If you like airplanes and (very strong) thrills, there is no doubt that jet blasting is a hobby you would like to try at least once. At your own risk.
What is jet blasting? This consists of getting behind a plane during takeoff and trying to resist the blast caused by the thrust of the engines. Few airports allow you to be so close to a plane at takeoff and the most famous of them is undoubtedly the Princess Juliana airport in Saint Martin, West Indies.
The runway is indeed separated from the beach by only 20m, which makes it a great spot to see the planes landing and taking off from very close.
This is for the landings.
For the takeoff part, you can stand less than 20m away from the plane and be blown by the blast caused by the jet engines when the plane puts the throttle to the maximum to take off on the runway. It is a very popular pastime for aviation fans on vacation there.
With a “small” aircraft it is already powerful.
With a bigger aircraft it becomes really borderline. On this video you will see a tourist thrown head first against a small wall. (don’t trust the preview, the video works).
And when it is a Boeing 747 with its 4 huge engines which at 40% of their power generate a blast of 190 km/h 60m behind…
Jet Blasting has caused several serious injuries in St. Martin (but less than one would think). However, in 2017 a tourist died as a result of her injuries.
However, it cannot be said that people are not warned.
