Boeing 747 Captain Christiaan van Heijst has taken a stunning video of an automatic landing in blinding fog and snow.
Christiaan takes up the story:
“Latest weather update: recent snowfall. Clouds were reported scattered at 200 feet and broken at 300 feet. Visibility 2000 meters.
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“Not quite alarming yet, but it calls for a CAT III landing anyway.
“Said goodbye to the stars a few minutes ago and now descending through clouds. Instruments telling me we’re still heading towards the runway, my speed and altitude as predicted. Speedbrake armed, landing gear down and flaps 30.
“The mist ahead seems to brighten up more and more. Then suddenly, a line of glowing dots appears in the middle and straight ahead: approach lights in sight. We can continue towards the runway.
“The runway looks like a giant glowing Christmas tree, fitting for this time of year.
“And so comes Santa’s four-engine Sleigh safely down to the ground, delivering another load of presents and goods.”
Christiaan is one of the world’s leading aviation photographers and more of his work and more close encounter (s) can be found here.
You can follow Christiaan on Instagram here: @jpcvanheijst
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