Views from the cockpit: pilot's incredible shots of storms and night skies

Amazing Aviation cockpit photography
The Northern Lights lights up the cockpit Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

Forget bird’s eye view: pilot’s eye view is where the money is.

A series of remarkable photos taken of the heavens by senior first officer pilot Christiaan van Heijst and his friend, Daan Krans, has revealed what is like to have the best seat in the house when thunderstorms roll in across the horizon or the Northern Lights appear overhead.

Lightning strikes illuminating a storm cloud between Beijing and Shanghai
Lightning strikes illuminating a storm cloud between Beijing and Shanghai Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

Together, the pair run Amazing Aviation, which specialises in awesome aerial photography.

As you can see below, their photos include science fiction-like views from off the control panel, glorious vistas of the aurora borealis and staggering shots of mid-air thunder storms.

Pilots get glorious views of the Northern Lights
Pilots get glorious views of the Northern Lights Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

While van Heijst has been a pilot for ten years, “his camera always within reach”, and Krans works as a dispatcher at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.

Van Heijst told the Mail: “When viewing a big storm of Northern Lights or an active thunderstorm I feel very small and insignificant, compared to the raw energy, beauty and size that plays out in front of me.

Galaxies also make an appearance
Galaxies also make an appearance Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

“The Northern Lights, with its massive strings of coloured light, starting high above the airplane and extending 500km (310 miles) into space, each dancing, vibrating and so fast and furious, is almost impossible to photograph properly.”

That would explain some of the slightly trippy results from the Dutch man’s photography.

Lights in the night sky play tricks on the camera
Lights in the night sky play tricks on the camera Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

“Ever since I started my first job as a pilot, I felt the need to capture the atmosphere of the unique views that I had from the cockpit,” he said.

Lightning streaks across the cockpit window
Lightning streaks across the cockpit window Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

“My colleagues were very supportive since they could now show their loved ones at home what our job was like from the cockpit.

amazing aviation photography
The photos might act as an inspiration to anyone who fancies being a pilot Credit: Christiaan van Heijst/Daan Krans/Caters News

“I know very well that trying to take a perfect picture is an eternal and fruitless goal, but I do my best and allow my viewers the sometimes jaw-dropping views that I share with them.”

amazing aviation photgraphy
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