New Delhi: The pilots of two Air India flights demonstrated expertise and skill by safely landing their Boeing Dreamliner aircraft into London’s Heathrow on Friday afternoon, even as storm Eunice left hundreds of flights delayed, diverted or cancelled.
Captain Anchit Bhardwaj was commander of AI147 and Captain Aditya Rao was at the helm on board AI145.
As the storm buffeted the Heathrow runway 27L, ‘Big Jet TV’, a YouTube channel that livestreams aircraft landings and take-offs, praised the Indian pilots. “Very skilled Indian pilot there,” said the commentator.
The video was recorded by Jerry Dyers, the founder of the channel for aviation enthusiasts. He is heard narrating the live incident as an Air India flight makes a risky landing at London’s Heathrow International Airport.
As the aircraft rocked slightly while approaching the runway, you can hear Dyers say, “Just checking to see if he’s gonna land itlooks like he’s got it; winds are gusting. yeah, very skilled Indian pilot there.”
"Very skilled Indian Pilot" 👨✈️👏
Pilots of this Air India flight managed to land their B787 Dreamliner aircraft with ease into London Heathrow yesterday afternoon in its first attempt even as Storm Eunice left hundreds of flights delayed, cancelled or diverted…
Jai Hind!🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/94FrTnTUiy— BiTANKO BiSWAS (@Bitanko_Biswas) February 19, 2022
The United Kingdom issued a ‘red’ weather warning as the record-breaking winds of Storm Eunice hit parts of the country, bringing life to a standstill, causing damage to life and property.
As several flights stood cancelled or were diverted as they missed their approach to London Heathrow, two Air India flights landed amid gusty winds on their first attempts. The flights were AI147 from Hyderabad and AI145 from Goa.
The cockpit crew members on both flights included commander Capt Manmath Routray, First Officers Capt Rahul Gupta, Capt Sushant Tare, and trainee commander Capt V Roopa.
An Air India official told India Today Television, “BA (British Airways) and QR (Qatar Airways) flights missed approach and did go-around. Our crew landed smoothly as they are well trained.”
Both aircraft were Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
