Ex-Navy Captain Captures High-Altitude Shot Amid 740 km/h Winds
A former Navy officer has captured worldwide attention after sharing dramatic footage that reveals the brutal force of high-altitude winds. Captain Navtej Singh posted a video on Instagram showing himself holding a camera at the open doorway of a helicopter while fighting gusts reaching an estimated 740 kmph.
The aircraft was flying between 10,000 and 20,000 feet above sea level during the shoot. The video shows Singh bracing himself at the edge of the helicopter as it cuts through the sky. The powerful wind distorts his face, pushing back his cheeks, fluttering his lips, and narrowing his eyes. His skin appears to ripple under the pressure of the violent air currents that slam into him at extreme speed and temperature.
“The wind doesn’t just touch you, it slams into your face, making your skin ripple, your muscles twist, and your eyes stretch and blur,” Singh wrote in the caption of his post. His description mirrors the intense conditions reflected in the footage, which has since gone viral.
Singh explained that the helicopter was flying without cabin pressure, a technique used in military operations for aerial photography, surveillance, and rescue missions. The moment the door opened, he found himself battling for balance and stability as the fierce wind engulfed him. He was secured only by a seat belt and a rope while trying to take a clear photograph in the split seconds available.
“Breathing becomes hard, thinking becomes harder, and every part of your body wants to pull away, but your finger has to stay steady,” he said. Singh added that the challenge was not only physical but also mental as he had to focus on framing the perfect shot while his body fought the extreme environment.
He wrote that even with the roar of the wind, the intense cold, and the constant shaking, he had to locate his frame and focus long enough to capture the image he needed. “But that’s the only moment you have, and the world below won’t wait. The wind tries to push you back, but the shot pulls you forward,” he wrote, describing the determination required to work under such harsh conditions.
Captain Singh retired after 32 years of service in the Navy, much of it spent in demanding and high-risk environments. His passion for photography began nearly a decade ago when he picked up a Nikon D60, and he has continued to document his experiences ever since. His latest video stands as a striking reminder of the extreme challenges behind aerial photography and the dedication required to capture moments from the skies.
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