Flying a plane with fireworks on the wings

Aerosparx are a British aerobatics team that perform displays with fireworks attached to their wings. This is how they do it.
More about Aerosparx: www.aerosparx.com/
Camera by Grant Stevens www.moonshineproductions.co.uk/
Ground display camera by Adam Landau
Edited by Michelle Martin / @onthecrux
Audio mix by Graham Haerther haerther.net
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[@TomScottGo]

In total, we had twelve cameras running during the flight, and generated half a terabyte of footage. Special thanks to camera op Grant who successfully tracked the plane I was in, while pointing his camera backwards, while in a 4g loop.

[@snailmanfan]

@@luchthonn the video was unlisted or private for a bit

[@candykanefpv98]

I hope you also had someone taking some bad-ass long exposures during it.

[@Jeagles]

This wasn’t above Croyde, Devon was it?

[@1ssac1]

These test were in UK or in PL?

[@rupert7565]

Poor Matt

[@Viniter]

I imagine some poor bureaucrat having to deal with this: "So let me get this straight, you want to take a bunch of airplanes, strap explosives to them and fly them dangerously close above paying customers?" "Yes, preferably at night."

[@paulsengupta971]

*thumbs through regulations* "Well, I can't see....there's nothing....nope....nothing specifically prohibiting it here, I guess you're good to go."

[@Zwodo]

Also we'll be flying within 3-5 meters of each other if that's no problem for you?

[@wmeuse2375]

Do you want a law named after you this is how you get a law named after you.

[@deephorizon1365]

@@wmeuse2375 HAHAHA

[@laa0fa502]

Never heard the words "poor" and "bureaucrat" together before

[@colinfurze]

I feel I need to get involved........ but they keep doing some sort of safety checks and “planning” is it called........hmmmm.

[@roscoebaram681]

How does only have 3 likes and 1 reply

[@Seanire101]

Yes

[@zapfanzapfan]

And serve hamburgers out the side while you are at it ;-)

[@caromac_]

@@zapfanzapfan That's a throwback.

[@hipeopleidkwhatisgoingon]

:o COLIN

[@saleplains]

i love how the "bumblebee dance" looks so dorky and silly then you remember these guys really do these maneuvers in real gliders while fireworks shoot out of the plane

[@error.418]

It's funny they call it a "bumblebee dance." In skydiving we call it "dirt diving."

[@clockworkkirlia7475]

@@error.418 It's a really good name, because bumblebees do really "waggle dance" to plot flightplans towards cool stuff they found. Well, food, specifically. Dirt diving also sounds cool though; are you literally just lying down for parts of it?

[@error.418]

@@clockworkkirlia7475 In some cases, but usually we are standing and miming as if we are belly-to-earth, or head-down, etc. We also have a device called a "creeper" which is a small platform on low wheels that we can lie on and wheel around as if belly-to-earth in the sky.

[@clockworkkirlia7475]

@@error.418 Ooo, thanks! I'm sure there are *never* any shenanigans with the creeper.

[@error.418]

@@clockworkkirlia7475 Hah hah, none at all. No one has ever rolled over their finger, nope.

[@fireaza]

"Fireworks being launched from planes? That's... **confusedly thumbs though regulations book** Probably illegal..?" -The Authorities

[@Ihyabond009]

*Outstanding move*, but _hey, That's illegal_

[@JasperJanssen]

“Wait... I don’t think we ever bothered to make this illegal?”

[@nanianmichaels]

@@JasperJanssen To be fair, they probably didn't think anyone would be crazy enough to actually do it :P

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

@@JasperJanssen And total ban in t-minus 10...9...8...7...

[@Opalium]

"You guys are probably breaking dozens of regulations with your project here and should technically be banned from ever flying again... But holy crap this is too cool to ban." -Authorities, hopefully?

[@matthewworthington767]

"hi we attach pyrotechnics to our planes do you wanna come for a test ride?" "Y E S"

[@johnward654]

Matthew Worthington no

[@OrangeC7]

E X C U S E M E B U T O F C O U R S E

[@philipmelavila4639]

Well yes but actually yes

[@Wilipeidia]

Depends if it's late world war 2 Japanese pilots or not. . . Otherwise you always answer yes.

[@pluto8404]

>"hi we attach pyrotechnics to our plane do you wanna come for a test ride?" >"Y E S" >"cool, lets go... allahu akbar" >😳

[@candykanefpv98]

This sure seems like fun for long exposure photography!

[@Len923_]

I need this. 360 degrees long-exposure camera watching the entire thing.

[@candykanefpv98]

@@Len923_ 360 degrees 😂 no... just... no. There's so much that would be missed by using a 360 degree camera.

[@rjrfletcher2355]

Another form of Painting with light !

[@MorgurEdits]

Go to their website and you will see exactly that! Its amazing! ;)

[@mukrifachri]

@@candykanefpv98 360 isn't bad when you know where things is. I'm thinking something like what Tom's doing anyway (panning in post).

[@sedawk]

Didn’t pass out in the 4g loop - nice. Looks like Tom’s g-force tolerance is improving.

[@HughNeutron]

Corsair, you can't just keep adding RGB lights to everything! Corsair: you like planes?

[@davidbailey8170]

Don't show linus.

[@Kittsuera]

and now its Cors Air

[@diamondflaw]

"And now we're going to turn the engine off" "Okay... sure...."

[@lukak1774]

I don't know why people seem to think normal planes will just drop like rocks whenever the engine is off. They're in a glider, not a fast jet.

[@axirnindar4171]

It a hybrid prop/RGB

[@TestarossaF110]

They have RGB... they dont even need that engine!

[@christalbot210]

Engines?! We don't need no stinking engines! :-)

[@Volk1880]

@@christalbot210 Badges?! We don't need no stinking badges! I hope you get the reference if I think you took it from the same place :P

[@ZachHixsonTutorials]

This seems like the ultimate "I can't believe this is my job," type jobs :)

[@pikipiki8725]

no no no Tom has the Ultimate "I can't believe this is my job"

[@ZachHixsonTutorials]

@@pikipiki8725 I stand corrected

[@buddyltd]

"What we are going to do is turn the engine off. And now it's a glider." *"OH. SURE."*

[@robertmacfarlane2358]

Touring motor glider to be precise

[@achunkofbutter]

4:48 He's like a child actor in a Christmas movie.

[@Seff2]

omg so accurate :D

[@R4V3-0N]

Fireworks... on planes? That never came to my mind but now you got me interested.

[@jadefalcon001]

"Things you never knew existed but now can't live without!"

[@daddymememaster5432]

How about fireworks and lasers on planes combined?

[@Appletank8]

look up melbourne airport pyrotechnic airshow

[@emcee2k965]

It's weird. I never though of it, yet now it seems so obvious.

[@LuLost]

I saw them flying. It has to be pointed that they also have great playlist chosen to the show. Music absolutely perfect to the speed and style they present in air.

[@StrangeParts]

What a lovely video, Tom! Such incredible broll.

[@AL_O0]

And now we have rgb aeroplanes

[@hebl47]

I blame LTT for this!

[@OrangeC7]

@@hebl47 It's their fault for bringing this blessed invention to us

[@jadefalcon001]

You know they'll have gone high-volume when they switch to CMYK offset. Printer's joke.

[@tpmiranda]

@@jadefalcon001 The black ain't dark enough... 60 40 40 100?

[@richardmillhousenixon]

As we all know, RGB lighting makes everything run twice as fast. Especially if it's red, then it goes 4x as fast

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

3:33 "How can they do this safely?" That is exactly what I asked also.

[@EladLerner]

*crazy laughter in the background*

[@jubaerjami]

*LOOP* *NOW*

[@seanclark3559]

Oh hey its you

[@cirogarcia8958]

That last take is awesome. Tom and the pilot speaking like its nothing while they gracefully fall down to earth inside a thin aluminium can, hundreds of feet above the ground, with the sun almost set. Just the thought of being sat down with someone high in the air, with nothing keeping you in place, with no force being applied to you other than gravity is amazing. I love gliders

[@deadlymelody27]

I love the smiles on their faces as they do the bumblebee dance. Just working out the choreography for the plane dance. This is epic and i would love to see them perform

[@LupusSapien]

The bee dance is by far my favorite part of this. You can tell they feel just a bit silly, but it WORKS.

[@aronlau8327]

3:30 That looks like a scene you would find in Interstellar. Magnificent.

[@Persephone_]

I thought so too! 3:46 especially

[@JPAnor]

Aron Lau ikr, atleast some talk about thise shots. They were stunning

[@thecrazything95]

Throwback to the Technical Difficulties episode with the mention of how there can't be such a thing as a powered glider. Granted this is not cat-powered, but it is powered!

[@rr.studios]

New subscriber here. Which vid is that

[@thelastcube.]

@@rr.studios If you're new around here and you like dry British humour, boy you're in for a treat Just search up "Matt and Tom" and go to techdiff ep 1

[@JohnyG29]

Yes there is. It's a glider when they turn the engine off.

[@umgubularslashkilter9272]

@@rr.studios im gonna do you a favour, because not all watch the bonus footage

[@PabloGonzalez-hv3td]

Gliding is just unpowered wingborne flight and anything with an engine becomes a glider when the power is off some just glide better than others

[@chashubaothepomeranian7059]

Camera guy: "How dangerous do you want it?" Tom: "Yes"

[@truefiasco2637]

imagine "how can they do this safely?" being your last words lmao.

[@Blox117]

"safely? hahahahha heh, we asked you to come with us so we could kill you" *rams planes together*

[@li_tsz_fung]

"We spend millions pounds every month to train the best pilots and to buy the fanciest planes (so that we still have people in our company even when crashes happens in every show)

[@WillVC]

I thought this was a Colin Furze video.

[@sethrothz]

For 10 mil subs this is definitely what he's gonna do

[@bob_._.]

@@sethrothz Only if they get another 1000 planes. Two guys just ain't gonna cut it.

[@Colopty]

@@bob_._. Dude's going to cover a commercial airliner with fireworks for sure.

[@cholten99]

@@Colopty That'll need a specially reinforced safety tie!

[@stevenohenries5127]

Literally same 😂😂 I thought this was his 10 million subs video

[@carlosserranosaez7467]

Me: It's 2am I should go to sleep KZbin: A plane, fireworks on the wings Me: I'm interested

[@ycrep1993]

5:30am + drunk Same story Laughing too hard Give me this job tho

[@NeonTiger]

Absolutely incredible, I can't even imagine how much regulatory back-and-forth these folks deal with (likely in this case for good reason hahaha) It's actually unbelievable that they've found a way to do this legally but I'm so glad they did, this looks amazing on video and I'm sure it looks stunning from the ground as well!

[@Peds013]

This is the same type of aircraft (vigilant) as the air cadets in the UK learnt to fly for many years. I have so many great memories of these and they responsible for many of our RAF serviceman's love of flying and career choices!

[@CptPatch]

The bee dance planning was straight up adorable. This is what peak teamwork looks like.

[@MarkPentler]

I love that they're using the same cadance as Red 1 when doing callouts

[@LT_Foxfyre]

I got to see the Aerosparx display team at the Abingdon Summer Fireworks Festival a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely amazing display.

[@JesusJuenger]

When Merry & Pippin set off Gandalf's giant dragon firework.

[@techfin6145]

Having flown this aircraft, This is extra-special.

[@clockworkkirlia7475]

I am so very envious, whether you mean just the motorglider or these specific ones.

[@1dgram]

Reminds me of that amazing fireworks show at AirVenture Oshkosh last month. Awesome stuff!

[@alatchford]

Had the opportunity to nightshoot the Aerosparx at the last Abingdon Air & Country Show

[@tttITA10]

5:16 - By the video, I couldn't agree more! When you are flying next to fireworks they look flipping fantastic!

[@WightKnight]

I'd love to capture a long exposure of the entire display in one image, just to see what they do paint

[@jurgennicht4626]

I assume it's to be understood more like in dancing: The tricks fit each other, instead of doing extra cool stunts that stand only by themselves. I'd be surprised if they were really flying borderlines that form an image, because it would be invisible to the primary audience.

[@lachlankeddie7]

That thumbnail tho. 😍 Looks like a slick poster for an '80s action movie!

[@redosprey1334]

I have seen them twice in Belgium and the show is amazing to see.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

"I've got an idea..... ....... fireworks, planes.....oh, and no engine"

[@PabloGonzalez-hv3td]

It's a motor glider it's meant to fly well with the engine off and the long wings are part of what makes it ideal to attach fireworks away from the cockpit as mentioned by the pilot

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

@@PabloGonzalez-hv3td Yes, I'm fully aware of that, thanks - it was an attempt at humour.

[@namvu2362]

I always knew that one day I'd get to see my gliding instructor on a Tom Scott video!

[@pierre-jean-jacques3050]

Than you! The night show at Oshkosh always amazes me. I've always wanted to get a closeup view of this and know how it's done.

[@karolkozik5918]

I knew you were going to post an airplane video after you changed your banner photo. You did not dissapoint. That's one great 200th video special.

[@REA.Design.Studio]

i thought toms job was amazing, but this guy is on another level.

[@TimmiTification]

I flew in a very similar type of plane called a vigilante with the RAF at RAF Henlow about twenty years ago. It was also a side by side cockpit and my instructor also turned off the engine so we would glide. The only time in my life I felt free, highly recommended. ✌️

[@Ghostrider-rq4ms]

The Vigilant is the Grob 109, so it's the same model

[@TimmiTification]

@@Ghostrider-rq4ms Well thanks for that little titbit of information!

[@kapilbusawah7169]

That cinematography is amazing. Kudos to the camera team!

[@redmed10]

That view of the fireworks from inside the plane is stunning.

[@demonbunnny]

I saw aerosparx last year. They were phenomenonal. You're SO lucky to have been offered that experience.

[@OwenStaton1]

"Once you've seen one fireworks display you've seen then all." *Aerosparxs walks in

[@brianmoreira7578]

WOW!! One of the most incredible things I've ever seen! So much fun to watch haha, awesome.

[@mrwensveen]

The bumblebee dance is such an ingenious idea. Never would have thought of that.

[@jordanwright853]

The caption read like a Colin Furze video, I half expected to see him being the one shimmying down the wing to light them 😂

[@Kae6502]

At EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh they have a nighttime airshow followed by some of the best fireworks I've seen. I'd love to see these gentlemen perform there!

[@paulsengupta971]

Not to mention the wall of fire....

[@Jk-cx7ko]

The Grob 109b is such a nice Motorglider! We have one at my local flight club and it is so nice to fly!

[@robertlinke2666]

i am quite the aviation nutter, and this is AMAZING. i wanna do this. i mean sure, it requires years of training, and complete trust in your wingman, but hell, that was smooth as butter, and it looks amazing

[@jacobshaw808]

4:10 reminds me of the scene from "Step Brothers" where they're sleep walking in the kitchen!

[@trainboyben7718]

Toms next video : how an F35 lands on a carrier ft Royal Navy and royal airforce

[@danodden9783]

Reminds me of that video with "Plane shooting LASERS at the crowd" in the title.

[@anatoleh1]

Tom Scott: Airplane with fireworks on its wings Colin Furze: Hold my JET TURBINE

[@GabeStrenke]

Even as a "test run" that was super cool to see. Any tight formation flying is cool, but adding fireworks, that's next level! Now I gotta look up one of their actual shows.

[@LavenderAudio]

Breathtaking. I need to go to a display.

[@timw1971]

I'll bet a long exposure still photo from a tripod on the ground of that display would be awsome!

[@callummcd3983]

This was amazing, never seen these guys before and never even thought of fireworks on a plane.

[@preferredimage]

I was lucky enough some years ago to see a aviation fireworks show at Oshkosh air show. Unbelievable stuff!

[@WhiteWulfe]

I'm guessing Ken Fowler of Rocket Aerobatics?

[@preferredimage]

@@WhiteWulfe I honestly don't know who it was but I can't think there's many out there doing this. It was pre-2001 as rules and regs were very relaxed (as a non-pilot I flew stunts in a pitts special!)

[@slaughterround643]

I've flown these planes in Air Cadets back a good few years ago now - they never let us bring fireworks up, though!

[@mememaster147]

Me too, back in 1998. I still hate all the adverse yaw they had, especially in comparison to the Slingsby Firefly that we got to ride in for AEF before they were phased out.

[@hermand]

@@mememaster147 Whoa whoa whoa - you got a Firefly? I was around in '98 and we had Bulldogs, and then the Tutor. By sheer coincidence, I did eventually learn to fly in the G115

[@paulsengupta971]

I bought one of the Bulldogs when they retired them in 2001. :-)

[@MrMIIMARIO]

Probably best viewed on the biggest screen possible to enjoy this amazing footage! Great job putting those fireworks in frame.

[@stevieklaer9347]

The thumbnail looks exactly like the box art of a model airplane.

[@Andrew-ch1uh]

I'm back to school I'd prefer to watch this all day pls

[@jackroutledge352]

I have three questions: 1. Who on earth is insuring these people? 2. What are they smoking? 3. Can I have some please?

[@jsd4574]

1. Someone with a lot of money 2. Probably rolled up bank notes 3. Sure, go win the lottery :)

[@gustavhl7684]

If you go to their website, they are partnered with Sydney Charles Aviation Insurance Brokers, and have their branding on the planes as well, so I imagine that answers question 1.

[@Valery0p5]

Sulphur. Lot of sulphur smoke should get inside that cabin...

[@philipwhiuk]

​@@jsd4574 Nah. All the insurance company needs to be is good at working out risk. And actually the risk here isn't huge. The gliders are tiny, the fireworks are tiny, the pilots flying are both liable and the main risk.

[@srpacific]

Valery0p 5 would it? I mean, the plane is traveling through the air ahead of all the smoke

[@kuryamtl]

Poor Tom Scott freaking out. That was amazing. Thank you for sharing this!

[@chloeellis1246]

Saw these guys at the Herne Bay airshow, it was amazing!

[@bencarter96]

Fancy seeing the Grob vigilant here, it's what I did my flying scholarship with the air cadets in, never thought I'd see one on fire 😂

[@tjwookie]

these guys are amazing, seen them a few times in Bournemouth air show, fantastic stuff!!

[@sethisir290]

Regardless of how dangerous the idea seems, the view is magnificent.

[@alolanstarboy]

The thumbnail and shots like the one at 4:44 look so bloody cool, this was an amazing one tbh

[@bombardier6033]

6:07 the equivalent of saying "Look, mom, no legs!" while riding your bike as a kid

[@QuantumLeclerc]

Ever fly them about pretending to dogfight and using firework rockets as missiles?

[@beruman]

I also thought this is as close as a civilian will get to firing stuff in a fighter plane.

[@bruno_semi]

Too risky, i guess

[@aliensinnoh1]

Seems more like anti-targeting flares to me.

[@vaclav_fejt]

I already had the various Battle of Britain music in my head, to be honest.

[@Jedi-J2]

That does raise the question, what's the difference between a firework and a missile? (Ya know, besides payload. And even then...)

[@DanielSadjadian]

3:31 Should be the video thumbnail, incredible footage 👍🔥

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

This is amazing. What a wow factor. Thanks to everyone involved

[@HotelPapa100]

You know, that fan up front is there to cool the pilot. If you don't believe, just watch a GA pilot start sweating when you turn it off... Glider pilots are cool all by themselves. They don't need such gimmicks. It's always fun seeing Tom going slightly green in the face as soon as 3d movement is involved...

[@shadowscall7758]

Its the same principle as computer cases are meant to keep the magic smoke inside and unseen. I mean, just watch, as soon as smoke starts coming out of the case, things start go wrong.

[@pofjiosgjsoges]

I saw you two days ago in Gdynia! A great show!

[@scambroselauntrellus3681]

I'm so proud of humanity for its technological innovations made solely for the purpose of entertainment.

[@henke37]

Haven't seen Tom be this happy in well, forever.

[@pirat87pl]

I just saw these guys this weekend at the Aerobaltic in Gdynia! That's some timing Tom. The show is absolutely AMAZING btw.

[@99Duds]

Tom you sure do seem to have a lot of fun in your videos, makes me wish I was there.

[@KentRailPhotography]

Remember seeing Aerosparx at the Herne Bay Air Show a few years ago! Amazing video on it!

[@utbdoug]

Snapping up those ex-RAF Grob 109s! Nice and simple to fly. Grob is such an underrated aircraft manufacturer!

[@applesnipe]

I'm a big festival lover from the netherlands and would love to see this on a big dutch festival, Because we had planes before and fireworks but why not combine both :D

[@itscfox]

This is a very fitting 200th thing you might not know.

[@nbrowser]

This, this was freakin AWESOME! Thanks for the brilliant light show Tom!

[@DobDob]

cant believe I've never heard of these guys before, looks awesome. Hope I can see a display someday

[@TristanPopken]

3:27 The moment when a Mk2 griefer comes up to you and you start spamming flares

[@DannyRice01]

Wish the buzzard could have flares

[@CyberCactus]

My guy please use chaff, the MK2 will bully you if you don't

[@MrPecksniff]

It's like watching a calmer version of Colin Furze 🔥

[@OblivionFalls]

4:10 The bois gearing up to defeat Israfel over here

[@Rcmodelgeeks]

Always nice to see Guy in the sky!

[@HammaneggsAirborne]

When I read the title I was expecting something of an entirely different aesthetic. I was imaginging something that would fit with metal music, and instead got the impression of utterly carefree delight.

[@scrotex6592]

i LOVE the dance they do before they take off... its so goofy but i bet it works great for memorization!!!!

[@tomm.ymacleod9347]

The combination between wonder and fear in Tom’s face is priceless.

[@adeleloffler534]

3:31 what a sight, what a shot.

[@GoldSrc_]

3:38 *Interstellar docking soundtrack intensifies*