Cumulus From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 1402 posts, RR: 1 Posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6457 times:
Now I know this is every spotters paradise, on the beach with a beer watching the heavies landing - but is this not a bit on the dangerous side?
It's a Air France 747 throttling up for departure, but look at the jet blast into the water!! And are those people running with the jet blast into the sea or are they being blown?
What Goes Up Must Come Down, Hopefully In One Piece!
Miamiair From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6434 times:
They are running for the water to stop getting sand blasted. They call it riding the fence. A little wind at your back probably gets you into the water quicker...
BatonOps From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 724 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6434 times:
Quoting Kevin777 (Reply 1): WOW!!!!!! Cool video! Don't know if it's dangerous, but it's awesome!!
Awesome is right. Althought I'd rather sit on the beach and watch all the landings. I could do without getting sand blasted!
ATAIndy From United States of America, joined May 2004, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6432 times:
It does sound like fun. I sure wish I was there, riding the fence as you say, Miamiair. It would sure beat school, which is where I am stuck at the moment.
RL757PVD From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4537 posts, RR: 13 Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6307 times:
Quoting Cumulus (Thread starter): And are those people running with the jet blast into the sea or are they being blown?
When i was there the people were running into the water with the jet blast as an added "assistance".
As for the sand blasting... I did it for a BWIA 737-800 and it HURT... there is no way id do it for any sort of wide body. Start small with like DH-8 then work your way up till the pain isnt worth it
Maho beach should be on every aviation enthusists to do list.
Experience is what you get when what you thought would work out didn't!
BatonOps From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 724 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6282 times:
Quoting RL757PVD (Reply 7): Maho beach should be on every aviation enthusists to do list.
Isn't that the truth. A must see for anyone that loves aviation.
Beech19 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 936 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6233 times:
Quoting RL757PVD (Reply 7): Start small with like DH-8 then work your way up till the pain isnt worth it
This is maybe the strangest statement i've ever heard. LOL No offense mean't by that.
Its just odd that we are discussing the pros and cons of the pain level of getting sand blasted by a jet engine. LOL
D L X From United States of America, joined May 1999, 10561 posts, RR: 53 Reply 10, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6198 times:
My question is, is there any chance at getting sucked into an engine when they're landing over your head?
IAHFLYR From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4723 posts, RR: 25 Reply 11, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6185 times:
If you've ever watched the take-off from the beach bar along the approach end, you'd call what these folks get "sandblasting"! It's fun but nuts to watch
Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.
RL757PVD From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4537 posts, RR: 13 Reply 12, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6120 times:
Quoting Beech19 (Reply 9): This is maybe the strangest statement i've ever heard. LOL No offense mean't by that.
Its just odd that we are discussing the pros and cons of the pain level of getting sand blasted by a jet engine. LOL
Its not the jet blast that hurts... its the speed at which the sand is traveling! And FYI... if ure at the fence... pray there is no FOD on the runway, it will pierce the flesh!
Experience is what you get when what you thought would work out didn't!
Nonrevman From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 1289 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 6026 times:
I wonder how often the sand at that beach has to be replaced.
RL757PVD From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4537 posts, RR: 13 Reply 14, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 6002 times:
Quoting Nonrevman (Reply 13): I wonder how often the sand at that beach has to be replaced.
It just washes back up onshore
Experience is what you get when what you thought would work out didn't!
Neilalp From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 1034 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 6002 times:
Quoting Nonrevman (Reply 13): I wonder how often the sand at that beach has to be replaced.
The nice thing is with nature it just washes back up on shore!
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Reply 16, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 5975 times:
Quoting D L X (Reply 10): My question is, is there any chance at getting sucked into an engine when they're landing over your head?
That's a big negative. Safety zones in front of engines vary from 15 to 50 feet, and I doubt an aircraft on short final could pick anything up at all.
Beech19 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 936 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 5889 times:
Quoting RL757PVD (Reply 12): Its not the jet blast that hurts... its the speed at which the sand is traveling!
Maybe you should re-read what i said.
Quoting Neilalp (Reply 15): The nice thing is with nature it just washes back up on shore!
Gotta love mother nature... There are pics of the "beach" after a hurricane came thru. Nothing but steep rocks. EEK!!
N766UA From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 7993 posts, RR: 27 Reply 18, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 5601 times:
It's certainly a good way to get dry after a swim!
As long as you close your eyes it's really not dangerous. Hurts a bit on the fence, though, because rocks and dust eat at your skin. Plus when I did it I held onto the fence and the chain link cut into my knuckles. Still Killer, though.
Kevin777 From Denmark, joined Sep 2006, 1154 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 5141 times:
I so wanna go to Maho Beach as well!!! As everyone here I suppose.. it must be the Mekka for a.netters..
But actually, we have at least one little SXM in Europe.. (but there has to be many others though..): ZTH (Zakynthos, Greece)
Rwy is a just off the popular Laganas beach shore (just after a road), and it is such a pleasure to sit in the sand with a Mythos beer and enjoy the incoming a/c over your head... however, the runway is not as close to beach as at SXM, and the beach is a bit lower, so you cannot really see it from the shore... In addition, apart from the odd 767 (very rare) only narrow body a/c serve the apt, just not the same being sandblasted by a 737! However, the "paradise-meets-final" (= ultimate paradise) is still there at ZTH!!
Kevin777
ZTH final.... miss that island...
"I was waiting for you at DFW, but you must have been in LUV" CPH-GOT-CPH-GOT-CPH-GOT-CPH...
AA61Hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 20, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 5140 times:
I'd try to run against the engine thrust, see if I can run in place, or get blown back...
ClearedDirect From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 271 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4929 times:
Had the opportunity to "ride the fence" two years ago.
We got a "thumbs up" from the co-pilot of a COA 757 who saw us standing at the fence when they turned onto the runway, held the brakes, throttled up and blasted off. Awesome experience to feel the heat and power of those engines.
BlueFlyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 3125 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4923 times:
AirbusfanYYZ From Canada, joined Oct 2002, 1406 posts, RR: 29 Reply 23, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 4733 times:
Quoting Miamiair (Reply 2): They are running for the water to stop getting sand blasted. They call it riding the fence. A little wind at your back probably gets you into the water quicker...
Quoting Kmh1956 (Reply 3): Sounds like fun.....definitely not fun for the wussies.
Been there done it! One more thing crossed off my "things to do before I die list"
TurkishWings From Turkey, joined May 2006, 1407 posts, RR: 9 Reply 24, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 4578 times:
I stood behind departing aircraft several times when I was at SXM. At first, I stood on the beach which was a big mistake A tiny stone hit my head and it hurt like a b***ch for several days. But if you are holding on to the fence, facing the sea-not the aircraft, you should be fine... If you are wet before, you get dry in a few seconds... Its crazy but LOTS of fun...
Each and every aviation enthusiast should visit this island at least once in a lifetime....
Coffee - Tea or Me?
25 YHMYYZspotter: I remember hearing something about the beach being shut down for airport expansion. Is this still happening or was it just rumours? If so when is it g
26 TurkishWings: As far as I know, the airport extension was towards the other end of the runway....
27 FlyDreamliner: Huh, when I go to St. Maarten I'll have to bring my hunting jumpsuit and my grinding mask so I can survive getting sandblasted by a 744. I wonder wha
28 ZakHH: Dunno if this one was on here before. Probably yes. Nice anyway.
29 Toering: A Corsair 744 about killed me when I attempted to "ride the fence" last January. I tell everyone that was the dumbest thing I have ever done..... but
30 Kevin777: I hope they're not changing anything at RWY 09 at SXM!!!!.... At least I wanna go there first..! Does anybody know exactly what they're doing??/ Hope
31 AlitaliaMD11: In August I had the great experience of visiting Maho. I thought I had cleared the threshold behind a Corsair 747-400 but forgot to take into acount t
32 Jonno: Maho looks like the perfect honeymoon spot for two a.netter newlyweds! Imagine, all day, looking at aircraft taking off and landing, w/a cool drink in
33 Lredlefsen: Actually, in my very limited experience at another airport in the Caribbean, the widebodies give you *less* blast than, say, a 727. I think it has to
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