It's always good to combine any travel with some airplane porn, so a forced delayed departure from St Maarten (TNCM) because of the East Coast snow storms was greeted with delight. It provided the opportunity to enjoy the sensational views of the runway activity on the international airfield there. Recognized as the shortest international runway certified to handle 747s, the approach is the one that we've all seen in videos coming in over a seaside beach. Yes, it's really that close and that low that the aircraft arrive...
The nature of the Caribbean islands, generally quite rugged, with little flat ground, makes the adoption of the STOL-capable Twin Otter by regional airlines a natural fit. This aircraft was typical of the many Otters seen during the afternoon on the approach path.
And the Twin Otter is pretty much the only commercial aircraft capable of getting into the runway on Saba, where there are only 1,300 feet available. It's billed as the shortest, international, commercial runway in the World. Sadly, didn't get to see an aircraft arrive there, but it must be pretty impressive. This T-Shirt, on sale on the Island says it all...
It's always good to combine any travel with some airplane porn, so a forced delayed departure from St Maarten (TNCM) because of the East Coast snow storms was greeted with delight. It provided the opportunity to enjoy the sensational views of the runway activity on the international airfield there. Recognized as the shortest international runway certified to handle 747s, the approach is the one that we've all seen in videos coming in over a seaside beach. Yes, it's really that close and that low that the aircraft arrive...
The nature of the Caribbean islands, generally quite rugged, with little flat ground, makes the adoption of the STOL-capable Twin Otter by regional airlines a natural fit. This aircraft was typical of the many Otters seen during the afternoon on the approach path. 
And the Twin Otter is pretty much the only commercial aircraft capable of getting into the runway on Saba, where there are only 1,300 feet available. It's billed as the shortest, international, commercial runway in the World. Sadly, didn't get to see an aircraft arrive there, but it must be pretty impressive. This T-Shirt, on sale on the Island says it all...
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