Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

Category: Aviation News

The pilot took off from Christchurch, New Zealand in his C-17 Globemaster cargo plane and six hours later landed in on the six mile ice runway at the U.S. Antarctic research center at McMurdo Station. Landing on an ice runway is impressive enough, but what made this even more so was the fact he landed at night in a driving snowstorm! This was made possible by night-vision goggles and opens up accessibility to the research center for year round supply and medical flights to the bases on the continent. Until now, flights to Antarctica were stopped for six months (February to August) at the beginning of the southern hemisphere's winter

After months of practice runs by pilots using the goggles, the flight was made on Thursday. The plane's own lights reflected off traffic cones, allowing it to land without electrical runway lights which are all but impossible to maintain in the frozen environment.

Although fresh supplies would always be appreciated by those manning the research stations on the frozen continent, perhaps the most significant realization of this success would be medical evacuation flights. There have been at least three in recent years - the one most publicized was the U.S. doctor who developed breast cancer while stationed there. The night-flight breakthrough also opens up new opportunities for research, says Lou Sanson, head of the New Zealand government's Antarctic research team.

"If we look ahead 10 years, it may offer important new opportunities for winter science, be it the study of sea life growth or emperor penguins in winter -- it gives the ability to put scientists into there for a short time rather than the whole winter," he said.

Our congratulations go to all involved in this breakthrough - especially to the team who were courageous enough to fly the plane into charted territory using uncharted means.
The pilot took off from Christchurch, New Zealand in his C-17 Globemaster cargo plane and six hours later landed in on the six mile ice runway at the U.S. Antarctic research center at McMurdo Station. Landing on an ice runway is impressive enough, but what made this even more so was the fact he landed at night in a driving snowstorm! This was made possible by night-vision goggles and opens up accessibility to the research center for year round supply and medical flights to the bases on the continent. Until now, flights to Antarctica were stopped for six months (February to August) at the beginning of the southern hemisphere's winter

After months of practice runs by pilots using the goggles, the flight was made on Thursday. The plane's own lights reflected off traffic cones, allowing it to land without electrical runway lights which are all but impossible to maintain in the frozen environment.

Although fresh supplies would always be appreciated by those manning the research stations on the frozen continent, perhaps the most significant realization of this success would be medical evacuation flights. There have been at least three in recent years - the one most publicized was the U.S. doctor who developed breast cancer while stationed there. The night-flight breakthrough also opens up new opportunities for research, says Lou Sanson, head of the New Zealand government's Antarctic research team.

"If we look ahead 10 years, it may offer important new opportunities for winter science, be it the study of sea life growth or emperor penguins in winter -- it gives the ability to put scientists into there for a short time rather than the whole winter," he said.

Our congratulations go to all involved in this breakthrough - especially to the team who were courageous enough to fly the plane into charted territory using uncharted means.