St. Maarten 4-16-15

Following the prior day's beachside shooting at St. Thomas' Cyril E. King airport, the beautiful Allure of the Seas deposited us at the pier in Phillipsburg St. Maarten. Needless to say that this aviation enthusiast (geek) and my somewhat willing girlfriend were on the first cab heading to Maho Beach, the Sunset Beach Bar, and Princess Juliana International Airport.

Being one of two people crazy enough to be using scanners on a crowded beach full of part time plane spotting wannabes (tourists), I found myself occasionally mobbed by people wondering when the "big plane" (nonexistant 747 flight) was coming in... "Umm... define "big"". With selfie sticks, iPads, and GoPros galore, the day started with many ruined shots (see the upcoming outtake post), but overall it's hard to complain about being in spotters paradise. I mean, great traffic, perfect weather, no police/"concerned citizen" harassment, pizzas just steps away, a cool refreshing breeze, and the ability to hop in the ocean whenever a heavy wasn't on final... what more could a spotter ask for?

The surfboard (Flightaware for those of us without international data plans), being updated with the day's arrivals.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7738/...a7ed99b9_c.jpgmb1 by MK16photo, on Flickr

The traffic began as the typical SXM commuter flights for the first few hours.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8767/...d6dd0531_c.jpgmb3 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7688/...1a922fea_c.jpgmb5 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7775/...04969308_c.jpgmb6 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7699/...27af8806_c.jpgmb8 by MK16photo, on Flickr

This pair of sierra-hotel FedEx pilots won the Clipper (of the fence) Trophy for the day with this low approach
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7716/...fd0940fb_c.jpgmb9 by MK16photo, on Flickr

The big(er) arrivals started with Insel's Mad Dog coming in over a crowded beach
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7759/...dd54c636_c.jpgmb10 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7697/...215faea5_c.jpgmb12 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7769/...892c3403_c.jpgmb14 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8761/...8ba493a6_c.jpgmb16 by MK16photo, on Flickr

In my opinion, the guy in the left seat of this Turbo Centurion was the luckiest SOB on the face of the earth bringing that lovely Cessna in low over the beach
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7670/...50d78e12_c.jpgmb18 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8744/...09a60e9b_c.jpgmb21 by MK16photo, on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8722/...2c36664e_c.jpgmb23 by MK16photo, on Flickr

More to come in Part II later.

Thanks for looking!

Very nice ... Definitely worth the cab ride

Absolutely worth the cab ride!

Here's part 2:

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7716/1...c3b930ed_c.jpgmb24 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8823/1...9083d63e_c.jpgmb27 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5340/1...4da32e77_c.jpgmb28 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7662/1...8d9f4a9d_c.jpgmb31 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

The fence riders got a kick out of the Insel MD (which held the brakes for quite a while while running up the engines)
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7780/1...b81ee5e2_c.jpgmb32 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5449/1...49680299_c.jpgmb35 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7753/1...657cf16b_c.jpgmb36 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5470/1...82662495_c.jpgmb38 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5321/1...40828102_c.jpgmb39 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

The bizjet traffic was down compared to prior visits, with this Lear being the sole business aircraft movement.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5464/1...0aabb2bf_c.jpgmb42 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7728/1...66a83ed5_c.jpgmb43 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7696/1...d887c57a_c.jpgmb45 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7671/1...697f28e7_c.jpgmb46 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

The trip ended with this AAL B752 framed by the surfboard... I can't wait to return!
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7731/1...986f85ca_c.jpgmb47 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

Very nice! I'm still waiting for the day I can make the trip down there.

Thanks Ryan! Take the chance as soon as you get it, just try and time it so you're not there on a busy cruise day (It gets crowded) or, if you go on a ship like I have, get there early.

Totally awesome stuff!! I really HAVE to get there someday!!!

Thanks Mark!
It's well worth the trip, and a relatively short flight on B6 from FLL! (or NK if you're a contortionist who likes 28'' pitch non-reclining seats)

Awesome shots!!


Markus

Thanks Markus!