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U.S. Antarctic Program aircraft and supply ship operations, 2009-2010
season
AIRCRAFT AND SUPPLY SHIP MISSIONS
| Transport |
Missions |
| LC-130, Twin Otter, and Basler missions (round trips) within Antarctica |
|
 |
| Amundsen-Scott South Pole |
260 |
|
| West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide |
52 |
|
| AGAP South |
12 |
|
| Automated Geophysical Observatory (AGO) 1 |
3 |
|
| Long Duration Balloon |
3 |
|
| Beardmore |
2 |
|
| Byrd Camp |
44 |
|
| Siple Dome |
5 |
|
| Shakleton Glacier |
5 |
|
| Patriot Hills |
4 |
|
| FAA missions |
10 |
|
| Total LC-130 (USAF/109th), Twin Otter, and Basler missions within Antrctica |
400 |
|
AS-350-B2 and Bell 212 helicopter operations within Antarctica
(These amounts do not include flight-hours provided to Antarctica New Zealand as part of the logistics exchanged quid pro quo between the two national programs in Antarctica.) |
1,843 flight hours in support of 78 groups or activiteis (PHI) |
|
| Christchurh/McMurdo round trips |
|
|
| C-17 (USAF/AMC, September) |
4 |
|
| C-17 (USAF/AMC, October/February) |
61 |
|
| LC-130 (USAF/109th, October-February) |
9 |
|
| C-130 (RNZAF, November-December) |
9 |
|
| B-757 (RNZAF, December) |
2 |
|
| A-319 Australian AIRBUS |
8 |
|
| L-100 (wheeled) SAFAIR |
5 |
|
| Cargo ship American Tern (Military Sealift Command, February) |
1 |
|
| Tanker (military Sealift Command ship, January) |
1 |
|
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Research ships Laurence M. Gould (LMG), left, and Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) docked at Palmer Station, Anvers Island, Antarctica. The smaller LMG ferries personnel and cargo routinely between Punta Arenas, Chile, and Palmer Station and collects some data while crossing the Drake Passage. The larger NBP is the primary research ship for the U.S. Antarctic Program. (NSF/USAP photo by Zee Evans, Raytheon Polar Services Company.) |
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LOAD COMPARISONS, CHRISTCHURCH/MCMURDO
| Equipment |
Maximum load |
Passengers (RT) |
| Cargo Ship |
15,000,000 pounds |
|
|
| Tanker |
9,000,000 pounds |
|
|
| C-17 |
120,000 pounds |
102 |
|
| C-130 |
20,000 pounds |
50 |
|
| LC-130 (ski or wheel) |
10,500 pounds |
36 |
|
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|
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AIRCRAFT DESCRIPTIONS, 2008-2009 SEASON
Full Name of Aircraft |
Short Name |
F/R
[a] |
W/S
[b] |
No. of Aircraft |
Flight Level or Altitude (ft/m) |
PaxCapacity |
Max RangeMiles/km
[c] |
Type of Fuel Used |
LC-130 Hercules |
Herc or LC |
F |
S |
8 |
Up to 29,000/8841 |
60 |
2,500/4025 |
JP-8 |
AS350B2 |
A-Star or Squirrel |
R |
skids |
2 |
14,000/4,268 |
5 |
325/523 |
JP-5/8 |
Bell 212 |
Huey |
R |
skids |
2 |
12,000/3,658 |
9 |
200[350]/
322[564] |
JP-5/8 |
DHC-6 |
Twin Otter |
F |
S |
3 |
18,000/5,488 |
18 |
700/1127 |
JP-8 |
Basler
DC-3T |
Basler |
F |
S |
1 |
14,500/4,300 |
18 |
1100/1771
2478/3989 |
JP-8 |
Airbus A-319 |
A-319 |
F |
W |
1 |
45,000/13,720 |
86 |
6000/9677 |
JP-8 |
C-17 |
Globemaster III |
F |
W |
1 |
45,000/13,720 |
102 |
5000/8050 |
JP-8 |
- [a] Fixed (F) or rotary (R)
- [b] Wheeled (W) or ski (S) Equipped
- [c] For helicopters, also indicate maximum range over water (in brackets)
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LC-130 airplanes parked on the Annual Sea Ice Runway near McMurdo Station, Ross Island. The Hercules airplanes, flown by the New York Air National Guard, are the primary transportation for cargo and personnel to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The Royal Society Range can be seen in the background. (NSF/USAP photo by Jordan Dickens, Raytheon Polar Services Company.) |
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