Princess Juliana Airport - Unique In The World?

[Thornton Shepherd]

I just visited St. Maarten and it's Princess Juliana Airport for the first time. I was, of course, impressed and amazed. It is truly a nirvana for aviation enthusiasts! Samples here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr5uLCmXJ4M - Spotters being blasted by an MD-80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdwK-XkBpYg - Flight crews waving at spotters on the beach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69lHgaw686Y - Air France landing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N0XEPqb-Hk - Spotting and watching "fence riding" from the bar.

Are there any other airports in the world that can offer similar spotters' experiences? If so, I'll be planning my next trip right away.

[Brock Little]

That's great you went! It's one of my goals, to go there! :)
Gold Coast Airport/Coolangatta (OOL/YBCG) in Queensland is a great spotters place, planes come roaring over your head, but probably just a little bit higher than St. Maarten.

Here's a sample photo from OOL:

1361

And a sample video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oTTaVK9xyk

If you come to OOL I'd be more than delighted to show you around!

[Bob C]

Hi Andrew

You missed the fourth "B" - BABES !

One Powerball................................

Cheers

Bob

[NeilP]

Definitely on my Bucket List...

[matthew mcdonald]

This airport in greece looks like another St Maarten only with a bit less paradise.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6308246&nseq=10

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6890855&nseq=19

[David Ramsay]

This airport in greece looks like another St Maarten only with a bit less paradise.... and the distinct probability of getting locked up for spotting there.

The Greeks don't like spotters with cameras. :(

[Russell D]

Awesome videos Thornton. Never knew about the "fence riding" before.

As Andrew mentioned previously, St Barts is great too. Which reminded me about this video I saw a year or so back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z2o0acIlm4
This pilot get's caught in ground effect and seems to float forever, touching well beyond the halfway point of the runway. bet he/she will probably always remember to go around next time. ;)

[Torin Wilson]

Taipei TSA airport is like the airport in Greece, with even less paradise yet!

There is a road right at the end of the runway, takes a bit of finding, and a bit of ***** to make it there (not a great safe road!)

[Peter Agatsiotis]

I remember one of the first video clips to emerge from St Marteen which has an Air France 747 revving up and the thrust was literally 'pushing' people towards the sea not to mention a few tons of sand.

I suppose under the approach of any airport would be awseome but they don't all have a beach right next to them.

Another interesting airport is Gibraltar which has a road running through the runway and they have traffic lights each end to stop the cars whenever there is a take-off/landing. (I think it was posted here some time ago??)

[Thornton Shepherd]

That's great you went! It's one of my goals, to go there! :)
Gold Coast Airport/Coolangatta (OOL/YBCG) in Queensland is a great spotters place, planes come roaring over your head, but probably just a little bit higher than St. Maarten.

Here's a sample photo from OOL:

1361

And a sample video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oTTaVK9xyk

If you come to OOL I'd be more than delighted to show you around!

WOW! Your airport is impressive! If I ever make it up that way, I will take you up on your offer. I tend to do Syndey/Melbourne when I am there.

[Thornton Shepherd]

Here is a video, taken by a friend, in which I can be seen riding the fence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbvGje_8aM0&feature=channel_video_title

I am wearing the yellow shirt in part 1 and the Black shirt and gray pants in part 2.

Exhilarating!!!!

[Josh Cliff]

Im actually going to be at St Maarteen in 20-24th of June,

Is there a website or some sort of time table that will give a guide to what I can expect to be landing at TNCM??

[Brock Little]

Apparently there is a bar on Maho Beach that has a timetable of all the flights arriving that day.

[Michael Cleary]

Sam Chui visited St. Maarten in 2003 and his report is below.

http://www.samchuiphotos.com/CaribbeanDec03/TripReportCaribbeanUSADec03.html

[craig h]

Im actually going to be at St Maarteen in 20-24th of June,

Is there a website or some sort of time table that will give a guide to what I can expect to be landing at TNCM??

Hi Josh, try this: http://www.ourairports.com/airports/TNCM/flights.html
Hope you enjoy your trip.

[Josh Cliff]

Yeah mate I cant wait!!
Thanks for that Craig it will be handy whilst im there :)

Would anybody know if KLM are still flying 747's in to SXM??

[craig h]

KLM services are as follows: Sunday & Tuesday 747-400, Arrive 13.20-depart 14.30.
Fridays MD11, Arrive 17.05-Depart 18.15
All times are local and routes are seasonal
Hope this helps, and don't forget to post your photos when you return ;)
Cheers.