This lady isn't smart...
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:35 pm
So I am sure some of you know of Sint Maarten - Saint Martin, a French/Dutch island in the Caribbean. Beautiful beaches, great diving, etc. What you might not know is the airport is very close to the beach and the runway is at 3 feet of elevation. The end of the overrun area is about 15 feet from the high tide line. Plus there is a great little bar on Maho Beach right at the end of the runway. Even if you aren't an aviation geek you will stop and be amazed at how close you are to hundreds of thousands of lbs directly over your head.
I have been there three times but I have never left the airport. Each was a quick turn and I didn't get to visit Maho Beach. That will change later this year when the wife and I visit this fall. I will have a few photos like this of my own:




So it is one thing to stand on Maho Beach as a 747 is approaching and feel like you can reach up and touch the plane as it is landing. It is totally different to stand along the fence when a plane is taking off. Some choose to hold onto the fence as the planes are departing. Some standing in the sand quickly move away as they get blasted by the sand from the jet exhaust. Others make it thru. Some are not so lucky even with a smaller (relatively) A320 as this woman found out. (Notice the right seat open the window and wave at those at the bar.)
Then there is this smart guy that thinks he can hold his daughter in the sand blaster. Notice the single guy that looks like he was shot. Got to like the chowd commentary to the plane, "up, up, up."
I have been there three times but I have never left the airport. Each was a quick turn and I didn't get to visit Maho Beach. That will change later this year when the wife and I visit this fall. I will have a few photos like this of my own:





So it is one thing to stand on Maho Beach as a 747 is approaching and feel like you can reach up and touch the plane as it is landing. It is totally different to stand along the fence when a plane is taking off. Some choose to hold onto the fence as the planes are departing. Some standing in the sand quickly move away as they get blasted by the sand from the jet exhaust. Others make it thru. Some are not so lucky even with a smaller (relatively) A320 as this woman found out. (Notice the right seat open the window and wave at those at the bar.)
Then there is this smart guy that thinks he can hold his daughter in the sand blaster. Notice the single guy that looks like he was shot. Got to like the chowd commentary to the plane, "up, up, up."