These days almost anything aviation can be caught on video — stunning airshow performances, hair-raising emergencies or priceless experiences you can only get while being in the cockpit. Thanks to the accessibility of video cameras, people have the opportunity to capture some pretty incredible and unbelievable moments that were much more difficult to record only a few years ago. These 10 viral aviation videos were featured in Flying’s Enews over the year and they are definitely worth watching again and again.
10. Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s Near-Vertical Takeoff
In preparation for the 2015 Paris Air Show, Boeing posted a video showcasing the 787 Dreamliner’s impressive takeoff abilities. Footage of the airliner’s steep climb instantly took off around the Web, capturing the attention of pilots and non-pilots alike. Watch the crew rehearse a beautiful flight for the show.
9. Emergency Landing During Washington Flyover
During one of the most spectacular displays of the year — a mega warbird flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day — a TBM Avenger pilot had to react quickly to smoke in the cockpit while flying in formation. Cockpit footage was released of the intense emergency situation, which ended with a great landing.
8. Four-Year-Old’s Priceless Reaction to Aerobatics
If you feel like you need a reminder of the magic of flying, then simply watch this. Raphael Langumier’s four-year-old daughter Léa asked to go up and experience inverted flight, so the pair took to the skies for some aerobatics in his Citabria. Her reaction is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
7. Amazing Robot-Controlled Flight Simulator
In a world full of drones and UAVs, we’ve seen robotic and automation technology used for a plethora of things, but researchers in Germany found a way to apply that to flight simulators — and in the process created what’s possibly the world’s most realistic simulator. Using a large robotic arm attached to a cockpit, the sim creates an almost-perfect illusion of flying. This video shows the cool technology in action.
6. Plane Nearly Hits Boat in Flyby Stunt
Though this video is only a few seconds long, this far-too-close flyby stunt still manages to push you to the edge of your seat. One of the boaters captured the moment giving us a firsthand look at just how close the plane was as it buzzed by.
5. Pilot Crash Lands Stricken Floatplane
The last moments of a tragic deadly midair collision were recorded as one of the planes involved in the accident, a Cessna 185 floatplane, made an emergency landing. With only one float, the damaged 185 flips as it lands and the pilot can be seen running from the wreckage shortly after.
4. Tom Cruise Pulls Off ‘Impossible’ Stunt
Have you ever wanted to see Tom Cruise riding on the side of an Airbus A400M? Well, then this is the video for you. In a featurette for the latest “Mission: Impossible” movie we got to see Cruise himself perform a daring stunt — a stunt he did not only once but eight times.
3. Boeing 777 Harrowing Landing During a Storm in Amsterdam
In what was quoted to be “Netherlands’ worst July storm,” video captured a Boeing 777 battling the harsh storm as it landed at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport. Despite the difficult conditions the pilot managed to touch down safely, though the passengers might have had their doubts for those tense moments before landing.
2. Cirrus SR22 Chute Deployment in Pacific
It’s not often Cirrus’ parachute system gets pulled, so when it does it’s a rare sight to see. Earlier in the year, this SR22 pilot deployed the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) while flying over the Pacific and footage was released by the U.S. Coast Guard showing the plane floating down to the water’s surface. The pilot even had a enough time to film a selfie video during the ditching.
1. Crazy Crosswinds Challenge Fliers
If you want to witness some of the most challenging crosswind takeoff and landings, then you need to be at Birmingham Airport. YouTube user flugsnug has done just that and managed to capture stunning footage of pilots and their airplanes fighting against the tricky conditions. This highly-watched video focuses on turboprops tormented by the crazy crosswinds.
Can’t get enough of these? Check out the top contenders from last year’s list for more exciting videos. View the list here.
