World-First in Aviation: Pilot Lands on and Takes Off from a Moving Train

Italian pilot Dario Costa has made aviation history with a never-before-seen maneuver in Türkiye. In Afyonkarahisar, Costa successfully landed his aircraft on a cargo train traveling at maximum operational speed and then took off again from the same container, marking a world first.

The daring feat took place on February 15, 2026. Costa touched down on the ninth and final container of a cargo train moving at approximately 75 mph (120 km/h), before lifting off in a vertical pull from the same platform. The maneuver demanded flawless timing, precise aerodynamic control, and absolute focus.

Unlike a conventional runway approach, the landing surface remained outside Costa’s field of vision until the final moments of descent. Due to the aircraft’s approach angle and the forward motion of the train, there was no visual glide path. As a result, the maneuver was essentially a blind landing, relying entirely on Costa’s cognitive training, experience, and skill.

While the train continued at full speed, Costa had to slow the aircraft to a near-stall airspeed of around 55 mph (88 km/h). Even the slightest mismatch between the speed of the aircraft and the train could have caused an overshoot or misalignment.

Severe turbulence generated by the moving train and shifting airflow made the task even more challenging. The carriages created unstable air currents, forcing Costa to perform constant micro-adjustments to maintain both longitudinal and lateral stability throughout the approach.

The historic maneuver was shared by Red Bull. More technical details and behind-the-scenes insights can be found in Red Bull’s official coverage.