Cameraman captures 'insanely low' plane takeoff at Caribbean airport


Cameraman captures 'insanely low' plane takeoff at Caribbean airport
Cameraman captures 'insanely low' plane takeoff at Caribbean airport






A man has filmed the moment a plane took off seemingly right above his head at an airport in the Caribbean.

The Princess Juliana International Airport is famous for its nail-bitingly close landings and takeoffs right next to the popular tourist hotspot, Maho Beach.

But, apparently, footage from this angle is rare.

See also: Queenstown voted world's best runway view 2015

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The footage was uploaded to YouTube with the title 'INSANELY LOW MD-80 TAKEOFF FROM ST MAARTEN PRINCESS JULIANA AIRPORT!', and one user wrote: "Awesome!!! This is what you CAN get at this airport when the planes are landing in the opposite direction. But, this is most definitely the lowest takeoff footage that I've ever seen from St. Maarten... Would love to have actually been there for that.:)"

The cameraman himself is obviously very excited about his footage, and exclaims: "See that? That was worth losing my hat over."

However, according to the Daily Mail, a sign warns sunbathers and plane spotters that you could lose more than your hat if you get too close.

It reads: "Danger: Jet blast of departing and arriving aircraft can cause severe physical harm and/or death."

Cameraman captures 'insanely low' plane takeoff at Caribbean airport
Cameraman captures 'insanely low' plane takeoff at Caribbean airport



Indeed, in 2012, a video emerged of a woman being sent headfirst into a curb from a plane's jet blast as it took off at the airport.

According to The Weather Channel, the airport's short runway length (7,150 feet), mean "planes on their final approach need to fly over the beach at minimal altitude, and pilots have been known to become disoriented regarding their perceived altitude when operating under visual flight rules because the approach to the runway is over water".

It adds: "The departure is even more difficult than the approach, with a turn required to avoid mountains in the departure path."



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