This season's 22-week "summer" period has finally kicked off following the worst start in 40 years thanks to atrocious weather conditions across swathes of Antarctica. The delay of over two weeks has seen an obvious backlog of people and resources accumulating in Christchurch with the two United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemasters 08-8197 and 08-8200 having sat idle since 27 September 2018.
08-8197 made the first run south on 16 October 2018 as ICE04 flying from Christchurch to Phoenix Field and back. Another round trip was conducted on the 17th as ICE05, 18th as ICE06, 20th as ICE08, 22nd as ICE10, 23rd as ICE11, 24th as ICE12, 30th as ICE13 and 31st as ICE14. 02 November saw 08-8197 operate as ICE15 then as ICE16 on the 5th. It departed for Kaleoloa on the 6th as RCH147.
08-8200 made its first run south on 20 October 2018 as ICE07. This mission carried Southern Lakes Helicopters AS350 Squirrel ZK-IBR. It Then flew a round trip to Phoenix Field and back on the 23rd as ICE09. From Christchurch to Hawaii on the 25th as RCH979.
Skytrader's Airbus A319ACJ VH-VHD arrived in Christchurch 14 October 2018 from Melbourne.
It made a round trip from Christchurch to Phoenix Field and back 16 and 18 October 2018. On the 20th it flew from Christchurch to Phoenix Field then to Melbourne. The A319 then became the first Airbus to land at the Terra Nova Bay ice field on 23 October making the 11 hour return flight from Hobart without refueling (3650km each way). It delivered personnel to the Italian's Mario Zucchelli Station. VH-VHD flew a round trip from Hobart to Wilkins and back 24 October.
A third C17 arrived 17 October 2018.
08-8195 flew into Christchurch from Kaleoloa as RCH321. It departed Christchurch early afternoon 19 October destined for Kona.
Federal Aviation Administration Challenger 601
N86 arrived in Christchurch from Pago Pago 19 October as "Flight Check 86". It departed for Phoenix Field 23 October and returned to Christchurch late 27 October.
C17 Globemaster
92-3293 arrived in Christchurch early afternoon 20 October from Pago Pago as RCH168. Appears to be a first visit by this Charleston based airframe. It departed 21 October on return to Pago Pago.
Lockheed LC130 Hercules
73-3300 and
93-1096 arrived in Christchurch 21 October from Pago Pago. 73-3300 was at Waterkloof Air Base, South Africa last month and both Hercules now feature the 8 bladed prop mod.
73-3300 made an attempt to fly from Christchurch to Williams Field 07 November as FROZN01 but the flight returned to Christchurch. A successful flight south was made 09 November.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9096537
Lockheed LC130 Hercules
83-0490 and
92-1094 arrived in Christchurch 22 October from Pago Pago.
This is the 109th Airlift Wing's 31st year of supporting Antarctic operations
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/296895/109th-airlift-wing-commences-annual-support-national-science-foundation-support-antarctica
Boeing C17 Globemaster III
97-0045 arrived in Christchurch 26 October as RCH108, presumably from Pago Pago. It departed for Hickam 01 November.
Four AS350 Squirrels have been noted in the last few days preparing to be airlifted from Christchurch to the ice. All have been mentioned in previous posts. The two Kiwi machines noted 26 October and the two Canadians on 28 October. They were noted at Nelson on the morning of 27 October.
Lynden Air Cargo Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules
N405LC conducted its first run from Christchurch to Terra Nova Bay and back 30 October 2018 as LYC900. A second round trip was conducted 01 November 2018 carrying the two Canadian AS350's.
United States Air Force C17 Globemaster III
08-8199 arrived in Christchurch 05 November from Hickam as RCH147. It flew from Christchurch to Phoenix Field and back as ICE17 on the 12th, ICE 18 on the 13th.
United States Air Force LC130 Hercules
83-0493 arrived in Christchurch 13 November from Pago Pago as SKIER74.
A big shout out of thanks to those providing images!
