A trial Boeing flight to the Antarctic by the Air Force is to
broaden options and not because the United States Air Force
is cutting back on its assistance, the Air Force says.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757-200, capable of
carrying about 150 passengers, made a maiden trial flight to
the frozen continent on Wednesday.
Defence spokesman Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki said the
trial flight had been about two years in the planning but had
been delayed because the "navigation system wasn't up to
speed".
Air Commodore Steve Moore said the modernisation of the
navigation system, as part of the Boeing's recent upgrade,
removed many of the limitations the aircraft had for
operating in the latitudes of McMurdo Station.
The Boeing 757-200 left Christchurch on Wednesday at 11.30am,
arrived at the United States McMurdo Station just before
4.00pm and refuelled on the ice at Pegasus Airfield before
returning to Christchurch, arriving home about midnight.
Air Commodore Steve Moore said the flight aimed to look at
the suitability of the Boeing to carry passengers to McMurdo
Station, as well as the availability of passenger handling
facilities, ground support and engineering support equipment
for aircraft maintenance.
C-130 Hercules or United States Air Force C-17s take
passengers and cargo to the Antarctic.
The Hercules can carry about 90 passengers, but mostly hauls
cargo.
The New Zealand Defence Force operates about 12 Hercules
flights to McMurdo each year, between October and April.
Using the Boeing 757 could significantly increase New
Zealand's cargo and passenger capacity to Scott Base.
Sqn Ldr Tamariki said the Air Force's two Boeings had a side
cargo door, which meant they could take a lot of passengers
as well as cargo.
When asked whether there was a question of the US cutting
back on its assistance to New Zealand, he said there was not.
The trial flight was to see whether taking a Boeing to the
Antarctic was feasible.
"We are just looking at different options of best utilising
the aircraft we have got."
The use of the Boeing could free up the Hercules for use
specifically carrying cargo, he said.
Sqn Ldr Tamariki said there was a possibility of another
trial flight next summer.
sarah.harvey@odt.co.nz
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