St Martin (SXM)
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St Martin (SXM)
Reading the website for SXM (Juliana Airport, St Martin / Sint Maarten), I see they have a plan to add starter strips at both ends.
I understand that the new terminal opened last year (October), but couldn't see any photos suggesting work had been done on the runway.
Will be nearby over the next couple of weeks, and was wanting to pop down to Maho beach. I'm assuming that there's still plenty to see there, and that Thursdays are still the best days for the heavies?
I understand that the new terminal opened last year (October), but couldn't see any photos suggesting work had been done on the runway.
Will be nearby over the next couple of weeks, and was wanting to pop down to Maho beach. I'm assuming that there's still plenty to see there, and that Thursdays are still the best days for the heavies?
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Have a look at A.net or Jetphotos.net; SXM seems to be the favoured airport for photos. There doesn't seem to be any evidence of runway work at the beach end and frankly, I don't see how they can without encroaching onto the beach, which - for a tourist island - would probably be self-defeating.
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Work is in hand in the 27 undershoot - but the work does not seem to be expeditious. They have reclaimed some land into Simpson bay and will divert the road around that end.
Wind is predominently easterly and hence large % of movements off 09.
The website is always slow to catch up.
Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest - all the exec jets tend to dep on Sunday p.m.
Wind is predominently easterly and hence large % of movements off 09.
The website is always slow to catch up.
Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest - all the exec jets tend to dep on Sunday p.m.
I was there three weeks ago.
Not a lot of building activity to be seen around the runway -- in fact none at all. So don't hold your breath for a runway extension.
The remains of the old terminal and tower are currently being torn down.
The best day in winter seems to be Sunday, with KLM 744, Corsair 744, Air France A340.
And if there's not enough to see at the airport, why not go swimming at Maho Beach and/or drinking at the Sunset Beach Bar?
Aaaaah, the memories...!
Not a lot of building activity to be seen around the runway -- in fact none at all. So don't hold your breath for a runway extension.
The remains of the old terminal and tower are currently being torn down.
The best day in winter seems to be Sunday, with KLM 744, Corsair 744, Air France A340.
And if there's not enough to see at the airport, why not go swimming at Maho Beach and/or drinking at the Sunset Beach Bar?
Aaaaah, the memories...!
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I believe they are sections of runways (usually marked with arrows in the direction of travel) which can be used for taking off but not for landing.
I.e. You are given extra distance for take off runs but have to fly over the starter strip and land in the original touchdown zone as the runway now has a displaced threshold.
Many airport have them - e.g. MAN 24L etc etc.
I.e. You are given extra distance for take off runs but have to fly over the starter strip and land in the original touchdown zone as the runway now has a displaced threshold.
Many airport have them - e.g. MAN 24L etc etc.
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Sorry, just to clarify, as it is a while since those geography lessons, and I'm good at mixing these things up.
"Wind is predominently easterly and hence large % of movements off 09."
09/27 is effectively east-west (as in 90deg/270deg +/- 10), and
Easterly winds blow from (not towards) the East
Aircraft take off and land into the wind.
=> There is a good chance of getting both good views of landing a/c over Maho Beach, and a/c providing "jet blast" at said location, before banking sharply to the right just after t/o (think this only is relevant to the widebodies?).
At the moment, plan to spend all day Tuesday there (KL 747 & AF 340 due mid afternoon within about 30 mins of each other) - yes, will down a couple of drinks at Sunset Beach bar, just need to find somewhere to park the suitcase, as SXM doesn't seem to have any left luggage, and am not intending on spending a night there. Have done Saba landing on a previous occassion, am told St Barts is pretty awesome too, but will probably leave that one for another time.
"Wind is predominently easterly and hence large % of movements off 09."
09/27 is effectively east-west (as in 90deg/270deg +/- 10), and
Easterly winds blow from (not towards) the East
Aircraft take off and land into the wind.
=> There is a good chance of getting both good views of landing a/c over Maho Beach, and a/c providing "jet blast" at said location, before banking sharply to the right just after t/o (think this only is relevant to the widebodies?).
At the moment, plan to spend all day Tuesday there (KL 747 & AF 340 due mid afternoon within about 30 mins of each other) - yes, will down a couple of drinks at Sunset Beach bar, just need to find somewhere to park the suitcase, as SXM doesn't seem to have any left luggage, and am not intending on spending a night there. Have done Saba landing on a previous occassion, am told St Barts is pretty awesome too, but will probably leave that one for another time.
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Spent this afternoon at the Sunset Beach Bar, which has to be one of the only places in the world where everyone is planespotting!
Was a truly amazing experience!
To clarify on the airport itself, there is some extension work at the Eastern end of the runway, but no sign of anything going on around Maho beach. New terminal is very swish, except that wifi didn't seem to work downstairs.
Was a truly amazing experience!
To clarify on the airport itself, there is some extension work at the Eastern end of the runway, but no sign of anything going on around Maho beach. New terminal is very swish, except that wifi didn't seem to work downstairs.
