Who is the Saudi pilot who fought Storm Bert?

Arab Weather - In an exceptional scene that caught the world's attention, Saudi pilot Mohammed Al Shaiban succeeded in landing with great skill at Gatwick Airport in London, despite the stormy weather conditions that accompanied Storm "Bert" sweeping Britain during the past few days.

Complex challenges and exceptional circumstances during Storm Bert

Captain Al Shaiban explained in his statement to the media that the landing was very complicated due to heavy rain and strong winds that reached speeds of 75 km/h. He pointed out that these side winds led to the cancellation of several flights and diversion of some to alternative airports, which increased the difficulty of the mission.

Major challenges during landing

1. Sudden Wind Changes: Dealing with rapid changes that affect the stability of the aircraft.
2. Landing Accuracy: Ensures that the aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and in the designated landing area.
3. Safety: Maintaining the stability of the aircraft within safe limits.

Landing plan

1. Al-Shaiban relied on a precise plan that included:
2. Aircraft weight: Ensure that the weight is appropriate for a safe landing.
3. Coordinate with the control tower: to get continuous updates on the weather.
4. Manual control: On final approach, the autopilot disconnected due to wind force and took over manually to ensure accuracy and stability of the aircraft during landing.

A Saudi pilot steals the show by landing in #London during Storm "Bert" that swept #Britain today @m7md_shaiban pic.twitter.com/HolxmUF9nI

— Saudi Arabia (@AlArabiya_KSA) November 23, 2024

Dealing with storms

Al-Shaiban stressed that landing in storm conditions requires:

1. Thorough review of weather reports before the trip.
2. Develop contingency plans that include identifying alternative airports.
3. Continuous update of weather conditions during the flight.
4. Coordinate with co-pilot to discuss possible scenarios.

He pointed out that clear warnings of Storm Bert were included in the flight plan, with additional preparations to deal with any emergency.

Passenger feedback

After the successful landing, passengers expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the smooth flight despite the harsh conditions, while his colleagues praised the professionalism he showed in handling the situation. Al Shaiban stressed that his main priority is everyone’s safety, noting that praise is a beautiful part of the experience, but it is not the main goal.

Previous experience enhances expertise

Al Shaiban concluded his talk by noting that he had faced more difficult conditions at other airports, where heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms were part of the challenges. These previous experiences helped boost his confidence and focus, emphasizing the importance of navigation systems and weather radars in providing accurate information that enhances performance and ensures safety.

Saudi pilot Mohammed Al Shaiban once again proves his high efficiency in facing the most difficult weather conditions, embodying an honorable image of the professionalism of Saudi pilots.

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Watch: The moment a Saudi plane lands during a severe storm at an airport in Britain