Enormous Airbus A400M Atlas executes dazzling beach landing
- Check out this footage of an Airbus A400M Atlas landing in wet weather on a beach
- The aircraft hails from RAF Brize Norton, UK
- The landing was flawless despite the conditions
Published on Jul 11, 2024 at 8:50 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jul 12, 2024 at 2:38 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
This footage of an Airbus A400M Atlas landing in wet weather on a beach is completely mesmerizing.
The military aircraft, which hails from RAF Brize Norton, made a rare visit to Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range in Wales.
In spite of the conditions, the landing was flawless.
READ MORE! Boeing 737 vs Airbus A320: which is the best commercial plane in the world?
The landing
The plane was captured by Dafydd Phillips at Pembrey Sands to conduct natural surface operations in the wet weather.
And before the footage was filmed and the landing executed, the pilot conducted some low approaches and some touch-and-go operations.
The latter involves the aircraft landing before immediately accelerating and taking off without stopping.
That was before the pilot was given the all-clear to land the 76-ton aircraft on the beach.
In a similarly impressive display, people were left shocked after watching this video of a plane landing on the world’s shortest runway overlooking a cliff.
Meanwhile, from inside the cockpit, this Dutch pilot shared footage of a Boeing 737 landing in crosswind.
The Airbus A400M Atlas
The Airbus A400 M Atlas, named after the Greek mythological god of strength and endurance, entered operational service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2014.
Atlas C.1 A400M ‘provides tactical airlift and strategic oversize lift capabilities complementing those of the Hercules and C-17 fleets’ per the RAF’s website.
These had been the tried and trusted workhorse of the RAF’s air transport fleet for decades.
The UK was the third country to operate the aircraft, after France and Turkey.
The $3.6 billion program saw a total of 22 aircraft delivered to the RAF over the years.
Its powerplant boasts four 11,000shp EuroProp International TP400 turboprops.
Its size is mammoth: 45.10m (147ft 11 inches) long, 14.70m (48 ft 2¾ inches) high with an impressive wingspan of 42.40m (139 ft 1¼ in).
Its heft can reach an altitude of 40,000ft and reach a maximum speed of 741km/h (400kt).
It can travel for 7,593km (4,100nm) without refueling, carrying up to 37,000kg (81,600lb).
Want to see more impressive aircraft in action? The world’s biggest plane with hypersonic launch is possibly the best thing you’ll see today.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
With a dual English and French degree and NCTJ diploma, Amelia began her career doing award-winning writing and editing for titles and brands spanning Women's Health, the Telegraph, Boots, and Vitality. Amelia joined the SB Media family in September of 2023, bringing her expertise in SEO and reader takeaway. As Lead Editor, her superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a shareable story.
