People left shocked after watching video of a plane landing on the world’s shortest runway overlooking a cliff
- The runway is only 400m long
- Unpredictable weather conditions make the landing more dangerous
- The runway is also surrounded by cliffs that drop into the sea
Published on Mar 12, 2024 at 1:46 PM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Mar 12, 2024 at 1:46 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on Saba Island is home to the world’s shortest runway and presents a unique and exhilarating challenge for pilots.
One of the primary challenges faced by the pilots when landing on the Island is the short runway of 400m (1,312 ft).
In addition to that, the runway is surrounded by high hills on one side and cliffs that drop into the ocean on either side.
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It is no doubt quite an exhilarating but risky maneuver for anyone who has tried to land on the world’s shortest runway.
There’s a real possibility that an airplane could under/overshoot the runway during landing or takeoff and end up in the sea or crash on the rocky cliffs.
Therefore, the landings need to be precise and meticulously planned.
Despite being home to the world’s shortest runway, the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on Saba Island is not one of the most dangerous airports to land at.
Many airports around the world are dangerous and downright terrifying to touchdown at.
In the case of the Saba Island airport, the most terrifying thing is not the short landing strip but the weather.
The Island is known for its unpredictable weather conditions and strong crosswinds, which can further complicate the landing process.
The pilots must carefully calculate speed, altitude, and descent rate to ensure a safe touchdown on the limited runway space available.
Small propeller aircraft are the only planes that can land on the world’s shortest runway.
However, even these aircraft can’t come to an instant halt like a fighter jet.
The most common aircraft to land there are the Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander.
Despite the challenges, landing on the world’s short runway is a testament to the skill and expertise of pilots around the world.
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Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
