Cathay Pacific boeing 777 low pass

The South China Sunday Morning Post reports veteran pilot Ian Wilkinson was piloting a new Boeing 777-300ER from Paine Field, near Boeing's plant at Everett, Washington, to its new home in Hong Kong when he reportedly came around and did a low pass.



And we mean low. Witnesses say the new Cathay Pacific widebody airliner (shown above) overflew the runway at just 28 feet, gear up, at around 275-knots.

Wilkinson -- who is 55 years old and nearing retirement -- has since been fired by the airline, reportedly for doing the stunt without company approval.

The case has become controversial with industry bloggers, who say the practice is not uncommon, and note that 30 company VIPs were onboard, including the company chairman. Wilkinson reportedly did get approval for the fly-by from the Paine tower.

Apparently, Cathay Pacific big-wigs toasted Wilkinson when he reached Hong Kong following the flight last month, but their attitude changed when video of the fly-by wound up on YouTube. That video is rumored to have been purchased by the airline from its owner, resulting in its prompt removal from the web.

Wilkinson is reportedly considering an appeal

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• pacific
• low
• pass
• flyby
• boeing
• 777
• wilkinson
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[wilky0123]

:D my name is ian wilkinson :D

[gnarkillkicksass]

It wasn't his last flight for Cathay and he was the 777 Fleet Commander, not Chief Pilot.

[curseknight5]

some needs a book called how to fly a plane for dummies RAWR!!!!!!!!!!!!

[allenkukucka]

250KIAS is the limit below 10000 Feet MSL. However, this aircraft was operating in terminal airspace that would have further limited airspeed to 200KIAS (230MPH). If an aircraft cannot be operated below the maximum legal airspeed, then the pilot has a moral and legal responsibility to operate the aircraft at the minimum safe airspeed.

[americonium]

Um, I wouldn't enjoy that at all. It's bad enough when PAPD does their close quarters fly by in the helecopter.

[HanzPrague]

whats more..he call himself a captain and head pilot of Cathay..and this was his last flight for them.

[AmonAmarthRRocks]

hahah!!! IDIOT! and he call himself a pilot!

[NELHAOTEC]

I can only imagine a Top Gun style fly by of the ATC tower at JFK...priceless.

[david22585]

Well I guess that we have been breaking the law. ATC CAN disregard the 250 below 10 depending on traffic and aircraft if it poses a safety hazard.

[positiveclimb]

ATC CAN NOT override this limit, period. Check your regulations. Only the FAA Administrator can override the limit.