South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt over packed stadium
The South African airline behind a dramatic stunt that saw two of its aircraft in close formation fly reportedly within feet of the top of a stadium has defended itself in the face of some criticism.
The South African airline behind a dramatic stunt that saw two of its aircraft in close formation fly reportedly within feet of the top of a stadium has defended itself in the face of some criticism.
The jets roared over Cape Town's DHL stadium as flares shot up before the start of a rugby match featuring fierce rivals South Africa and New Zealand.
The jets roared over Cape Town's DHL stadium as flares shot up before the start of a rugby match featuring fierce rivals South Africa and New Zealand.
Some labelled the manoeuvre reckless, while others have praised the precision and expertise required to pull it off.
Some labelled the manoeuvre reckless, while others have praised the precision and expertise required to pull it off.
In response, Airlink said it was carefully planned with the support of the aviation authorities.
In response, Airlink said it was carefully planned with the support of the aviation authorities.
"Planning. Precision. Performance," was the airline's message in social media posts accompanied by the footage.
"Planning. Precision. Performance," was the airline's message in social media posts accompanied by the footage.
the airline's message in social media postsIn a statement reproduced on a government news site, Airlink went into more detail.
In a statement reproduced on a government news site, Airlink went into more detail.
In a statement reproduced on a government news site"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 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.
It added that the flights were performed with the "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast".
It added that the flights were performed with the "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast".
The flight tracking website Flightradar24 said that according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the top of the stadium".
The flight tracking website Flightradar24 said that according to its analysis "the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the top of the stadium".
The flight tracking website Flightradar24Questions have been raised over the risk and potential for disaster involving two planes and a packed stadium, but many South Africans have responded with expressions of national pride that its country's pilots could pull this off.
Questions have been raised over the risk and potential for disaster involving two planes and a packed stadium, but many South Africans have responded with expressions of national pride that its country's pilots could pull this off.
The low-altitude flyby has become a feature of the build-up to some big matches.
The low-altitude flyby has become a feature of the build-up to some big matches.
The most notable was when a South African Airways jet flew over a Johannesburg stadium before the start of the 1995 rugby World Cup final which saw South Africa beat New Zealand.
The most notable was when a South African Airways jet flew over a Johannesburg stadium before the start of the 1995 rugby World Cup final which saw South Africa beat New Zealand.
The match, immortalised in the Hollywood film Invictus, was highly symbolic as the country's first black president, Nelson Mandela, donned the jersey of the national side, which had been closely associated with the apartheid government and previously excluded players who were not white.
The match, immortalised in the Hollywood film Invictus, was highly symbolic as the country's first black president, Nelson Mandela, donned the jersey of the national side, which had been closely associated with the apartheid government and previously excluded players who were not white.
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