Ice Flight - Leg 4 of 5

This morning I got the ominous call, "Your ice flight has been delayed 2 hrs". There is still a group hanging around with 2 canceled attempts due to weather in Antarctica. Now our group is in line behind them for a flight.

At 10:30 am we all gathered at the CDC from where we would be transported to the flight line next door. After some orientation videos, final weigh-in and security screenings we learned that the first flight got out. Good news as this increased our chances of departing same day. Sure enough! We boarded a bus and headed to the flight line next door to where the ski outfitted C-130 transports are parked.

The flight from Christchurch NZ to McMurdo Station on Ross Island Antarctica is mostly handled by the larger jet engine transport the C-17. This late in the season the lighter propeller planes are used since the ice is not as frozen as it would normally be when the larger planes land. The ICE runway is between Ross Island and mainland Antarctica. You guessed it! Over water...

We boarded the transport and got as comfortable as one could possibly get on a cargo plane of this type. I miss Qantas already. Once everyone was situated, bags secured and cargo strapped the plane started it's engines. These things are loud! knowing this I brought along some electronic hearing protection and still had to double up using earplugs. No matter what you cannot escape the roaring hum of those massive prop engines. Once at the end of the runway the engines spooled up while the pilot held down the breaks getting the engines to the optimum RPMs needed for take off. The plane lurched forward and shook like it was angry about being held back. Suddenly the breaks were released and we were off! Another long flight..8 hrs.

I'm sure that by now you know that I like looking out the window when I fly. At times we may see things few people ever get to see. The 7th continent:

Next Post? On the Ice at McMurdo Station