A British tourist got the shock of his life, when the powerful thrust of a jet engine knocked him off his feet. The man stood filming planes take off on the Greek island of Skiathos. Apparently he stood much too close and didn’t stick with ‘safety guidelines’…
Paul Turner from Cheshire is responsible for capturing the remarkable footage of a Thomas Cook passenger plane — an Airbus A321-231 — taking off at Skiathos Airport, writes Daily Mail.
As the plane accelerates along the runway, Turner’s camera suddenly pans skywards as he is sent flying by the sheer force of the carrier jet’s turbines.
The spot Turner was filming is a hit among tourists for plane-watching as the runway backs on to a beach just an estimated 30ft from where aircrafts take off.
Most observers grab on to a bordering fence to prevent being blown over by the gust of the engines.
“I have always wanted to stand in the jet stream of a passenger jet after seeing videos on Facebook of other people doing it at Skiathos Airport,” Turner said told Daily Mail.
“This was one for my bucket list, now finally ticked off. I didn’t realize just how close you can actually get to the jets on the runway — some 30ft or less on takeoff.”
It has to be one of the closest standing points a member of the public can stand on takeoff and in glorious sunshine too on the beautiful island of Skiathos.
“When the Jets land it’s just as impressive, you can literally feel the air move as they pass over you it’s an amazing experience.”
Ironically, Turner owns a camera stabilising company called Smoothshot.
“I own a camera stabiliser business called Smoothshot . Even one of our Steadicams would be no match for the power of a civila aviation jet on take off. It literally knocked me off my feet.”
“I will remember to hold on to the barrier next time.”
