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South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt over packed stadium
Confirmed
The airline said that it was carefully planned and rehearsed, with the aircraft flying at 150 knots (172 mph), when they went over the stadium. He added that turbulence or a bird strike at such a low altitude could leave the pilots with too little room to manoeuvre without hitting the stadium.Airlink said flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed their flights were performed within civil aviation safety limits for speed and altitude.
"The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer," the airline said. “Airlink notes the concerns expressed in various social media and online forums regarding yesterday’s formation flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Cape Town Stadium,” Airlink said on Sunday.
As videos of Saturday's aerial feat were shared, some labelled the startling manoeuvre reckless, while others have praised the precision and expertise required to pull it off. The flight tracking website Flightradar24 , external said that according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the top of the stadium".
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- As videos of Saturday's aerial feat were shared, some labelled the startling manoeuvre reckless, while others have praised the precision and expertise required to pull it off.
- "The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer," the airline said.
- The flight tracking website Flightradar24 , external said that according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the top of the stadium".
- The airline said that it was carefully planned and rehearsed, with the aircraft flying at 150 knots (172 mph), when they went over the stadium.
- “Airlink notes the concerns expressed in various social media and online forums regarding yesterday’s formation flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Cape Town Stadium,” Airlink said on Sunday.
- He added that turbulence or a bird strike at such a low altitude could leave the pilots with too little room to manoeuvre without hitting the stadium.Airlink said flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed their…