Aero145 From Iceland, joined Jan 2005, 3070 posts, RR: 23 Posted (6 years 6 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2861 times:
Almost everybody knows SXM from its extremely low approaches.
I like the shots from there, but this question came up in my mind just now:
Why do the aircraft landing on SXM's Runway 09 approach the runway so low? What is the point of that? As far as I know, the runway is well over 2000 meters. Has a 747 problems with stopping in 2 kilometers? From the videos I've seen, the aircraft don't land as soon as one would think while looking at the pictures...
NASBWI From Bahamas, joined Feb 2005, 1254 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2688 times:
It could be for a number of reasons. One being that though the runway isn't that short, it's really not that long, either. Something like 7,500ft? I'll have to check the stats again. Plus, having a shallower approach onto the runway might save a little wear-and-tear on the surface (as opposed to a harder touchdown from a steeper approach). Or (even more far-fetched), maaaaaybe the pilots know how popular the beach is just for that reason, and so continue to approach that way lol.
Aero145 From Iceland, joined Jan 2005, 3070 posts, RR: 23 Reply 2, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2536 times:
You've a point there about the low approaches for show-off, it's very likely in my opinion. If they come in too low, they can kill people on the beach... so why doing it if it's so dangerous?
ATAIndy From United States of America, joined May 2004, 579 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2522 times:
Quoting Aero145 (Reply 2): You've a point there about the low approaches for show-off, it's very likely in my opinion. If they come in too low, they can kill people on the beach... so why doing it if it's so dangerous?
True, but they can also brag to the other pilots about how low they came in, as evidenced by this pilot and the discussion we've had about him.
Aero145 From Iceland, joined Jan 2005, 3070 posts, RR: 23 Reply 4, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2466 times:
Quoting ATAIndy (Reply 3): True, but they can also brag to the other pilots about how low they came in, as evidenced by this pilot and the discussion we've had about him.
WN230 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 341 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (6 years 6 months 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2442 times:
Quoting Aero145 (Reply 4): But I hope they won't go lower!
If they do, we'll all be cooked! I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, but please correct me, aren't the pilots supposed to fly the plane in manually instead of having the autopilot on?
WN230
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From Iceland, joined Jan 2005, 3070 posts, 
From Bahamas, joined Feb 2005, 1254 posts, 
From United States of America, joined May 2004, 579 posts, 
I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, but please correct me, aren't the pilots supposed to fly the plane in manually instead of having the autopilot on?
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