Looks like the spoilers are deployed... and not withstanding the weather, I have never seen the control surfaces move that crazy on any plane-- less a 767. Is there technique to to this, or was this a bad pilot?

I'd say the spoiler deflection (on that side) is part of the aileron deflection caused by the commanded 'into the (cross-)wind' control input.The 767 uses the ailerons and spoilers for roll control. But that's quite some weather there, huh?

"in soviet russia winds fly you"! I would have taken the train instead...

A bad pilot would have crashed the plane . As CooIP said, the spoilers are up because they support the ailerons and in this situation the takeoff is performed with the control wheel turned to the left to fight the wind (i.e. to avoid the left wing lifting in an uncontrollable manner during the takeoff roll, thus preventing a possible disaster)... Control surface deflections like those seen on the video are quite normal for a wheather like this IMHO. Look what the MD-11 captain does with the control column during final approach in the Justflight Martinair video... and the MD-11 is even bigger than the 767...

"in soviet russia winds fly you"! I would have taken the train instead...

I'd say the spoiler deflection (on that side) is part of the aileron deflection caused by the commanded 'into the (cross-)wind' control input.The 767 uses the ailerons and spoilers for roll control. But that's quite some weather there, huh?

Yup. What he said. The wind is coming from the left side of the airplane. So that wing will develop lift sooner than the downwind wing. As a result of that anticipated assemetical lift, the pilot is compensating by killing lift in that wing until he has flying speed. Then notice the correction is quickly taken out as he rotates. Then the fun begins with the turbulence. Bill in Colorado

Okay, Thanks for the replies explaining what was happening with the spoilers. Still looked like a white knuckle take-off!

I just watched this today and thought about posting it. I'd guess this flight doesn't take off in the USA? Or maybe I'm wrong.

It´s a Vodka Burner, they have fun... "Именно так мы летим в Россию, нам нравится, что никогда не бывает скучно, как в США!"

Such videos remind me how low quality our sims are...

FYI the roll spoiler deflection is fully accounted for in the pre take-off performance calculations.

"Flying, hours of boredon punctuated with moments of sheer terror"

That was one long arse takeoff roll. I imagine pretty high GTOW, always amazes me how the engines don't flame out in weather like that. They take a fire hose to them to test them they say. Great video!