HOME | DD
silverdragon —
You too close
Published: 2009-07-17 02:15:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 41188; Favourites: 1629; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
Photography > Photojournalism> Places-------------------
Incredible low approach of a Boeing 747 on the tiny island of St. Maarten.
i love this picture not only because it's a fantastic scene, but because of the reaction from the bystanders, they seriously look like they are enjoying this moment!
The reason for the low approach and incredible close action is because this is the shortest commercial runway (almost 8 thousand ft) that the 747 lands in the world. Also, because the end of the runway features so close to a main road and beach, makes it popular for tourists and aviation nuts as well.
--------------------
From Wiki:
Incoming airplanes approach the island on short final for Runway 9 flying low over the famous Maho Beach. At any other airport aircraft fly at the same altitude at that point in the approach, but other airports don't have a beach, road and a fence just beyond the runway end. Pictures of low flying aircraft were published in several news magazines worldwide in early 2000 and looked so unreal that some were even disputed as fakes. The thrilling approaches and ease of access for shooting spectacular images made the airport one of the world's favorite places among planespotters. To meet changing international and local regulations a 150 meter safety extension was required.
--------------------------------
You can see a crazy video of this cool place at : [link]
-------------------------------
other landings and reactions:
Related content
Comments: 292
I just love all photos from this airport, so unreal for a jumbo to pass this close over the airport fence.
We have a very similar road passing close to the runway here at Stavanger airport, but we rarely see jumbos or any other planes that have to pass this close and low to manage to stop in time...
Excellent photo thought!
OJJ
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
On one hand I can't help thinking "awesome, I sooo wanna be there!!!" on the other "hey those people are nuts!!"
Great picture
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is such a stunning shot. Fantastic work
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Oh God!! Hit the deck!!
Wonderful photo! Hope you were wearing hearing protection!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I'd love to be sitting up on that fence during a landing. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hahaha.. I never heard anyone doing that.. You will probably delay the plane because It won't land if they see a moron on the fence 
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Thank you for sharing these amazing shots by the way.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It would be so cool to be able to touch the underbelly of a 747 before it landed, but I think losing my head would be too much a risk.
I think one man attempted to hold on to the fence in this video (see the guy in blue) during a takeoff, [link] but I don't think he was in the way of the engines, heh.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
hahaha, thats nothing. he wasnt in the middle where the most force is located. Small cars have been blown into the ocean, and people do get hurt. But most of the time it goes well.... In this video you have some morons trying to be mary poppins [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
wow! that looks so beautiful! i want to see somethin like that!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
nice. doesn't quite go as far as the Isle of Barra airport where the plane actually lands on the beach (it's the only place in the world where there are schedueled flights landing on a beach) but then again, those planes aren't 747s...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeah, there are many other amazing airports like in France where planes land on a hill.. with a steep incline.
But coincidence or not, around St. Maarten you have to other tiny islands that have pretty special airports. Check out St. Barths and Saba.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
i may do, but it is still an amzing sight to see a plane land on a beach. the schedule has to change according to the tides
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
If the planes were going in and out so close to the beach, then people would of gone deaf by the engien... or blown away, no sand, or dust was airborn, and so no. Therefore It is fake...
-WG
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Watch the video for a better idea; [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
There's not much sand when it lands because the engines thrusts are on reverse. Here you can see what happens when it takes off. [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Nothing like 350 tons of airplane passing 10 feet or so over your head to put a little excitement in your sunbathing.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It reminds me of Lost 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
And those tourists are now deadf for the next 5 hours.
Really though, that s awesome shot.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hahaha.. naw it's not that extreme... but for sure they got a adrenaline rush!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
KLM, I should have known! Unbelievable they fly so low O_O It looks great, you've captured quite the impressive shot, my friend
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
yup its KLM, only one other 747 (Corsair) lands over here. Thanks for the kind words.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
No problem, the truth had to be said
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
HOHOOO!!!
KLM 747-800 GOES SWOOSH
wow, glad it didnt take someones head off!
XD
great shot
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
O_O Holy...
DAMN that's close!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Yeah... it's the reaction of the people that makes this shot complete!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Well, this has to be NOISE!
Am I right?
Amazing shot.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
There is noise, but it's not so extreme since the plane flies over so fast that before you know it its gone.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Sounds like an interesting experience.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Woah! Totally awesome! I'm so gonna go there to experience this one day!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
WOW! his is the Princess Julianna Int'l Airport, I think.... right? I've always wanted t go there! How cool! Amazing capture, very well done!
<:3}~
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You are correct Catherine, it is Princess Juliana intl. Airport. Thanks!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
That's a mind-blowing photo; It really challenges the mind's concept of visual perception, since the frame of reference between a person and a flying airplane never looks like that, ESPECIALLY with something as large as a 747 commercial airliner...
Insane stuff
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
yeah exactly... if you look at another view you could say the plane is a toy since it doesn't look like it's behind the people. look at the girl in pink, looks like she will be clipped by the engine there.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I now have something new to add to my list of things to do before i die
This is an amazing shot btw
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Fill that bucket list!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
<= Prev | | Next =>