Thats low!

[rickshaw]

How low?  This low!   

[PR19_Kit]

That's just got to be at Waddington, a crazy place to stand right on the runway centre-line.

[rickshaw]

I can't get over the idiots standing on step ladders, etc., to get even closer to the aircraft when it comes in!  I wonder, has an aircraft ever hit somebody there?   

[PR19_Kit]

Some years ago one aircraft landed short and hit the A-15 itself before demolishing the fence and carrying on to the runway, I can remember seeing photos of the tyre marks on the road at the time.

Normal landings there mean the aircraft clears the fence by only a couple of feet so that Turkish F-16 wasn't all that low for Waddington really. It's pretty stupid for spectators to be in that area anyway, there's flashing lights and sirens and damn great signs saying DON'T go there when an aircraft is landing, and they'd get a much better view from the proper viewing site that's a few yards south of the threshold!

[pyro-manic]

Aren't there standard "dents" in the hedge from landing Tiffies anyway?

[kitnut617]

Not a lot different to the approach to St.Maarten's airport is it ?  Only they're 747's etc landing right on top of everyone

[PR19_Kit]

But there  isn't a main road runing past the end at St Maartens.

[kitnut617]

No, but there's a beach  ----- where everybody goes and sits to watch the planes land ---- right over themselves

[NARSES2]

No, but there's a beach  ----- where everybody goes and sits to watch the planes land ---- right over themselves

Yup, it's definitely a interesting spot  If you ever go there make sure you go the French half of the island. Lovely place, like stepping back in time

[kitnut617]

When the 747's land, their wheels contact the runway just meters away from the beach ----- 

[Mossie]

No, but there's a beach  ----- where everybody goes and sits to watch the planes land ---- right over themselves

I'd like to go there sometime and experience it myself, but I would sit off to the side. I'd also like to spend a day at St Bart's I think it's called, the one with the really steep approach.

Sister-in-law was there several times due to work (beats the daily grind eh?) and despite usually being turned off by anything aviation related, was fascinated watching the landings.  She said it seemed to be a sport to run by as the jets were landing and she saw several people get moderately hurt being blasted by sand.

[rickshaw]

Compilation of low passes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zli3RAXz9e4

[PR19_Kit]

Some of those guys are un-hinged! 

But what happened to the F-14 that blew up after its low pass? That looked bad!

[scooter]

Some of those guys are un-hinged! 

But what happened to the F-14 that blew up after its low pass? That looked bad!

Either bird strike or engine failure.  Two chutes into the water though.

[Captain Canada]

Link isn't available right now......but I was watching a vid the other day of the arrivals at Waddington last year. Wow !