Talk about a low flying aircraft!
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=505764

Amazing!

Before I even opened the photo I knew what it was going to be. That exactly how I have come home from every single trip I have been on in the past 13 years. The photo is Princess Juliana Airport runway at Maho Bay on St. Maarten.

You can even sit at the bar, "Sunset Beach Bar," on the far right hand side of the photo and listen to the pilots talk to the control tower as they come in. We always sit there when we are waiting on guests flights to come in.

I've also been one of many people stupid enough to stand at the fence end of that runway when Air France takes off in the opposite direction. I was nearly blown into the ocean and have seen others actually end up that way.

Gotta be fake. If a plane were really coming at those people THAT low, they would be running for their lives. They were looking at something else and somebody photoshopped the plane into the picture.

Statia, I stand corrected.

There's a similar place in DC at Gravely Point on the north side of National Airport, but the airport doesn't permit such large aircraft.

I've never thought about visiting St. Maarten, but now it's on my must see list!

Here's another shot for those who still don't believe it's real:
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=15

Thanks for the additional pic, jnn. I very well might be on that Air France jet.

I usually come into SXM on AA, AF or WinAir.

The second pic is taken from the balcony of one of the rooms at Maho Resort.

This airport runway has also been on Ripley's Believe it or Not.

Statia,
I'm surprised they allow people to get so close. I couldn't do it without ear plugs!
This web site has got lots of similar pictures (I know I won't get much work done now!).
Here's one from the old Hong Kong airport:
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=32673

jnn, they eventually posted warning signs in the area after a woman sued the island territory for being hurt after standing behind the runway as a jet was taking off. I think the case is still pending. However, I don't think they can stop people standing there completely since there is a road there that can not be closed or blocked because it goes to another area on the other side of the runway. There has even been a parked car blown off the road and into the water when an AF jet has taken off in the past.

We no longer stand at the end of the runway ourselves when the jets depart (once was enough), but we do like to sit at Sunset Beach Bar and watch other people get knocked over. I only ended up with gravel from the runway inside my tennis shoes when I did it, but I was holding on for dear life to the jeep I was standing near and was almost taken off my feet.

Another interesting fact is that when the aircraft take off in the opposite direction from the ocean, they are headed directly for a mountain and have to make a hard bank right immediately after take-off. That's always a comforting thought when you are departing. Especially when you can't see in front of you.

Statia - sounds like my kind of fun! Is there a place on the mountain where you can watch the planes coming at you?

Go to airliners.net and you can see dozens of similar pictures from SXM.

But it's not the only place - for example here's a shot from Barcelona: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/163613/M/

Old Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong was also a rich location for scary photos too. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/145042/M/

I'm another fan of watching the Jumbos land at PJIA in Sint Maarten once each year. When they come in, we lie on our backs on Maho beach and watch the plane's underbellies fly low over. But at take off you have to stand behind the fence, SLIGHTLY OFF TO THE SIDE, to experience the force of the wind being pushed out from a jumbo's engines. You can understand the enormous power that it takes to get that thing in the air. I've seen so many people being pushed back and/or being sand blasted from standing directly behind the departing aircraft. Two were injured badly from this foolishness. It is also interesting to watch the incoming waves on the beach being pushed back out to the sea.

Gardyloo, I was just about to post those sites too. I have them book-marked and look at them wistfully in anticipation of my next trip to SXM each year.

Theres another bar closer to the Maho hotel which is built in a boat that has a mermaid figurehead, where you can sip and watch.

Wow. I have never seen anything like this. I'm terrified of flying (pretty ironic for someone who's traveled as much as I have), but I think that in a weird way, this almost comforts me. We leave in a week and seeing any plane that's airborne is a reminder for me that planes CAN fly! Maybe I should go there to really see up close!

We were in St. Maarten earlier this year -- and yes, the runway is that close to the beach.

If you can find a shot of the landing on Saba (smallest commercial runway in the world), it makes SXM look like a piece of cake. Saba's runway is about the size of an aircraft carrier, and it drops off at cliffs on either end. I have to land there often enroute to SXM or when I go there for a long weekend. The landing is always frightening, but the take-off is rather fun.

When I have more time I'll have to check out some more runways from the site that jnn gave.

Here's a shot of Saba for you...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=409991

That first picture sent a chill down my spine. I'd like to look at the other pix, but don't have the nerve. I get the same chill when I see trees in water. I think the reality in the picture contradicts "reality".

Planes should be flying way up in the sky and trees shouldn't have wet feet.

Absolutely unbelievable.

Thanks for sharing.

Best wishes,

Rex

I really am amazed at the people who are sitting comfortably while the aircraft is hovering so closely above them.

wow.