Yes, this is real. Indeed, this story was in a British newspaper in the last decade - so it's been going on for years. The article (I can't remember which, when, etc) explained that sunbathers always end up under the flightpath because landing are very seldom - most operators schedule flights only once per week. The sunbathers come for a week on the very planes that land there, walk along that beach the next day, don't connect that the airport is over the fence, and then get a very rude surprise when the daily landing happens. Whether the authorities did get round to putting up warning signs is something not followed up, but it's interesting that none of the photos show any sunbather covering their ears - the loudest jet noise must go behind the jet, not to the side. But, this must be the best place in the world for planespotters, or Wayne and Garth ("Wayne's World").

This photo is a fake, notice the shadow of the plane it is to the top of the photo. Notice the shadow of the man in orange trunks it is to the right of the photo.

Why is it that there is not one person looking at the plane over head? I know for sure that either my hands would either be on my ears or looking up at the plane... Those engines would have to be at almost full throttle to keep that plane in the air at that altitude and pitch... B.S.

Mike obviously doesn't know too much about aviation. Under these conditions, the engines of the 747 would most decidely be at idle. (Engines do not keep aircraft in the air, they make them move forward!) Most of the noise of a landing arcraft comes from the wings, and especially the flaps. The plane is further behind the people than it appears (its shadow is almost directly below and to the right of it) and everyone is looking directly at it.

I don't believe it. If the plane was that close to landing the gear would be all the way down. NOT partially in the up position.

Faked...

The thing is that there are hundreds of shots of planes landing at Princess Juliana airport available on airliners.net. So the airport obviously really exists (I've already decided I want to go there on vacation). In which case, why would anyone bother to fake this photo in particular?

Oh, and it looks to me like the landing gear is down.

the back landing gear looks down?

only if the plane was planning on landing sideways..

I am the photographer of that Air France photo. Yes it is real, I don't know where you are getting that it is fake (and that the landing gear is only half way down????). Buy a ticket down there and see for yourself, or get the video from justplanes.com.

Rgds,
Justin Cederholm

Man, you people are getting too skeptical for your own good. The pictures are real. It it a real airport. I've seen other pictures of planes landing over the beach at Princess Juliana many times in travel magazines. As far as the landing gear goes, there are four sets of landing gear on the rear of a 747. The front two sets are hinged, so that they hand at an angle while the plane is in flight. They rotate into the flat postition when the weight of the plane rests on them. I'm assuming that is what you are looking at when you say the gear is only "halfway down."

If your the photographer of THAT photo, then I am the pope.

I think I can see the reason tha some people are saying that the landing gear is only "half down". On a 747 there are two "trucks" under each wing and the frontmost of the two hangs like this when not in contact with the ground. This makes the tires contact the runway sequentially, not all at once.

Skeptics should do some of the research I did: Look at the airport's web site (there's a 747 on it), check flight schedules (Air France no longer flies 747s there but Corsair does) and check a map of the island. Finally look at the web page: http://gobeach.com/beaches.htm -- see the entry for Maho beach.

I don

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/201517/M/

If you look at my photo, and click the link in my comments to the head on shot, I really don't see how you think it's fake.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/153718/M/

Joe Pries's shot, I know him and it's 100% real.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/235478/L/

Search SXM on airliners.net, there are hundreds of photos on there. If you still believe it's fake, then I'm sorry. You must be the same people who think we didn't land on the moon.

Best,
Justin Cederholm

"isn

Greetings, Anon of Feb 19, 04|11:41pm here. What I originally wrote is true. Thanks to KP, roy the chimp, and Justin Cederholm and our Curator for providing *explanations* and facts:
- Yes, the airport, beach, etc., do really exist.
- Yes, the landing gear *is* down. 747's do have more than two sets of wheels under the wings (I think it's three - two to the side, one in the centre - making four with the front set) and these rear sets are free to hang at an angle. I've seen films that show some unlevel wheel sets under 747s slamming down to level as they hit the runway.
- Yes, jet engines usually idle on landing. Mike raised an interesting question which showed that, yes, he didn't know too much about aviation - but neither do most people in the world, so it's good to put this misconception to rest. I happened to make two flights a fortnight ago (Airbus's) and I noted that indeed the jets are loud on take-off and inaudible on landing. I especially listened to the engines on landing, and noticed their whine drop in tone until I couldn't hear the engines above the sound of rushing air. Really, these 'planes effectively glide in to land, and 747 pilot are *really* good (when sober, ahem) as they are required to have 30 years flying experience with smaller civil aircraft before flying 747s. Also, note that typical take-off angles are about 15 degrees, while landing angles are only 2

Oops! Anon of Feb 19, 04|11:41pm again. I forgot to say my main point: the question that our Curator indirectly posed, which I thought was the real mystery, is: given these 'planes really do land so low over this beach, why do crazy sunbather's end up under these 'planes and not get deafened (and yes, sometimes there are shocked sunbathers right underneath)?

Well, I hope I already provided some answer by repeating the explanation given in the British newspaper article: that the local authorities had not posted warning signs on the beaches about the nearby but hidden runway, and that the flights were so infrequent: once a week at the time. Also, we've dealt with the idle engines being quieter.

If anyone does go for hols there, could you check whether those authorities did get round to posting warnings yet? Or do they still enjoy the spectacle? 😊.

Anon, here's your answer.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/211173/L/

Excellent! Though this sign appears to be at the other end of the beach, and it obviously get's ignored... Ah well.

I am the POPE! Bless you all!

http://www.simradar.com/Feature/2172/B747_approaching_St_Maarten.html

Video of a 747 landing at St. Maarten. Now I can put this to rest!!!!!!

The picture is definitely real. I vacation in St. Maarten and have stood in that spot on Maho Beach. In addition to the 747 landings, there are fairly regular landings of smaller jets (ie: American Airlines, charter planes) and prop planes belonging to local airlines that do commuter flights to other islands.

At times I've been there for an hour and watched half a dozen planes land, so I would have to say most people are pretty aware they're at the end of a runway and in fact 99% of the sunbathers are there for the experience (unless your at the Maho Beach Hotel next door, in which case this is your only beach) There are big warning signs on either side of the flightpath.

Evening more entertaining is watching kids hang on the fence at the end of the runway when the 747's take off. Now that's loud, powerful and can blow you down. The blast when all four engines go to full rev is might impressive. Good idea to cover your eyes as you are on a beach and ir produces a nice little sandstorm for a few seconds there.

Anon of 3/2 - I don't know where you read that, but it's a load of crap. The runway is hardly "hidden" - it's about the biggest damned thing on the island - and there has never been a period when there was only "one flight a week" there.

Other anon of 3/2 - you are also full of shit. Jet engines are not "idle" upon landing, and that sound you hear is not "rushing air". Power is applied until touchdown, and then thrust reversers are used to slow the plane, especially on a short runway like SXM. Also, whoever told you you have to have "30 years of exp" before you can fly a 74 is also quite full of it.

why even have an airport on an airport-sized island? that's like putting an airport on catalina island. they should have designed it so you can only get their by boat

I think this airport is fascinating and have enjoyed the discussion and links people have provided.

I always become amused at the angry responses certain types of people fire off whenever they read something they disagree with-do these people have a life? 'P' are reading this?? Take a pill or something man....chill out. Who cares if the engines are idling or not at landing, do some idling yourself man...

You are not the pope! I Am! What is this, some kind of joke? I'm popeing around, reading this site, and you claim to be me!

I've flown into this airport several times, it's real

I go to medical school here on St. Maarten at the American University of the Caribbean. This is a very real photo. People do hang on the chain link fence and are lifted horizontal when a big plane takes off, most of them are drunk as Sunset Beach Bar is right next door. There are warning signs on both ends of the runway. The island is about 26 square miles, and actually has another airport, but only for small planes. Air France still has a 747 that leaves from here, everday I believe, but I'm not sure. I have seen airplanes take off and land, they are louder during take off... Why? I don't know.

The photo's are definately real... don't believe it? go to the airplane photo gallery for The Sunset Beach Bar... loacted at the beginning of the runway... BEST BAR IN SINT. MAARTEN...
Topless women drink for FREE!!!
http://www.sunsetbeachbar.com/Members/SBB_Staff/Gallery/airplane_gallery/view

I know it's real because I have landed my 747 there on several occations.

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