Flight attendant’s viral video shows pilots landing in heavy rainstorm, offering a rare glimpse into the cockpit dynamics during tumultuous weather.
“This was the day I learned that planes have wiper blades,” TikToker @damailufta remarked, sharing her firsthand experience as she observed the pilots battling the elements while making their approach into Sola Airport in Stavanger, Norway.
Mina Farmen Bertheussen, 30, a flight attendant with Norwegian Airlines, explained that she was not in work mode during this flight; rather, she was a passenger headed to visit family. Her request to sit in the cockpit allowed her to capture an extraordinary perspective.
The video, presenting a seldom-seen view of cockpit operations amidst stormy conditions, quickly garnered over 3.5 million views.
“These guys are magicians,” one viewer marveled.
“Talk about trusting your instruments,” another observer humorously noted.
As the aircraft neared the runway, viewers could hear the pilots counting down their altitude, a clear indication against the misconception that planes land automatically. Bertheussen clarified this myth with a pointed observation.
“You can indeed hear it in the video,” she noted. “At around 300 to 400 meters, a loud alarm goes off. That’s them disengaging the autopilot. From that point on, the pilots are handling every aspect of the landing. Autopilot aids them in certain conditions, but they are the navigators in command.”
Viewers on TikTok expressed fascination not only with the pilots’ calm control but also with the humble appearance of the aircraft’s windshield wipers.
“Those windshield wipers were fighting for their lives,” remarked one bemused viewer.
“These blades gave off serious anxiety vibes,” quipped another.
“Wipers truly stole the show,” a third listener chimed in.
Bertheussen conveyed that her cockpit experience reaffirmed her respect for aviation professionals.
“It’s impressive to witness how they don’t just depend on their vision,” she reflected. “They rely heavily on their instruments. The pilots are extraordinarily skilled. They know precisely what to do.”
Flying through turbulent storms can trigger anxiety for those unaccustomed to air travel, yet Bertheussen reassured that there is no cause for alarm.
“The video might appear dramatic, yet the pilots are in complete control,” she said soothingly. “To them, this is just another day at the office, and they have extensive training for these situations. Similarly, as flight attendants, we remain calm during turbulence because we’ve been trained. We understand what’s safe.”
In sharing this video, Bertheussen opened a window into an arduous yet fascinating world few will ever experience.
Her keen interest in diverse roles has also led her to operate cranes during the COVID-19 pandemic, posting striking videos of working in a lofty glass-enclosed cabin overlooking cityscapes.
“When you showcase a video from this type of job, it reveals a side of aviation that’s rarely seen,” she mused. “There’s an inherent curiosity about what transpires in the cockpit during tough conditions. People appreciate glimpsing those unseen moments.”
