We're off to SXM.........

[Greg]

Can you say queue ballooning?

Should be some nice shots to make us jealous.

[Bruce]

About SXM

How frequent is the traffic at SXM? Like, is it a continuous flow of aircraft like some of the bigger airports or just every few hours? Also, what happens if they take off over the beach then what do you shoot - is there a spotting area on the other side?

Someday I might have enough money to go there...for now all I can afford is the junkyard
I will get some cool shots of EI-DLA.


bruce

[PolishAir42]

Bruce Ive never been to SXM but these are my speculations.

I believe there is only 1 traffic pattern. IE aircraft land over the beach and takeoff the opposite direction toward the mountains.

I can bet you anything there is not a constant flow of traffic like you might see at your local 30+million pax airport.

[Chris Kilroy]

SXM isn't the busiest airport in the world, but it's definitely not the slowest, either. Our busiest day down there was Saturday, when we had 15 scheduled jet arrivals (including a Surinam Airways MD-80), and a couple of Canadian charters (Skyservice, Westjet). Slowest day was Tuesday, when only three AA 752s, a US 752, and a DCA DC-9 were scheduled.

In addition to the jet traffic, though, there is TONS of smaller stuff (LIAT, Winair, CaribStar, CaribSun, Air Caraibes, etc.), not to mention the odd out cargo plane (Amerijet 722(W), N912AL CV-580, and even a Dutch P-3 Orion.

Regarding the traffic pattern.. yes, 95% of the time aircraft land and depart 09. The will depart 27 on occasion, however, although this would not normally be done because the prevailing winds at Juliana are generally between 060 and 150.

I do have a pretty nice shot of a Delta 757 departing runway 27 over the beach on its way back to Atlanta though.

Here are a couple more shots that are special from the trip. Enjoy!

[photoid=134269]

[photoid=134271]

[photoid=134270]

[Derf]

Man, those are some Sweet Shots CK!

[Leftseat86]

Erm, that last one is mine.

-C