Plans can change very fast in Antarctica. The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) usually schedules two days for visitors to prepare in Christchurch, New Zealand, before they fly to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. But the runways in McMurdo are made of ice, and warmer weather this week had melted away one runway and was turning another into slush. That meant that the group TFK was part of would have to fly on an aircraft—the LC-130 Hercules—specially outfitted with skis. Skis are required because the wheels of a regular aircrafts landing gear would cut deep ruts into the soft ice of the runway. The crews who fly the Hercules with skis are from the New York State Air National Guard. The Guard has 10 planes and 26 crews who take USAP staff, scientists, and visitors to and from Antarctica. Our two-day prep time was shortened to one day because a Hercules with skis was available right away.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:05:01 +0000
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