A KLM pilot captured the incredible moment from the cockpit as a Falcon rocket was launched into space from Florida.
The flight in question was KL627 on January 15, 2023, operated by an Airbus A330 registered PHAKF, departing Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at 4:10 p.m. local time for the tenhour journey to Miami. The flight was scheduled to land in Florida in the early evening.
In his LinkedIN feed, pilot Vincent Hoekveld states that before leaving Amsterdam, the crew was informed by a NOTAM (Notice from Air Missions) that the launch was scheduled and could take place around the same time as the flight. 627 would be in the area.
In addition, air traffic controllers kept the flight crew informed as they crossed the ocean towards the Florida coast.
In what the pilot describes as “a picture of his life,” he captured a 25second video of the Falcon 9 rocket accelerating toward orbit at the last moment of the midstage burner. This process was followed by the stage separation and burning of the second stage, propelling the rocket to its final destination.
If you look closely, you can also see the separation of the two sidemounted engines early in the sequence, falling back toward Kennedy Space Center, where some time later they make a perfect double landing. See above (waiting to load) the moment the pilot captured.
Fascinated by aircraft since 1999, he received his aerospace degree from Cal State Long Beach and Western Michigan University. He is currently EditorinChief at AEROIN, aircraft pilot, member of AOPA, with experience at Avianca Brasil. #GoBronco’s #GoBeach #2A