Say goodbye San Marteen..

[jrpilot]

Some women from Switzerland is suing SXM (the airport) because an AF747 was taking off and she was injuried...if any of you people have been there you can see huge signs posted everywhere about jet blast and other harms....It just pisses me the F' off to see things like this happen...Oh and she won the court dispute and SXM now has to pay for her injuries and fix the "problem"...just another good thing being taken away..some one on another forum said
" This is ridiculous.
What's next.....airports being sued for disturbing the peace by allowing airplanes to actually take off ?"

airport pixs.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/166027/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/211543/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/528889/L/  
(very large)


Your thoughts???

[C]

Ridiculous...

[Craig.]

well since princess juliana airport is being redeveloped in the coming years it wont matter that much. The plans call for runway extension into Maho bay, which will mean Maho beach being destroyed so an entire spotting location will be gone. As to what will be done to fix it in the mean time. Prob not much few extra signs maybe. Having seen the results of the fence being clipped in the past by aircraft too low, i doubt they will shove a huge wall up. Maybe another fence a little further back.
And so you know there is only 1 sign in english, although unlikely what happens if the woman doesnt read english? that will be likely another change.
To you or i it may seem obvious that you can get hurt from jet blast, but what about those who dont know its like a mini tornado coming out the back? What irks me is people who know a little about aviation think everyone should know it.

[jrpilot]

Yes but when I see something in RED wrighting I think....hmmm...WARNING.....Also is it not cammon sense to move away from the rocks (which she was "injuried" by) when you have a 747 going FULL THRUST to depart...I guess people must ruin everything

[Craig.]

Jr, a single 747 engine a full thrust can throw a car sitting 30 yards behind it some 100 yards+ I have seen a video of a person standing by this fence being thrown right back towards the beach. Whether it be this woman or another it was bound to happen one day or another. And like i said with the re-development it will  be completely changed. and all photo opportunities will be gone. Even if they put a wall there is still the opportunity for the low flying shots. However since i will never be going there as i cant afford it, it doesnt bother me in the slightest.

[chomp_rock]

What is this world coming too? This is like the 50th case I have seen where someone is suing someone else for their own complete and utter stupidity!

[Citationpilot]

I was in Sint Marteen last month. The jetblast isn't really that bad. You'd have to be very weak (or stupid) to injure yourself. I saw many cars drive 10 yards behind 757s and A340s departing with no problem so that whole 747 thing may not be entirerly true. Also, there are two warning signs in English, but you can hardly see either from the beach, they are very easy to miss.

[chomp_rock]

That may be so Citationpilot but anyone with half a brain in their head should know that aircraft take off by moving large amounts of air very fast and that it can be dangerous.

[GWSimulations]

[quote]What's next.....
quote]
Animal rights protestors suing them for birdstrikes?

[Saratoga]

This is really stupid, but isn't suprising at all. People will sue for anything, just for the money and publicity, even if they know they are going to lose. My opinion is they ought to extend 27 out and leave 9 how it is, complete with Maho beach. It is a beautiful spotting area. What I am thinking though is until 9 is extended and the beach destroyed, there will be some sort of heavier wall built, they won't waste money on cement or make anything too permenant that could damage the aircraft, but something to make the politicians shut up.