At a busy air show in Spain, a fighter jet made “evasive manoeuvre” to avoid hitting a flock of birds. The quick action by the pilot amazed the crowd watching the event.

During the Gijon Air Festival, held over the weekend, an F-18 jet from the Spanish Air and Space Force was flying low near the shore when it suddenly spotted a flock of birds in its path. The pilot quickly reacted by twisting the plane and dropping altitude, then swiftly climbing back up. This fast move helped the jet avoid a collision.

Videos shared by people on social media showed the jet making a nearly somersault-like turn around the birds, thrilling the audience with the pilot’s skill and control.

The festival is a popular event in Spain and has been held every year since 2006. It features multiple category of planes, including military, civilian, and institutional aircraft. This year, about a dozen planes took part in the three-day show.

SPANISH AIR FORCE PRAISES PILOT’S RESPONSE

After many questions from the public about the sudden move, the Spanish Air and Space Force shared a message on social media explaining what happened.

They said, “As you can see, one of our F-18s carried out an evasive maneuver upon detecting a flock of birds in its trajectory. This action was part of a standard protocol that preserved the integrity of the pilot just as it did the safety of the public.”

The Air Force also highlighted how their pilots train to react in just milliseconds to unexpected events like this. They praised the pilot for showing “exemplary speed and professionalism” by avoiding the birds without stopping the rest of the show.

“Safety is and will continue to be our highest priority in each and every aerial demonstration. Thanks to all attendees for their enthusiasm and trust,” the agency added. “Let’s keep flying together.”

– Ends