Boeing 747 pilot Christiaan van Heijst has captured these stunning shots of thunderstorms over the Indian Ocean. Christiaan explains; "Heavy weather over the Indian Ocean and nonstop flashes under the stars; massive thunderstorms over the Indian Ocean lights up the midnight sky for hundreds of miles around. GET fabulous aviation pictures, videos and the very latest news delivered directly to you. Sign up for our Newsletter here. "Even though the 747 is a sturdy machine with four powerful engines, we're absolutely nothing compared with those forces of nature outside that window. "Deviations of dozens and sometimes many hundreds of miles (around thunderstorms) from our flight plan are necessary to avoid the most violent parts. "Keeping one eye on the weather radar, we have to keep track of our fuel as well. Every minute further from our course consumes precious kerosine that we might need later on. SEE Exclusive new photos of 777X first flight  "How far are we willing to deviate? How long do we want to maintain this course? What are our reserves? How is the weather at our destination developing? With a fuel consumption of 200 kg / 440 lbs per minute, we don't have unlimited options. "A balance between knowledge, experience, risk assessment and decision making; a fitting job description of an airline pilot these days. Christiaan is one of the world’s leading aviation photographers and more of his work and more close encounter (s) can be found here.