There has been a United Airlines video in circulation for some time that shows a car getting blown off the road it’s driving on due to the jetblast of a stationary aircraft. Users of aviation forums the world over, armchair enthusiasts and pilots from all walks of life have long debated the realism of such a situation with many insisting that operators have always exaggerated the effects of jetblast for the purpose of ensuring safety. Other pilots have argued that videos such as the one below have actually understated the potential effects of a jetblast. Many insist that the United Airlines video is a fake or animation – when in actual fact it was the world’s first real jetblast demonstration!
The following videos demonstrate how much damage thousands of pounds of engine thrust can actually cause. Top Gear busted the “myth” initially… and then Mythbusters staged their own costly exhibition (validation) a few years later. Even though large amounts of power are used for both the Mythbusters and Top Gear demos, even idle thrust would be enough to cause havoc to freight trains, baggage handlers and other airside workers if they infringed on the business end of a jet burner!
Lighter general aviation aircraft should be particularly mindful of aircraft near converging taxiways or runways since aircraft will turn through a greater arc (often using more thrust in a turn).
Now all we need to do is get Mythbusters to validate the scene from the movie ‘Pushing Tin’ where John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton bounce around in the wake turbulence of landing 747!! If you haven’t seen it, I’ve attached a small snip of the movie below.
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