SXM/TNCM 12-24 to 12-29

[gonzalu]

I have been away for a week in St. Martin. SXM this year was absolutely amazing... met a lot of pilots and other great plane spotters from around the world. had 1 1/2 days with Cary which was awesome and finally met Marseno Bremmer who lives there and is known for his rare catches. I recommend anyone looking to go to SXM to do it around Christmas. If you love Bizjets, this is heaven. At one point I counted 12 Global Express bizjets in a row.. [12] !!!!!!!! And three from Russia alone. WOWOWOW! Lots of them from our backyard TEB and HPN too. When I departed yesterday afternoon, I lost count of private aircraft parked at 56 and I could not see the right side of the field. There were no spots left for them and handlers were parking them three rows deep at the main tarmac which made it a tight squeeze for KLM and AFR!

Doesn't get much lower than this... or does it?

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-BF6Vn9H/0/O/i-BF6Vn9H.jpg

[Zee71]

Looking forward to your pics..........I hope Cary picked up the tab on your trip!

[steve1840]

Wow! That is insane! After reading this, I do believe that I will be getting my passport in 2013 and booking tix to go to SXM for the holidays. Thanks for the encouragement to spend more money Manny :tongue:

[eric8669]

Wow! That is insane! After reading this, I do believe that I will be getting my passport in 2013 and booking tix to go to SXM for the holidays. Thanks for the encouragement to spend more money Manny :tongue:

Lets try and get a group together. A number of people on this forum want to go. i wouldn't mind going back. Split rooms. lower cost.

[steve1840]

Lets try and get a group together. A number of people on this forum want to go. i wouldn't mind going back. Split rooms. lower cost.

We talking at the end of 2013? I know I can't afford to do it in the beginning of the year. Thanksgiving in SXM sounds good to me.

[gonzalu]

Not sure about Thanksgiving but the $5,000,000 party that Roman Abramovich was throwing (as per sources) did draw a lot of friends with money. Net Jets Aviation alone had at least one to two flights every 10 minutes sunrise to sunset... I am sure more if they had 24x7 operations and Instrument Landing like ILS ... all they have is VOR/DME and NDB :( Although I have heard nightime landings I guess using pure naked visual approach using the VASI (or PAPI, not sure if they upgraded)

[gonzalu]

Second time in a row I get caught with my pants down at SXM.. missed this rare beaut while jerking off taking great pics of US Air Steelers!!! as if: ugh.....

Last time? TACA at SXM which is as rare as Steak Tar Tar

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-m2JnBR7/0/L/i-m2JnBR7-L.jpg

Not sure why this one stuck to the top post...

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-BF6Vn9H/0/O/i-BF6Vn9H.jpg

[Zee71]

I am down for a group trip to SXM.

[mirrodie]

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure. I don't recall how muc hit is but its usually cheaper than the hotel esp if split.

[megatop412]

I love shots that have the sun in the frame if it's done right. That 737 shot is really in your face! 14-24 for that?

[steve1840]

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure.

That's very generous Mario. Many many thanks for offering.

[mirrodie]

Eric has my email so just coordinate and we'll figure it out.

[eric8669]

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure. I don't recall how muc hit is but its usually cheaper than the hotel esp if split.

Mario, I was grateful to have your timeshare once before, i would be up for it again. Its a great place.

[gonzalu]

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure. I don't recall how muc hit is but its usually cheaper than the hotel esp if split.

Mario, that's too cool. Thanks man!! The Royal Islander is sick... it is VERY close and you can spot from there easily in the earlier months of the year before summer.

[gonzalu]

I love shots that have the sun in the frame if it's done right. That 737 shot is really in your face! 14-24 for that?

William, that is what I meant by missed it and not just backlit (should have been on the other side)

That was with the 70-200mm @ 70mm, reaction shot, just turned and fired off until the buffer filled.

[gonzalu]

Here she is on approach... first shot in the buffer. The more I look at it, the more pissed I get...

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-VcrnZGj/0/L/i-VcrnZGj-L.jpg

after landing beginning to backtrack on the RWY

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-Kg23HCJ/0/L/i-Kg23HCJ-L.jpg

Oh, what was I doing before that made me miss it? As if I really need it... I mean, I can get this plane anywhere ... UGH!!!!

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-sGLp4Rj/0/L/i-sGLp4Rj-L.jpg

[gonzalu]

For William...

"Big Apple Blue" over the beach...

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-kRHMVB4/0/O/i-kRHMVB4.jpg

[gonzalu]

"May The Force be with Blue" over the fence

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-p4JmLfk/0/L/i-p4JmLfk-L.jpg

And for the boys, take a look at the hottie on the lower right... She was simply delicious (her friend, not so much)... oh yeah, the plane is nice too.

Tokina 11-17mm Zoom Fisheye, great little lens. CA up the ying yang but I use it mostly for Panorama work. Fits in nicely at Maho for these kinds of shots. It is a DX lens but works on Full Frame (FX) after 15mm or so.
http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-82D3mwp/0/L/i-82D3mwp-L.jpg

another look at the pla... err, the hottie :tongue:

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-BFF69HD/0/O/i-BFF69HD.jpg

Heineken Cat and AFR A340

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-rhNZxF4/0/XL/i-rhNZxF4-XL.jpg

[lijk604]

Manny, I want to see the shots of the bizzers! I'm tired of the same old US Airways/Insel Air over the fence shots.
Let see what oligarch's made their way down his year!

[gonzalu]

OK, here are three... thanks to Cary for the Silver bird... I may have missed it if he didn't tell me it may be leaving. HE almost missed it himself :-)

And the MAJORITY of traffic is NetJets :frown:

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-TZnFwhx/0/L/i-TZnFwhx-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-G8kD8CL/0/L/i-G8kD8CL-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-5df8VDP/0/L/i-5df8VDP-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photos/i-cQGrKf2/0/O/i-cQGrKf2.jpg

[gonzalu]

Some more bizzers for John...

That's St. Martin local spotter, Marseno Bremmer. Super nice guy, knows his stuff!

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-Bh8PtSd/0/L/D80_6622-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-D8wtpsp/0/L/D80_6599-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-SDtvSnj/0/L/D80_6648-L.jpg

This is one is dedicated to Cary, and to piss him off... :tongue: SUCKS to leave SXM!!!

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-8kK4mv5/0/L/D3G_9811-L.jpg

Some great Reggae at Sunset Bar and Grill

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-sqmxw89/0/L/D3G_9668-L.jpg

[gonzalu]

A few more business jets and one AA Boeing 757

Love the woman squatting

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-kvJfdqS/0/L/D3G_9937-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-W7bSv8K/0/L/D3G_9994-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-nFMzRkx/0/L/D3G_9842b-L.jpg

[Cary]

Hey Manny, those are nice and all, but don't you owe me something?

And talk about sucking over have to leave, freaking N88WR came yesterday. Timo got a great shot of it.

[gonzalu]

Working on it, Cary :-) And the Wynn BBJ came in today? SOB.. we need to go for like a month or two... on a work visa. I will gladly pickup garbage from the beach and sweep sand from the road :tongue:

[Cary]

Working on it, Cary :-) And the Wynn BBJ came in today? SOB.. we need to go for like a month or two... on a work visa. I will gladly pickup garbage from the beach and sweep sand from the road :tongue:

Yesterday. And didn't just come in, but came in low and in full sun. So sad that I didn't get a single BBJ. Next year I will be back, with better luck, and the 24-70 II :tongue:

[steve1840]

I am sooooo looking forward to planning a trip to SXM this year....

Just out of curiosity, what do the flights in Liat or Insel over to St Barts or the other islands cost from SXM? Would be interested in taking at least one of those if there for a week.

[lijk604]

Nice grabs Manny. Love all the foreign reggies!
I would love to catch that Falcon 7X with the clouds!

[Zee71]

Keep'em coming brother! Nice to see how that Tokina lens worked for SXM on that A340.

Steve .... that puddle jumper to Saint Barts, I believe is about a 15min or less flight. As far as what it cost I think Cary may know.

[Cary]

Keep'em coming brother! Nice to see how that Tokina lens worked for SXM on that A340.

Steve .... that puddle jumper to Saint Barts, I believe is about a 15min or less flight. As far as what it cost I think Cary may know.

Winair to St. Barts is around $130-$170 R/T, when booked in advance.

[steve1840]

Thanks Cary! If i go for a week i want to spend a day at St. Barts spotting there. Plus it looks like one heck of a landing to experience.

[gonzalu]

Steve, do NOT believe a word Cary says about the costs :tongue: It is EXPENSIVE as hell. You will pay the airfare which is cheap. It was $48 dollars round trip per person for me, my wife and my daughter (in advance).

Then, come the fees. It was about $250 in fees and taxes ABOVE the cost of the tix. So you pay an Exit fee from St. Martin SXM, then an entry fee to St. Barth's and then some other taxes to help improve sand quality in Fiji, then a Volcano just in case tax... etc. etc. RIDICULOUS!! So I didn't go this time because I really did not want to waste the day. SXM was just too good this time of year!!

[gonzalu]

Hey Manny, those are nice and all, but don't you owe me something?

And talk about sucking over have to leave, freaking N88WR came yesterday. Timo got a great shot of it.

Did you get the package, Cary? :tongue:

[gonzalu]

Nice grabs Manny. Love all the foreign reggies!
I would love to catch that Falcon 7X with the clouds!

That is a nice scheme!!

[steve1840]

Steve, do NOT believe a word Cary says about the costs :tongue: It is EXPENSIVE as hell. You will pay the airfare which is cheap. It was $48 dollars round trip per person for me, my wife and my daughter (in advance).

Then, come the fees. It was about $250 in fees and taxes ABOVE the cost of the tix. So you pay an Exit fee from St. Martin SXM, then an entry fee to St. Barth's and then some other taxes to help improve sand quality in Fiji, then a Volcano just in case tax... etc. etc. RIDICULOUS!! So I didn't go this time because I really did not want to waste the day. SXM was just too good this time of year!!

If you're being serious, then thanks for the heads up Manny. Aside from the amazing spotting, how are the sights on St. Maartin? Any locations you would suggest if I wanted to take a day away from Maho to do some sight seeing? I plan on spending an entire week when I go, so I will have many days to go to Maho.

[gonzalu]

Steve, NO JOKING! It blows with all the taxes and fees... it is actually more money for the fees. The trip is worth it, mind you, as St. Barths is a GEM of an island paradise, aside from SBH!

As for sightseeing. You MUST go to Marigot (French side capital) and Philipsburg (Dutch side captial and great shopping center) Remember, Dutch side has NO SALES TAXES!! They also have the famous St. Martin Star Wars Museum there that one of the SW puppet builders runs on the island. It is certainly a must see and if you're a SW fan, bring cash... I dropped a few bucks in there this year and last time I was there :tongue:

[Cary]

Steve, do NOT believe a word Cary says about the costs :tongue: It is EXPENSIVE as hell. You will pay the airfare which is cheap. It was $48 dollars round trip per person for me, my wife and my daughter (in advance).

Then, come the fees. It was about $250 in fees and taxes ABOVE the cost of the tix. So you pay an Exit fee from St. Martin SXM, then an entry fee to St. Barth's and then some other taxes to help improve sand quality in Fiji, then a Volcano just in case tax... etc. etc. RIDICULOUS!! So I didn't go this time because I really did not want to waste the day. SXM was just too good this time of year!!

It was only $130-170ish after taxes the last time I went, and when I checked this year. But yes, the fees make up most of the airfare.

[gonzalu]

It was only $130-170ish after taxes the last time I went, and when I checked this year. But yes, the fees make up most of the airfare.

That makes sense for one person... It was $500 ish for my family so makes sense...

[steve1840]

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it. I look forward to doing as much sightseeing photography, as I do spotting.....well, maybe a little less than spotting :wink: . haha.

[eric8669]

Steve, NO JOKING! It blows with all the taxes and fees... it is actually more money for the fees. The trip is worth it, mind you, as St. Barths is a GEM of an island paradise, aside from SBH!

As for sightseeing. You MUST go to Marigot (French side capital) and Philipsburg (Dutch side captial and great shopping center) Remember, Dutch side has NO SALES TAXES!! They also have the famous St. Martin Star Wars Museum there that one of the SW puppet builders runs on the island. It is certainly a must see and if you're a SW fan, bring cash... I dropped a few bucks in there this year and last time I was there :tongue:

Yup, Its a small Island but there is plenty to explore. I've been there 4 times and still have not seen everything. One place I found fascinating was the butterfly farm, its kinda off in the middle of no where but yielded some great photo opps.

[steve1840]

Sounds great! Are there any waterfalls on the the island? I would love to get a shot of a waterfall in a tropical setting.

[gonzalu]

Steve if you want tropical waterfalls, you must go to Hawaii... However, there MUST be one somewhere because they have high mountains... :-)

In Hawaii, did you all know Maui has one of the world's largest rainforests? I was shocked to learn that...

[steve1840]

Steve if you want tropical waterfalls, you must go to Hawaii... However, there MUST be one somewhere because they have high mountains... :-)

In Hawaii, did you all know Maui has one of the world's largest rainforests? I was shocked to learn that...

Hawaii is definitely on my list, but unfortunately, it is after SXM and Australia..One of these years....

Sounds like I have some research to do on waterfalls on St. Maartin....or St. Barths

[gonzalu]

http://www.geographia.com/st-martin/smpnt01.htm

http://www.stmartinonestop.com/attractions.shtml

[steve1840]

http://www.geographia.com/st-martin/smpnt01.htm

http://www.stmartinonestop.com/attractions.shtml

Thanks Manny! I'll check those out at home later!

One other question....would you suggest getting a rental car or no? How is public transportation there?

[eric8669]

Thanks Manny! I'll check those out at home later!

One other question....would you suggest getting a rental car or no? How is public transportation there?

rent a car for a day, otherwise not needed.

[megatop412]

A Star Wars Museum on St. Marten? Now I know I can get my girlfriend to go down there

[eric8669]

A Star Wars Museum on St. Marten? Now I know I can get my girlfriend to go down there

Yes, one of the creators of Yoda now lives there. He creates and sells caribbean art in addition to having a Star Wars Museum.
http://netdwellers.com/mz/yodaguy/home.html

[steve1840]

A Star Wars Museum on St. Marten? Now I know I can get my girlfriend to go down there

Sunshine, beaches, shopping, and the promise of peace and quiet while you're off photographing airplanes isn'tenough incentive for her???

[gonzalu]

Thanks Manny! I'll check those out at home later!

One other question....would you suggest getting a rental car or no? How is public transportation there?

From Maho to Philipsburg on the jitney (privately owned and rundown vans circle the island 24x7 and pick up and drop off at will) will get you there for about $1.50 US sometimes $2.00. I would only rent a car if I knew I was going to be spending more time circling the island. You can always also rent 4 wheel ATVs or even Dune Buggies.. which are very cool!!

[steve1840]

From Maho to Philipsburg on the jitney (privately owned and rundown vans circle the island 24x7 and pick up and drop off at will) will get you there for about $1.50 US sometimes $2.00. I would only rent a car if I knew I was going to be spending more time circling the island. You can always also rent 4 wheel ATVs or even Dune Buggies.. which are very cool!!

Awesome! I just might have to rent the dune buggie when I head there!

[gonzalu]

A few more the day of departure from JFK to SXM

At the gate

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-NgrMJCr/0/L/D80_5033-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-H4LGdHM/0/L/D80_5032-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-VjfVhvP/0/L/D80_5035-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-ZCHbqnJ/0/L/D80_5042-L.jpg

Taxiing to RWY 4L

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-QNMm6gD/0/L/D80_5061-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-zWtK4Tp/0/L/D80_5063-L.jpg

Turning for lineup (no queue, we rolled and took off without stopping)

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-q3Tqz2z/0/L/D80_5071-L.jpg

the huge 31L RWY swallows up an B737 :wink:

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-ksLMT2M/0/L/D80_5077-L.jpg

Love this shot... shows the back side of JFK and the city of NY in the distance with Queens and Brooklyn visible. It did NOT look that great in real life. Lots of editing to get rid of the haze!!

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-TCb7q8Q/0/L/D80_5102-L.jpg

Long Island as we turn to 100 degrees for the Kennedy One Departure...

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-4NT5k2v/0/L/D80_5114-L.jpg

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-S4C5WLk/0/L/D80_5115-L.jpg

Almost on the ground, we pass some clouds and I get the wonderful Rainbow Reflection effect

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-2BPsvqr/0/L/D80_5151-L.jpg

The target is in sight... Maho Beach and the Sonesta, La Plage and La Terrase Hotel and Time Shares

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-sVq3Hzv/0/L/D80_5182-L.jpg

4 of the thousands of expensive private metal on the tarmac (pun intended)

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-FX8XhNg/0/L/D80_5223-L.jpg

Philipsburg Sunset

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-PDrMjpg/0/L/D80_5255-L.jpg

a late Cruise Ship departure

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-vWkbjzx/0/L/D80_5261-L.jpg

last shot of the day

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/Airplanes/Spotting/SXM-TNCM-December-24-29-2012/i-j69wFcz/0/L/D80_5268-L.jpg

[megatop412]

Manny that last sunset shot is awesome! And I know what you mean about having to edit out haze- I got a similar 4R climbout shot and had to do the same(and this was in November, so not summer)

[gonzalu]

Thanks William... somehow these look dark on my regular monitor. I edited them on a uncalibrated Mac laptop :-(

Yeah, not sure why I got a hazy winter day :( Last night, the air was so clear, from the GWB I could see the flickering lights of Atlantic City :tongue: Seriously, Tappan Zee and Intrepid were clearly visible... love clear winter days, if the spotting in the freezing cold were not so painful!

[steve1840]

Great photos Manny!! I love the "last shot of the day". Terrific stuff! I can't wait to go!

[mirrodie]

GOod shot of Sonesta. Can't believe though how much the beach has eroded over the past 5 years. :(

I do miss having to just drink Pina Coladas poolside at RIC and every so often Ill just get up and grab a shot.

Oh, BTW Manny, upon your return at JFK, where did your plane go? last time we returned from SXM, we here taxiied to a hard stand outside of T4 and shuttled to Immigration, parked next to the Etihad F1.

[gonzalu]

Thanks guys...
Mario, they were comedy of errors when we landed last Saturday... they took us to the usual hard stands in front of the tower and they didn't have a clue. We then got towed back to B6 T5 and put on a hard stand THERE next to Blues Brothers... on a bus and shuttled past around EK A380 at T4 and up to the Immigration area.

I much prefer this than to have to walk from one of the far gates to immigration.. .that's a hike. Hardstand to bus shuttle is much much quicker and less painful, especially with lots of carry-on

[N75715]

Great stuff, Manny! Welcome to the club!!!! Nice angles!

[Zee71]

I am lusting for a trip to SXM. NYC Aviation road trip! Nice work Manny

[steve1840]

I am lusting for a trip to SXM. NYC Aviation road trip! Nice work Manny

I second this motion! All in favor?!?!

[Just_Lucas]

great photos manny :) im from the island so i nearly know all of it by heart :P the dutch side that is >.> im planning to move there after college or sooner hehehe,only thing is i may have to give up my citizenship :\,Great photos im sure most of them would get into airliners.net :)

[gonzalu]

Thanks everyone!

If I go back to SXM I definitely would prefer the week of Christmas... the traffic is insane!! BizJet heaven and the occasional rare commercial bird and BBJ :P

Lucas, I am not so sure. I get rejected quite a lot too :)

[megatop412]

I second this motion! All in favor?!?!

We were already talking about a trip down there to celebrate my 40th in April but didn't figure on me still being out of work so if it happens this year, it would have to be later on

[gonzalu]

You mean your 30th :tongue:

Anyway, I understand... good luck getting back into the rat race!

[Just_Lucas]

:) thats how it is at palm beach international airport..we see a lot of Private Jets,And mostly its a hub for southwest,delta,Sometimes aa And at night its a hug for United :) but not many international flights like at SXM sadly.. :( You should upload dem photos anyways :)
Thanks everyone!

If I go back to SXM I definitely would prefer the week of Christmas... the traffic is insane!! BizJet heaven and the occasional rare commercial bird and BBJ :P

Lucas, I am not so sure. I get rejected quite a lot too :)