One of my Top Three Night Videos: Airliner Engine Exhaust Heat Distorts Imagery

This is one of the BEST landing videos I’ve ever seen. Period. One of my all time Top Three easily. And when you catch what the engines are doing, it gets even better. Filmed at San Diego International Airport, this shot captures something most people miss. As the airliner passes overhead, you can actually see the engine exhaust heat distorting the buildings at the end of the runway. The photographer timed it perfectly. Now watch closely. See the heat ripple moving left to right? That tells you the wind is pushing across the runway. That’s why the jet is holding a slight left crab on final to touchdown. That’s not random—that’s professional airmanship. The crew is flying the wind all the way to touchdown. San Diego is one of my favorite plane spotting locations in the country. Jets come over the hill, downtown buildings in the background, tight approach path—it’s a dream for photographers and avgeeks alike. This is aviation art mixed with aerodynamics in real time. Video was captured by @patrickc_la and I offer my congratulations to him on recording such an incredible approach and landing! Follow for more breakdowns of landings, tactics, and the skill behind what you’re watching. #aviation #avgeek #military #airforce #army #navy #usmc #pilot #pilotlife #flight #flying #fly #aircraft #airplane #plane #jet #airport #photo #photography #video #videoviral #viralvideos #lessonsfromthecockpit #podcast #show #takeoff #drone