Just learned that McMurdo Pegasus has a 10,000 ft runway and according to Wiki can be used year-round by wheeled aircraft.
What is the largest aircraft ever to have landed there? Would it possible for Boeing 747 freighters to land and take off from there? What challenges would exist, other than the obvious (visibility can be bad and low fuel is an issue for fuel)?
Also, are there charts anywhere to be found?
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
I would think it'll be an IL-76 of some sort.
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
The C-17 has landed at McMurdo plenty of times which is larger than the Il-76. The C-5 Galaxy is also capable of landing at McMurdo.
[Edited 2015-08-30 02:26:13]
[Edited 2015-08-30 02:26:13]
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- flyDTW1992
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
C-5 has landed at McMurdo before if I'm not mistaken. That'd certainly be the largest. As for 747s, I'm not sure. Seeing as a work for one of the few 747F operators that could conceivably be called up for such a mission if it were indeed possible, I may have to look into that if I get the time in the next few days.
Now you're flying smart
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
Australia has an A319 that lands on a different ice runway way down under.
"Airbus has the NEO. Boeing has the knee jerk" Judson Rollins in "10 Minutes About the A321XLR and Why Boeing Can’t Compete"
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
There are pictures of both USAF C5 Galaxy and RNZAF Boeing 757 in the Wiki article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Field
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Field
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
Air New Zealand planned to send some 767s down there a few years ago.
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/antarc...hird-time-2013111916#axzz3kJBC5AXD
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/antarc...hird-time-2013111916#axzz3kJBC5AXD
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
Going back four or so decades, this was probably the largest aircraft:
View Large View Medium
Photo © Kjell Nilsson
Methinks I am starting to show my age....
Photo © Kjell Nilsson
Methinks I am starting to show my age....
The aeroplane has unveiled for us the true face of the earth. -Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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- finnishway
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
| Quoting mozart (Thread starter): Would it possible for Boeing 747 freighters to land and take off from there? What challenges would exist, other than the obvious (visibility can be bad and low fuel is an issue for fuel)? |
Would it be possible for a Boeing 747 to land and take off from McMurdo? Probably yes, but why would it go there? Large military aircaft are used because they can operate better from places like Antarctica where there are limited amount of infrastucture and equipment. Military aircraft like C-17 can carry a lot of cargo and people on the same flight. Boeing 747 can carry a lot of people, but not a lot of special cargo.
C-17 can be loaded and unloaded with its own equipment and it has a tail ramp. B747 would require special equipment for that. C-17 was also designed to operate from all kind of runways, B747 wasn't.
What challenges are there? Weather is one of the challenges, but I would say for an aircraft size of the B747 turnaround would be a challenge itself. How to do it fast and safely.
A319CJ (if I am correct) and modified B757 combi operate regularly to Antarctica, B737 has been tested by PrivatAir and I think it has also operated there some charters. Air New Zealand planned to test B767 a few years ago, but hasn't done it yet.
[Edited 2015-08-30 10:01:42]
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
The C-5 Galaxy is the largest I believe so far, and back in the day it was pretty routine for the C-141 Starlifters to fly in and out. Now days it's pretty much C-130s (VX6 I think) from the Navy.
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
| Quoting hh65man (Reply 9): Now days it's pretty much C-130s (VX6 I think) from the Navy. |
VXE-6 (the redesignated VX-6) is now gone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VXE-6
StudeDave
Classic planes, Classic trains, and Studebakers~~ what else is there???
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- washingtonflyer
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
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C5 at McMurdo
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- yellowtail
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
I am curious...I assume they don't take fuel in Antartica and tanker in what they need since they are going out empty (presumably)....or do aircraft like the C5 do air to air enroute?
When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No-one has ever collided with the sky.
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- flyDTW1992
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RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
| Quoting yellowtail (Reply 12): I am curious...I assume they don't take fuel in Antartica and tanker in what they need since they are going out empty (presumably)....or do aircraft like the C5 do air to air enroute? |
They fly in from Christchurch, so most of these aircraft should be able to tanker in most of what they need. There is a supply of jet fuel at McMurdo though.
Now you're flying smart
RE: Largest Plane Ever To Land McMurdo/Antarctica?
| Quoting flyDTW1992 (Reply 13): They fly in from Christchurch, so most of these aircraft should be able to tanker in most of what they need. There is a supply of jet fuel at McMurdo though. |
At least some aircraft must take fuel at McMurdo. The 757s that land there do not have big enough tanks to complete the southbound trip while holding an alternate. There are special procedures used to ensure relatively safe operation to Antarctica without an alternate. It's essentially a point of no return at which time the weather must be above prescribed limits.
I say "relatively" because it almost didn't go so well once: http://www.taic.org.nz/ReportsandSaf...G]skins/taicAviation/skin_aviation
[Edited 2015-09-01 19:27:18]
You know the gear is up and locked when it takes full throttle to taxi to the terminal.
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