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silverdragon —
You too close
Published: 2009-07-17 02:15:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 41241; Favourites: 1629; Downloads: 0
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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.
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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.
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You can see a crazy video of this cool place at : [link]
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other landings and reactions:
Related content
Comments: 292
have you told everyone on the news article? xD if so, you have spared me work tonight! 
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i faved them all
but didnt send notes to everyone
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I sent to the nominees already, just now. wanted to touch basis with everyone who participated but that seems an impossible mission!
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man
that does seem impossible
did you get the note i sent by chance?
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Amazing capture! I love the expressions on everyone's face
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Thats the reason I love this picture... blown up you can see the faces clearly and I just that the most. I cant wait to print it big big.
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That will look so awesome printed large scale!!
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omg!! 
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woahhh... that was REALLY close!
nice shot
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I've featured you in my journal [link]
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I love this! Amy Winehouse would loose her hair hahaha.. !
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ha! I think she will loose more than that
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It just is... crazy stuff huh?
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Way too much crazy!! I thought this was going to be a photomanipulation from the thumbnail but it's for realsies!!? Holy moly.
Wouldn't the down-draft from the aircraft send all those people flying?? Or is that just a myth they put into movies like Pushing Tin and Casino Royale?
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nah, not too much downward force off these things. It'll probably be pretty gusty after it passes tho. It's landing, so the engines aren't anywhere near full throttle.
Now, when it's beginning its takeoff run, THAT'S when you don't want to be that close to the plane.
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Thanx doodler! My knowledge of aerodynamics and even physics in general is, admittedly, pretty lacking. I followed the link to the youtube footage and there is some vids of planes taking off from same beach - and you're right you don't really wanna be that close! Haha.
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you should take a look at videos of crosswind landings. Awesome stuff. XD
Might freak out people who are already freaked out by flying tho. ehe
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Yeah, that's me. Not the best airline passenger. Haha.
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hm hm hm.. all this questions for author
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Hey as promised you've been featured in my most recent journal, here's the link if you'd like to check it out [link]
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Lol... i would love to see that happen
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Wow...that's a really cool shot! I didn't think a plane would fly that close to people!
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AHHH!!! AWESOME MAN!!!
(they call that a flat hat, right?)
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how do you mean flat hat?
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there is this old saying from a rumor that when a very low-flying plane flew over a crowd, a man's top hat was flattened
-do you always photograph planes? it'd be cool to see more!
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hahaha cool saying. I like it.
But no, I usually focus on nature pictures, and the plane pictures I take is because of the cool landings here on St. Maarten. I do have more, but not so impressive as this 747 
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loved to see them!
i'm very into aeronautics, though I barely know a thing! all i know is that i'd love to learn to fly
what are you other photos called?
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I havent posted other aviation pictures. I just dont think they are that impressive.
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fair enough
although, sometimes a second opinion makes it better!
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brave? naw not really. Quick? yes! it's much braver to take a shot of one of these beasts taking off the runway (same side as the picture). Imagine that!
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it would be higher force if an 747 was taking off with full throttle
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amazing how big impression the Boeing have
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