I thought this was only possible in flight sim

[kjjj11223344 48]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leEtsruVmnk

[AF330 0]

Thanks to have shared!

 

PS: I am sure you remember me!

[HiFlyer 9,358]

Now everyone runs off to try it....... 

[Mithras 87]

Amazing, I was thinking ... "I bet that stall warning is screaming at the pilot!!"

[FLEX1978 373]

Very nice example of an empty aircraft combined with AoA protection.   No stall warning because it is nowhere near a stall

[stans 702]

Empty aircraft and a strong headwind.

[sascha 314]

Amazing!

[Pe11e 812]

How strong was the headwind? Minimum 110/120kts? According to umbrellas it's not even 30-40kts?!

[FLEX1978 373]

It has nothing to do with a headwind. They are simply demonstrating alpha max on an empty aircraft.

 

Not sure what the exact number for Vls is on an empty A330, but for sure the speed is very low. The limit for Vmca is 106 knots

[vololiberista 205]

To do any kind of "display" in that weather is an achievement!

[FLEX1978 373]

It does from our perspective watching. Strong headwind makes it appear to be flying slower then is possible.

Have you ever heard of the 'ground speed mini' function on the A330?

[FLEX1978 373]

I guess I assumed that the others were implying that the aircraft looks to be barely moving so of course a strong headwind will do that.

 

It's not a Boeing, ground speed mini compensates. Also in general terms you always increase speed to compensate for a headwind.  What do you think would happen on approach iin a large aircraft if you had a 30 knot head wind that suddenly reduced to 5 knots?   That is why you add Vref additives on approach.

[vololiberista 205]

I guess I assumed that the others were implying that the aircraft looks to be barely moving so of course a strong headwind will do that.

That's just the angle of the a/c from the viewer. Just as in the same way an oncoming train appears not to be moving.

[kjjj11223344 48]

Yup, pretty cool. Makes me want to take an empty 777 in fsx with 150 knot headwind and "float" it to the gate.

[Blaze 102]

I can think of another famous Airbus Alpha Max flyby at an airshow that didn't end well at all...