Brutal 'vertical takeoff test' every Boeing plane must pass before being sold

When it comes to staying safe in the skies, you want a name you can trust.

Boeing has been helping us fly high since 1916, and while aviation looks a little different to when the B&W seaplane took its maiden voyage, Boeing is still one of the industry's titans. One guy even lives on a Boeing.

More than just creating airplanes, Boeing has since branched out into everything from missiles to satellites, although it's planes that it's still mainly known for.

Head to any airport and chances are a fleet of Boeing will be on the runway, but did you know, each of them has to undergo a 'brutal' takeoff test before they can be sold commercially?

A video from Fluctus show how brand-new Boeings are forced to takeoff at an almost vertical angle.

Since the dawn of aviation, companies have invested hundreds of millions into testing designs, and while it might look nerve-wracking to put Boeings through this kind of pitch, it's all part of the process.

Even though the video admits this kind of vigorous testing was more common in the early days of flight before we could run computer simulations, Boeing still does it the old school way.

The vertical takeoff involves the pilots pulling back as soon as they leave the runway, which is supposed to simulate the need to do so in the case of an emergency.

Pilots will also perform sharp turns and descents to test the plane for every eventuality before they can be put into commercial use.

Interestingly, these manoeuvres are typically shown off at international air shows and pull in quite a crowd from the corporate and civilian side.

After all, what better way to show off your plane to potential buyers...or thieves?

Somebody please think of the pilots (Travelpix Ltd/Getty)

Boeing would obviously never do this with passengers on board, but with pilots in the cockpit, the comment section pointed out how wild this one.

One concerned fan wrote: "You have to commend these test/pilots for their skill, but most of all their 'extreme' courage knowing that if a test manoeuvre goes wrong, they just can't eject themselves from that flight cabin as if they were in a fighter jet. Total respect!"

Another stunned traveler added: "Seeing a commercial airliner doing a near-vertical takeoff has to be one of the most badass things ever😮."

Of course, there were the typical jokers, with someone else adding: "As a plane I can confirm we are afraid of these tests."

There's an actual Boeing that can take off vertically without being put through its paces, as the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey military transport and cargo plane is designed to take off vertically. As for commercial Boeings taking off vertically, let's hope you never have to see one anywhere other than at an air show.