A Plane has Landed!

October 22, 2017: Instead of building another post on the Basler visit I will repeat my post from 2013. The Basler that landed today from England's Station Rothera on the Antarctic Peninsula was on the ground for refueling on its way 835 miles to McMurdo. I labeled today's pictures 2017. All others are from 2013.

2017: The Basler DC-3 flew from Rothera on the Antarctic Peninsula to the left, landed for refueling at the South Pole (vertical orange sticker) then to McMurdo (directly down from the SP to another orange marker).

2017: In the command center overlooking the skiway. I just came from the gym around the corner.

2017: The Basler DC-3 ready to take on fuel.

2017: Freshies!

2017: The Basler on the way to McMurdo on the lower left.

From 2013:

Another Kenn Borek Airlines plane from Calgary, Canada landed at the Pole for refueling. The Basler cruises at 195 knots, with a range of over 2,000 miles. It carries 18+ passengers. The crew brought in more fresh fruit and vegetables. This week I am living large with two bananas, an orange, and fresh squash in my salad.

Another Arctic aircraft is the Basler BT-67. This aircraft is built on a retrofitted Douglas DC-3 airframe.

Its configuration makes the Basler suitable for long distance operations between Antarctic destinations and flies with a crew of four.

This "taildragger" is used by the Australian Antarctic Program.

A retractable wheeled ski equipped undercarriage with an aerosurface for more lift.

A very interesting configuration.

Indiana Jones flies a DC-3!

The Basler rear wheel is not boarded so it digs quite a path into the ice.

Video of Basler South Pole landing.

After a 4 day weather delay at the South Pole the Basler finally taxis to the skiway for a flight to McMurdo.

The heat from the engine exhaust creates a fog. 

I talked with one of the crew members. This has been their longest transit yet at 3 weeks. A normal deployment from Calgary to McMurdo is 8 days. He said it is an exciting trip but weather delays can make it rather brutal.