Plane Crazy

[jemhouston]

https://twitter.com/TheFigen_/status/16 ... 9609232386

[Calder]

Do you have any context for why they are doing this? I will admit my jaw dropped when I saw what they did.

[jemhouston]

Since the it's well marked for Red Bull, I think it's an ad stunt, since Red Bull gives you wings.

Anyone else sorry it didn't have a tail hook?

The pilot has brass ones.

[kdahm]

Anyone else sorry it didn't have a tail hook?

The pilot has brass ones.

Part of the point not to have a tail hook.

As far as the pilot's brass ones, not necessarily. The failure condition is that the plane overruns the landing pad and dives away to recover flying speed. Just like the takeoff.

We also don't know how many approaches he flew before the final take, how many times he did a touch-and-go first, or how the plane is configured, like its stall speed. The major danger appears to be irregular winds around the building and the building induced turbulence.

I'd give it just a bit above "Hold my hand, mommy." on the sliding scale of stunt danger.

[Calder]

Anyone else sorry it didn't have a tail hook?

The pilot has brass ones.

Part of the point not to have a tail hook.

As far as the pilot's brass ones, not necessarily. The failure condition is that the plane overruns the landing pad and dives away to recover flying speed. Just like the takeoff.

We also don't know how many approaches he flew before the final take, how many times he did a touch-and-go first, or how the plane is configured, like its stall speed. The major danger appears to be irregular winds around the building and the building induced turbulence.

I'd give it just a bit above "Hold my hand, mommy." on the sliding scale of stunt danger.

While you are correct on the dangers of overruns you have massively discounted the danger of underruns. If he is short by just a foot or 2 his wheels hit the edge, his plane tills forward with the propeller smashing into the pad and then the plane will fall backward with no power. He also needs every bit of landing space just to land without a tailhook. In the video, he lands right on the very beginning edge of the platform.

Now I am sure you are right in that they practiced this several times and probably did several touch and go before doing it. It is also a building on the Beach so I am sure the picked a windy day and fley against the wind to bring down his relative stall speed. It still looks really impressive.