Viral YouTube video of plane-to-plane AirDrop bogus, deleted by author

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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in iPhone
A viral video allegedly depicting a pilot sending a photo of another plane a long-distance AirDrop has been refuted by the recipient's airline, and has been deleted.




Frequent YouTube poster LouB747 posted the video on Aug. 3. The video depicted him in the pilot seat communicating from 35,000 feet, with the other Singapore Airlines plane at 36,000 feet in close proximity.

The Singapore Airlines pilot denied that the AirDrop happened, though.

"Our pilot was only replying in jest to the radio message from the captain of the other flight," the airline told IBTimes UK. "Photos were exchanged by email later, however."

The video has since been deleted by the author.

AppleInsider noted that the video couldn't be authenticated on Friday, but confirmed the possibility of it with a naval aviator.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 23
    imergingeniousimergingenious Posts: 267member
    In other news, employee gets in trouble for getting caught on video doing something against company policy; claims it's a misunderstanding and never happened.
    lolliver
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 23
    Solisoli Posts: 10,038member
    Maybe AI should test this at the stated altitudes. How much can it cost to rent a couple planes for the day? :wink: 
    dacharlolliver
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 23
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    You mean there's fake tech news too?
    fotoformat
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 23
    indiekidukindiekiduk Posts: 392member
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 23
    Solisoli Posts: 10,038member
    indiekiduk said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    lolliver
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 23
    chabigchabig Posts: 641member
    Soli said:
    indiekiduk said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 23
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,034administrator
    Soli said:
    indiekiduk said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Okay, so: the math on it using the Friis Transmission Equation works out even with low-power signals like the bluetooth radio and wi-fi. Attenuation by water vapor is assumed by Friis to be at sea-level, and it's not the same at altitude -- it's a lot lower.

    So, in true Mythbusters fashion, it's plausible that it works -- just not confirmed by this particular video.

    Plus, the naval aviator we asked if it was possible? I've known him for 23 years.
    Solialmondrocalolliver
     0Likes 0Dislikes 3Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 23
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,034administrator

    Soli said:
    Maybe AI should test this at the stated altitudes. How much can it cost to rent a couple planes for the day? :wink: 
    I'm on board, literally and figuratively. Let's fire up an indiegogo!
    SoliEsquireCatslolliver
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 23
    Solisoli Posts: 10,038member
    Mike Wuerthele said:

    Soli said:
    Maybe AI should test this at the stated altitudes. How much can it cost to rent a couple planes for the day? :wink: 
    I'm on board, literally and figuratively. Let's fire up an indiegogo!
    I’ll donate.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 23
    Solisoli Posts: 10,038member
    chabig said:
    Soli said:
    indiekiduk said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
    1) Why do you say it’s beyond BT’s range?

    2) Why can’t someone name their iPhone “SingTriple7”?
    lolliver
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 23
    NY1822ny1822 Posts: 621member
    sounds like he covering his **s to me. Just bc he broke possibly broke some internal rules and is now claiming publicly it never happened, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

    Think about the timeline of events how this was denied:
    1) video goes viral
    2) media contacts commercial airline
    3) commercial airline top brass internal conversation "Um, this may not be a good look for us, there may be some liability involved now or in future if our pilots start engaging in this behavior"
    4) Public statement "it never happened"
    edited August 2017
    lolliver
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 23
    RKMStudiosrkmstudios Posts: 1unconfirmed, member
    chabig said:
    Soli said:
    indiekiduk said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
    Do we know it was an iPhone and not the cockpit iPads that Singapore Airlines might provide?   It seems the only thing saying that this video is bogus is the article.  Was there some proof provided that the footage wasn't real?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 23
    maestro64maestro64 Posts: 5,043member
    In other news, employee gets in trouble for getting caught on video doing something against company policy; claims it's a misunderstanding and never happened.


    This reminds me of a picture someone took of Flight Attendant standing in the opening of the non-running jet engineer. The person who took the picture complained to the airline and the airline said it was against company policy for anyone to be doing that other than a mechanic. Turned out later this was a long standing tradition in the airlines for new pilots and attendant to stand in the engine to get their pictures taken. The issue was they were seen by a passenger that person complained about safety issues.

     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 23
    SpamSandwichspamsandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Boom.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 23
    StrangeDaysstrangedays Posts: 13,171member
    chabig said:
    Soli said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
    Do we know it was an iPhone and not the cockpit iPads that Singapore Airlines might provide?   It seems the only thing saying that this video is bogus is the article.  Was there some proof provided that the footage wasn't real?
    A screen grab from the video shows his phone is in airplane mode, no AD would be possible. 

    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/real-fake-viral-video-claims-pilot-sent-photos-via-airdrop-singapore-airlines-jet-35000ft-1633552
    edited August 2017
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 16 of 23
    Solisoli Posts: 10,038member
    StrangeDays said:
    chabig said:
    Soli said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
    Do we know it was an iPhone and not the cockpit iPads that Singapore Airlines might provide?   It seems the only thing saying that this video is bogus is the article.  Was there some proof provided that the footage wasn't real?
    A screen grab from the video shows his phone is in airplane mode, no AD would be possible. 

    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/real-fake-viral-video-claims-pilot-sent-photos-via-airdrop-singapore-airlines-jet-35000ft-1633552
    What does that have to do with anything?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 23
    bestkeptsecretbestkeptsecret Posts: 4,314member
    SpamSandwich said:
    Boom.

    Shouldn't that be "sonic boom"?
    SpamSandwich
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 18 of 23
    rockemsockemrockemsockem Posts: 5member
    StrangeDays said:
    chabig said:
    Soli said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
    Do we know it was an iPhone and not the cockpit iPads that Singapore Airlines might provide?   It seems the only thing saying that this video is bogus is the article.  Was there some proof provided that the footage wasn't real?
    A screen grab from the video shows his phone is in airplane mode, no AD would be possible. 

    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/real-fake-viral-video-claims-pilot-sent-photos-via-airdrop-singapore-airlines-jet-35000ft-1633552
    Turn on airplane mode, then turn on Bluetooth and wifi while still in airplane mode. AirDrop works perfectly this way with airplane mode showing enabled. 
    flashfan207
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 19 of 23
    laytechlaytech Posts: 342member
    Clearly a fake, I struggle for airdrop to work every time between my iPhone 8 and my iMac Mini 2016 model. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not. When it does, its terrific.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 20 of 23
    flashfan207flashfan207 Posts: 291member
    rockemsockem said:
    StrangeDays said:
    chabig said:
    Soli said:
    Can't believe people actually thought this was real
    What about it do you know is impossible and that is common knowledge that no on should believe a radio signal can travel 300 meters?
    Radio obviously can travel 300m. But that's beyond Bluetooth (a very low power radio) range, and Bluetooth is needed for AirDrop to work. Plus, did you see the name of the receiving pilot's iPhone? Nobody names their iPhone "SingTriple7".
    Do we know it was an iPhone and not the cockpit iPads that Singapore Airlines might provide?   It seems the only thing saying that this video is bogus is the article.  Was there some proof provided that the footage wasn't real?
    A screen grab from the video shows his phone is in airplane mode, no AD would be possible. 

    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/real-fake-viral-video-claims-pilot-sent-photos-via-airdrop-singapore-airlines-jet-35000ft-1633552
    Turn on airplane mode, then turn on Bluetooth and wifi while still in airplane mode. AirDrop works perfectly this way with airplane mode showing enabled. 
    Yep. 👍🏻
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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