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PA28 pilot’s surprise radio call from A380 captain

The Flying Reporter

381,182 views

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The pilot of a San Francisco-bound A380 passenger jet came to my assistance as I flew my tiny PA28 across the Atlantic Ocean from the UK to the USA.

I make inspirational videos about my flying adventures around the UK and Europe. In 2026 I flew my PA28 Piper Turbo Arrow across the Atlantic Ocean from the UK to the USA. Subscribe to my channel for more inspirational flying vlogs and honest post-flight debrief videos.

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#britishairways #atlantic #flight #generalaviation #flying #privatepilot #pilot #atc #aviation #pa28 #flight #debrief #travel #greenland
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Why this is dangerous
01:10 Take off from Reykjavik
02:43 There are no diversion airfields
07:00 Out of VHF range
07:41 British Airways pilot assists
11:14 Low oil temperature
14:15 AOPA members' day - atlantic talk
15:09 Closing in on Greenland
16:36 Final approach
18:23 Landing at Kulusuk gravel runway
19:11 We're blown away!
21:21 Exploring Kulusuk
22:47 4x4 ATV riding
23:33 Dye 4 - cold war radar station
24:57 Kulusuk village
26:53 Falling in love with Greenland

20 Comments

@TheFlyingReporter Creator 1 month ago Pinned

Go to https://hfly.co/zdyu6 and use code FLYINGREPORTER to get 10% off Holafly plans for the first 12 months or 5% off on any other Holfafly eSIM

@DanielRodriguez-ps9fq 4 weeks ago

As an old rescue crewman, I see you are not playing around with survival; that's the way to go. Smart folks with their survival gear in order got rescued alive; the ones who didn't still give me nightmares. Godspeed...

@christiandarbyshire 1 month ago

One of the best GA videos I've ever seen. The production quality is top notch!

@JonathanWinton123 1 month ago

Such a wholesome interaction with the BA A380. Thank you for including it in the video.

@yveaux500 1 month ago

That BA pilot, pure class.

@michaelhope8899 1 month ago

22:40 - my Dad died 3 years ago. I'm a teacher and got a dream first job a few months ago. The first person I wanted to tell is him. Much love and what an incredible video. Well done!

@TheRoverspeed 1 month ago

You guys have balls of steel. I did Heathrow to San Diego last week on a BA 777-300.

The route takes you right over Iceland then Greenland. I couldn't get over the sheer scale and desolation of Greenland is hard to describe.

@dshack4689 3 weeks ago

Truly wonderful video - I watched for the Speedbird radio chat and your emergency preparedness, but stayed for the incredible approach visual; and am deeply moved by your simple wish to make that phone call - my hope is that even without such a call, some how some way your mum knows and is smiling upon you. Godspeed.

@uptake2 1 month ago

Remarkable. Breathtaking. And the bit about forgetting someone has passed in a moment of a desire to tell them something momentous… knocked me for six.. definitely relatable.100%
Best David

@chrisvowell2890 1 month ago (edited)

Wow! Your best video so far. This is definitely the 'real meat' of your Trans-Atlantic journey. I hope you'll issue a complete video at some stage covering your whole trip. It will be a true memento that I'm sure many will watch with envy for years!

@theflyingfool 1 month ago

15:46 it's sad to see how much less ice there is on those mountains than when we flew over in 2004.

I also want to offer my condolences at the passing of your mum too Jon. I hope you have many happy memories of her to sustain you.

@pedromancenithe3rd 3 weeks ago (edited)

Excellent documentary and pretty brave. This was top notch and beautifully filmed. Thank you

@gloriagayer4761 1 month ago

Just when I thought my inner AVgeek couldn't get any geekier, it out AVgeeked itself. Can't WAIT for the next instalment.

@Zarathustra-H- 9 days ago

That landing on Greenland looked like pure butter.

@richardpicking4459 1 month ago (edited)

Thirty odd years ago en-route London to Newcastle. Single engine, cloud down to surface over the north Yorkshire moors and tops to high to clear. Routed below cloud just out to sea but lost radio contact with Teeside or Newcastle. A lovely lady captain of a BA jet relayed messages to get vectors in IMC to Newcastle

@davidrobertson5996 3 weeks ago

What a breath of fresh air your channel is! Having only flown a Warrior by hand once, I can't call myself a pilot, but have loved all things aviation-related since I was a toddler! I've crossed Greenland many times as a passenger in 767s and 787s, usually about 20,000 feet higher than your film. Looks even more amazing at low level! Thanks for an amazing video, just subbed and looking forward to more brilliant content. PS. Loved that the BA Capt actually knew you :-)

@ewythr 5 days ago

My mother flew gliders, light aircraft and was an air traffic controller in the WRAF. She would have loved your work!

@OhGoodonya 15 hours ago

What a magnificent view! Truly beautiful.

@philyew3617 1 month ago

This video popped up in my feed and as a Radio Ham I had to look...... Absolutely stunning John and that Relay was Brilliant to listen to... My thanks to that BA Pilot. What an amazing trip and you are indeed a brave soul. I'm 78y/old now but that landing in Greenland actually brough tears to my eyes.
Well done and Stay Safe... Cheers, Phil in the UK. (M0RRU)

@Floatnride 10 days ago

Wow, what a really cool recorded documentary you're making there. My son is currently studying right now outside for his ratings. He's doing his CPL at the moment. And yeah, I'm finding this stuff super interesting because I've got no idea what he's going through. But looking at your flight planning and all the checks and so forth, it really makes it hit home how much work goes into planning and setting up for a flight like this. Well done, guys.