely safe. That being said, there’s still room for a bumpy ride — after all, you are in a metal tube cruising tens of thousands of feet above the earth. Pilots have a hard job because there are so many variables when it comes to flying a plane — weird weather being one of them. The TikTok account @aircrash_captain posted a video that shows how the windy weather impacted an airplane taking off on the runway at the Birmingham airport in the United Kingdom.

@aircrash_captain At Birmingham Airport (UK) on the 25th September 2017. #boeing757 #unitedairlines #maydaymayday #pilotskills ♬ original sound – Aircrash Investigation ✈

Birmingham is known for its windy weather, so taking off or landing at its airport isn’t for the faint of heart. The plane was taking off at its maximum safe crosswind limit. In an ideal world, airplanes take off with the wind, but there’s a likelihood that your pilot will have to work against it in order to take off and land. Each airplane has its own crosswind limits to ensure passengers stay safe. On this United Airlines flight, it’s clear that the pilot is fighting to keep the plane steady in the maximum crosswinds allowed for safety.

Even the most seasoned pilots have to be on their toes through every flight. In the meantime, it’s essential to be as cooperative as possible to do your part to keep you and other passengers late. When it’s time to pull your tray table up and pull up your window blinds during takeoff and landing, do so cordially. Although a moment where you feel like the plane isn’t moving in a way you particularly like, remain calm and hope that the pilot and their crew has your back.

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