Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: St. Maarten 4-16-15

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    830

    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.
    mb1 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    The traffic began as the typical SXM commuter flights for the first few hours.
    mb3 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb5 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb6 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb8 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
    mb9 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    The big(er) arrivals started with Insel's Mad Dog coming in over a crowded beach
    mb10 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb12 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb14 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb16 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
    mb18 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb21 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    mb23 by MK16photo, on Flickr

    More to come in Part II later.

    Thanks for looking!

  2. #2
    Senior Member Zee71's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Queens, NY
    Posts
    4,361
    Very nice ... Definitely worth the cab ride
    Mark
    Queens, NY

    My website: http://mbsphotography.smugmug.com
    My photos at: JetPhotos and ANet

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    830
    Absolutely worth the cab ride!

    Here's part 2:

    mb24 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb27 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb28 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb31 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)
    mb32 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb35 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb36 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb38 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb39 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    The bizjet traffic was down compared to prior visits, with this Lear being the sole business aircraft movement.
    mb42 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    830
    mb43 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb45 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    mb46 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

    The trip ended with this AAL B752 framed by the surfboard... I can't wait to return!
    mb47 by Mark Kolanowski, on Flickr

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Elmwood Park, New Jersey, United States
    Posts
    42
    Very nice! I'm still waiting for the day I can make the trip down there.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    830
    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.

  7. #7
    Senior Member MarkLawrence's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    1 Miles NNW of NOVAE - KFLL - Davie, FL
    Posts
    3,939
    Totally awesome stuff!! I really HAVE to get there someday!!!
    Mark Lawrence - KFLL
    Davie, FL

    Community Manager NYCAviation.com
    email: [email protected]

    http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?userid=1538
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/9633283@N04/

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    830
    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)

  9. #9
    Senior Member backlash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Munich, Germany
    Posts
    206
    Awesome shots!!


    Markus
    Life is About Kicking Ass, not Kissing It

    Visit Munich Aviation Spotters and Runway26 Productions on Facebook

  10. #10

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •