Very Late go around earlier this week at St Maarten

[markis10]

Bit of weather around thanks to the Hurricane makes a normally interesting view more interesting:

[video=youtube;wJaR4azw6NM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJaR4azw6NM&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

 

[Major]

It looks like St Maarten is one of those scary landings at the best of times

 

[Sprucegoose]

Very late decision it appears. Somehow air France has never inspired me


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[pshepvic]

Wow. I've been to St Maarten a couple of times and it's an awesome experience - I think it's rated as one of the most dangerous airports in the world - due to the mountain at the other end of the runway!

I've seen a go-around there before too, when a small Cessna or something cut in front of a MD-80 landing. No where near as late as this one though. It makes for a good show, as there is usually a big crowd of people at the bar/beach - especially when Air France is landing!


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[Robert Qld]

I'm glad when I was in Sint Marteen (well Saint-Martin as I stayed in Grand Case) last year it was just after Hurricane Maria. Things where still a wee bit choppy.

Heck I was in New Orleans for Tropical Storm Lee and had delays with Boston due to Irene. Not a great time to visit in heinsite.

 

[pshepvic]

I'm glad when I was in Sint Marteen (well Saint-Martin as I stayed in Grand Case) last year it was just after Hurricane Maria. Things where still a wee bit choppy.

Heck I was in New Orleans for Tropical Storm Lee and had delays with Boston due to Irene. Not a great time to visit in heinsite.

A few years ago I was supposed to fly LAS-MIA but saw on the news that a hurricane was expected to make landfall at 2pm - right when my flight was due to land. Switched the itinerary around and flew to Orlando instead, then followed down the coast to Key West after the storm had passed.

That storm was Hurricane Katrina, and in hindsight changing my flight was a great idea!


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[openseat]

Hair dryers to max thrust!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Is it actually that dangerous? or does it just seem that much more dangerous because the public can get so close to the end of the runway?
What I mean is, if you could stop and film landings so close to the runway at SYD, would it seem just as dangerous?, or rather..

Do pilots need to take an extra-ordinary steep approach into St Maarten? more so than they would normally at any other airport?

 

[pshepvic]

Is it actually that dangerous? or does it just seem that much more dangerous because the public can get so close to the end of the runway?
What I mean is, if you could stop and film landings so close to the runway at SYD, would it seem just as dangerous?, or rather..

Do pilots need to take an extra-ordinary steep approach into St Maarten? more so than they would normally at any other airport?

It's the take offs that are more dangerous when they head towards the hill - they have to climb steeply and bank right almost immediately. Landings are not so bad as they always go over the beach and never the other way - plus it's still a reasonably long runway as they can land a 747 there.


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[Robert Qld]

I think pilots need some sort of special training before being allowed to Fly to SXM?