Yeah.
I'm a photographer, so I do know a fair bit about perspective
There are shots on that link where the plane is very close. Closer than a quarter of a mile. Like I said before, I've been over to SF for this event... and believe me, you know he's coming. All eyes in SF are fixed on him as he dips in from the bridge end.
My first question was a tad tongue-in-cheek - I know full well why the chap's not looking. It's nothing to do with him not knowing it's coming. Think about those stewards at football games who sit facing the crowd, despite the pentaly shootout that's going on behind them.