NZ to begin flights to Antarctica
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Mabel Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Messages: 4811 |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 24 Sep 19:47 http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/stick-the-landing-airline-plans-antarctic-ice-runway Interesting. I don't see how it could possibly be lucrative for the airline, but it will make life easier for all the scientists based in Antarctica. |
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FLX Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Number of messages: 3976 |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 25 Sep 1:08 They're talking about only 2 charter flights per season so it's peanuts in terms of Rev$ & traffic volume for NZ overall. Though I hv a gut feeling that @ least part of NZ's 763ER fleet is almost constantly sitting idle @ the moment.....this is a good opportunity to earn some charter $(Possibly good margin too due to gov't contract and lack of competitors!) fm under-utilized capacity. For me, the most interesting aspect about this op is the plan to NOT to refuel in Antarctica for the return flight to AKL. 763ER will be a good choice(As opposed to a 320/737NG) for its long range+fuel capacity but that also means landing weight will be much higher(i.e. Loaded with fuel for the return trip) than a normal 763ER would upon arrival in Antarctica......on an icy rwy......hmmm, the assigned pilots must be pretty good @ ice skating. |
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OldEuropeAirbus Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Number of messages: 892 |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 25 Sep 9:01 I guess they overcame the trauma from Flight 901... |
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Dulles_Flyer Joined: 01 Jun 2025 Number of messages: |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 25 Sep 11:21 Interesting to see how they will modify the 763's with skis. |
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90-115 Joined: 01 Jun 2025 Number of messages: |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 25 Sep 16:38 I don't imagine they are talking skis. Landing on ice shouldn't be much different than concrete/asphalt. Groove the ice and sipe the tires you shouldn't notice much difference. |
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Dulles_Flyer Joined: 01 Jun 2025 Number of messages: |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 25 Sep 17:55 If they have an ice runway or the ability to clear one off, then maybe, but I know that C-130 flights to Greenland have to be retrofitted with skis. |
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Mabel Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Number of messages: 4811 |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 25 Sep 18:53 I don't think the 319s that sometimes land on the ice runway in Antarctica have skis, do they? In any event, the ice is so compacted and the climate in Antarctica so dry that the ice surface has almost the same drag/friction as asphalt. |
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captain bill Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Number of messages: 5808 |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 26 Sep 22:39 The old DC-6 that flew down to Antartica for many years only had wheels. The runway is so long you don't have to use brakes but the taxi back to the terminal hut takes forever. |
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FLX Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Number of messages: 3976 |
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Topic: NZ to begin flights to Antarctica - Sent 26 Sep 11:13 Suggest go back and re-read the article again. Specifically mentioned the plan is for NZ's 763ER to use no skiis, land on ice rwy prepared with grooves. BTW, military 752s, C17s, C5s, etc. without skiis hv been operating into that particular ice rwy on a regular basis for ages. |
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