Ice Runways Near the South Pole
Abstract
Following an examination of air photographs of the Transantarctic Mountains, 37 blue-ice areas were reconnoitered from the air, using a ski-wheel Twin Otter operating from the South Pole. Two sites were selected as potential airfields for conventional transport aircraft, and ground surveys were made. On the Mill Glacier at 85 deg 06'S, 167 deg 15'E there is an area of smooth and level ice which gives a 7-km run directly into the prevailing wind. Five wheel landings were made there. Alongside Mount Howe there is a large area of level ice at 87 deg 20'S, 149 deg 50'W. It offers a 7-km runway, but there is a strong crosswind component from the prevailing wind and some bumps on the ice surface need to be planed off. Eight wheel landings were made at Mount Howe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211606
Entities
People
- Charles Swithinbank
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory