Microburst Event
Why Hacker News recommends it
Linked as a vivid real-world illustration of wind gusts and lift acting on aircraft.
What it is
Amateur footage from 2014 of small airplanes being lifted and blown around during a microburst. It is a three-minute clip showing how violent the gusts can be.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2020 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Cites jb775 · 2020-02 · on “The mysteries of aerodynamic lift”
Recently saw this crazy video of planes being lifted into the air during a microburst. At the time I wondered what caused the lift...food for thought for this discussion. [this video] A microburst is a rare weather event where a cloud basically shoots air downwards up to 100mph: [LINK]
Cites arealaccount · 2023-02 · on “United Flight 1722 came within 775 feet of plunging into Pacific Ocean”
Its a burst of strong updrafts or downdrafts, it’s very dangerous in aircraft. Video of some small airplanes attempting to fly in microburst conditions: [this video]
Cites ortusdux · 2024-06 · on “Aster shootdown over Sydney in 1955”
It doesn't take all that much wind to cause modern light aircraft to take off on their own. The gusts in this video were 55 knots, but I've heard that some STOLs are susceptible to 20 knot winds. [this video]