On: British Airways Flight 5390

[FartyMcFarter]

Probably an optical illusion? I don't think a plane can hover over a fixed point, unless the headwinds are strong hurricane force or something.

With very strong headwind, a normal plane could theoretically land vertically, or even backwards. I wouldn't recommend it though.

[ceejayoz → FartyMcFarter]

Can’t do it with a 747, but with a lightweight bush plane and a steady wind you can. https://youtu.be/QFllgHbjnlU

[soneil → ceejayoz]

Yes - "hovering" in a fixed-wing is very much possible, and even desirable for STOL landings (very popular & competitive in the Alaskan bush scene).

It's still very much an observer-effect illusion however. The observer considers the speed in terms of groundspeed, the physics consider the speed in terms of airspeed. If the difference between the two values exceeds the stall speed of the airframe, the effect is sustainable.