How difficult is it for you to land at Princess Juliana?

Question

Obviously, for pilots
Do you think the runway is too short? Not trying to influence your answers.

Answer 1

Not very...one just doesn't have time (or length...runway 09/27 is 7,000 feet) to grease it on. Most landings in a heavy jet are solid touchdowns. There's usually a stiff headwind that slows the approach ground speed and shortens the roll out. It's really not that the runway is terribly short...it's more that the road and beach are so close to the threshold that makes it seem more exciting than the average landing.

But the runway length is a concern for both pilots and authorities...also, it's not in compliance with ICAO regulations. There's already work underway to lengthen the runway and add overrun areas.

http://www.pjiae.com/phase-two.html

It's less nerve-wracking than landing on KDCA's runway 19 (6,869 foot length) where one has to make a steep right turn at the last minute of the approach and exit the runway as fast as humanly possible because of heavy traffic!

But give me KJFK's 13R/31L any day! (14,572 foot length.)

Answer 2

I have landed a C-5 Galaxy on a 6,000 foot runway before. (And this is real life, not a simulator). The C-5 is slightly larger than a Boeing 747. It can be done.

Answer 3

Princess Juliana's Runway is not the longest runway out there, but is it pretty easy to land on. the only thing is that your approach has to be much lower than usual.
if you are usinf flight simulator, try landing ant St. Barthelemy.

Answer 4

Tis tough man I tried landing the CRJ 700 in Flight simulator X demo.