southpawcaptures

travel

Toppix SXM Aviation Photo Contest

​     And so it begins, the first annual Sint Maarten Aviation Photography Competition has started.

     At least 15 participants have registered ​for this fist time event which runs from March 17th to 23rd.   All involved must stay on the island the entire week (which could get a bit pricey this time of year) and be present for judging and prize presentation which could be the reason for lack of participation.  All registration fees will be donated to support the Breast Cancer Awareness Program on Sint Maarten.

     The Competition rules are pretty simple, images must be taken between March 18th and March 22nd and the aircraft pictured must be depicted with a St Maarten Theme in the background, que all images with large planes and pretty ladies in the background.  

     Each participant is allowed to enter a maximum of three images.  The grand prize winner will take home $2,500USD. The best 6 photos will be exhibited at SXM airport for the next four months.​

​As for this photographer, I could not make it down for the event so I leave you with my best images from SXM. ​

travel

American Airlines debuts 777-300 on JFK-LHR route

In what was deemed by one American Airlines official as a "low key" event, AA showed off there new Boeing 777-300ER at John F. Kennedy Airport on Friday afternoon as it made its LHR to JFK debut .  In Typical New York fashion the weather was subpar and the aircraft arrived about 2 hours late but that didn't stop the awaiting passengers from peering out the window to get a look at the sleek looking plane painted in the "New American" colors as it pulled into the gate.

The 777-300ER is a welcomed upgrade on the New York JFK- London Heathrow route with several new service amenities including three classes of service that include fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats as well its "Main Cabin Extra" seats in coach.  The aircraft has international WiFi capability and a fully stocked self-service bar in the premium cabin.  

And even the crew quarters seem spacious with rooms for the Flight and Cabin crews Forward and aft of the aircraft.

In April, the 777-300ER service will be expanded to AA's New York JFK-Sao Paulo route.


travel

Danger: Jet Blast

      Most people come to St Maarten's Maho beach to watch planes pass several feet above their heads, but others come for the extra thrill of standing several yards behind a jumbo jet as it throttles to full power going down the runway. ​

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