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THUNDER AND FRIGHTENING

Stunning photos taken by a jet pilot INSIDE storms reveal the awesome power and beauty of Mother Nature at 30,000ft

The pics were captured by pilot Christiaan van Heijst, from Netherlands and his pal  Daan Krans

THESE stunning snaps taken from a plane's cockpit reveal what pilots really see from above.

From thunderstorms lighting up inside clouds to lightening streaks across the sky and even breathtaking scenes of the Northern Lights, the flight deck is definitely the place to be for viewing.

Amazing snaps taken from plane cockpits show thunderstorms light up the insides of clouds
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Amazing snaps taken from plane cockpits show thunderstorms light up the insides of cloudsCredit: Caters News Agency

The photos were captured by pilot Christiaan van Heijst, 33, from Netherlands and his pal Daan Krans and together the two run the company - which specialises in flight deck images.

Christiaan, who began learning to fly as a 14-year-old, said: "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.

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

The snaps were taken by pilot Christiaan van Heijst and his friend Daan Krans
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The snaps were taken by pilot Christiaan van Heijst and his friend Daan KransCredit: Caters News Agency
Lightning streaks across the sky looks like cracks in a windscreen
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Lightning streaks across the sky looks like cracks in a windscreenCredit: Caters News Agency
Breathtaking views reveal what pilots see from above
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Breathtaking views reveal what pilots see from aboveCredit: Caters News Agency
The pair run a photography company called Amazing Aviation, which specialises in flight deck images
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The pair run a photography company called Amazing Aviation, which specialises in flight deck imagesCredit: Caters News Agency
The stunning view from inside the cockpit
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The stunning view from inside the cockpitCredit: Caters News Agency
Christian said: "Van Heijst said: '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"
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Christian said: "Van Heijst said: '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"Credit: Caters News Agency
The northern lights sweep uninterrupted across the sky and the galaxy stretches on forever
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The northern lights sweep uninterrupted across the sky and the galaxy stretches on foreverCredit: Caters News Agency
A breathtaking view of the night sky with lights from the sky line underneath it
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A breathtaking view of the night sky with lights from the sky line underneath itCredit: Caters News Agency
Van Heijst takes photos from the cockpit when his fellow pilots are flying, and when the thunderstorms are not so severe as to greatly affect the flying
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Christian takes photos from the cockpit when his fellow pilots are flying, and when the thunderstorms are not so severe as to greatly affect the flyingCredit: Caters News Agency
Christian said he began learning to fly as a 14-year-old
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Christian said he began learning to fly as a 14-year-oldCredit: Caters News Agency
Christian said "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"
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Christian said "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"Credit: Caters News Agency

He added: "I feel very privileged that I can somehow translate these views with my camera into something that can be shared, viewed and appreciated by anyone."

Flying large cargo planes around the world, Christiaan takes photos from cockpit when his fellow pilots are flying and only when the thunderstorms are not so severe as to greatly affect the flying.

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Christiaan added: "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.

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

"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."


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