Polar aviation

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USSR 1963 postage stamp devoted to the Soviet polar aviation Polar aviation of the USSR.jpg
USSR 1963 postage stamp devoted to the Soviet polar aviation

Polar aviation refers to aviation in the polar regions of the Earth. Specifically, one may speak of Arctic aviation and Antarctic aviation in the Arctic and Antarctic respectively.

Contents

The major factors which define the character of polar aviation include remoteness from major populated areas, specific physical geography and climate. Specific factors include low temperatures, frequent changes of meteorological conditions, polar night, the uncertainty of magnetic compasses, difficulties in radio communication, and lack of landmarks.

Early history

The dream of air travel to the Pole has a lengthy prehistory. As early as the 1870s, John Powles Cheyne, a veteran of three British Arctic expeditions, was proposing a voyage to the pole via balloon. [1] Nevertheless, in terms of actual flight, S. A. Andrée's Arctic balloon expedition of 1897 is commonly considered to mark the beginning of polar aviation. Later, Zeppelins were used for exploitation of the Arctic, and eventually airplanes. [2] In 1914, a Russian plane (Farman MF.11, pilot Jan Nagórski, mechanic Yevgeni Kuznetsov) flew beyond the Arctic Circle in the area of Novaya Zemlya in search of the North Pole expedition of Georgiy Sedov. The beginning of the century witnessed the aviation quest for the North Pole. By the mid-1920s polar aviation had become feasible. [2]

Antarctic aviation

Fokker Super Universal Virginia piloted by Richard Evelyn Byrd was the first aircraft to land on the mainland of Antarctica [3] during Byrd's first Antarctic expedition, 1928-1930, when he was first to fly over the South Pole on November 29, 1929. Byrd used Ford Trimotors and other aircraft for aerial surveys and reconnaissance during his expeditions. [4]

After World War II, military aviation played a significant role in exploration. Operation Highjump, led by Admiral Byrd, used U.S. Navy aircraft to extensively map large portions of Antarctica. Its primary objectives were scientific exploration, mapping, and training in a harsh and largely uncharted environment. [4]

The International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957-1958 marked a significant period for scientific research in Antarctica. Aircraft, including ski-equipped planes, were used for aerial surveys and transporting scientists. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) became actively involved in Antarctic aviation during this period. [5]

During the 1960s-70s, there was a great development of Antarctic research programmes. Various countries established research stations in Antarctica, leading to an increased need for air support. The United States, in particular, utilized ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules aircraft to transport personnel and cargo to remote locations. [5]

In the modern era, from 1990s onwards, technological advancements, including the use of satellite imagery, have improved navigation and safety in Antarctic aviation. Various countries operate specialised aircraft, including ski-equipped planes and helicopters, to support research activities and transport personnel. The use of long-range transport aircraft, like the Basler BT-67, has become common for reaching deep-field research sites. [5]

Related Research Articles

Transport in Antarctica has transformed from explorers crossing the isolated remote area of Antarctica by foot to a more open era due to human technologies enabling more convenient and faster transport, predominantly by air and water, but also by land as well. Transportation technologies on a remote area like Antarctica need to be able to deal with extremely low temperatures and continuous winds to ensure the travelers' safety. Due to the fragility of the Antarctic environment, only a limited amount of transport movements can take place and sustainable transportation technologies have to be used to reduce the ecological footprint. The infrastructure of land, water and air transport needs to be safe and sustainable. Currently thousands of tourists and hundreds of scientists a year depend on the Antarctic transportation system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roald Amundsen</span> Norwegian polar explorer (1872–1928)

Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He was a key figure of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard E. Byrd</span> American naval officer, explorer (1888–1957)

Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr., an American naval officer, was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics. Aircraft flights in which he served as a navigator and expedition leader crossed the Atlantic Ocean, a segment of the Arctic Ocean, and a segment of the Antarctic Plateau. He is also known for discovering Mount Sidley, the largest dormant volcano in Antarctica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Ellsworth</span> Early 20th-century American explorer of Antarctica

Lincoln Ellsworth was a polar explorer from the United States and a major benefactor of the American Museum of Natural History.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lockheed LC-130</span> Ski-equipped military transport aircraft

The Lockheed LC-130 is a ski-equipped United States Air Force variant of the C-130 Hercules used in the Arctic and Antarctic. Ten are currently in service with the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Highjump</span> US Navy operation to establish an Antarctic research base

Operation HIGHJUMP, officially titled The United States Navy Antarctic Developments Program, 1946–1947,, was a United States Navy (USN) operation to establish the Antarctic research base Little America IV. The operation was organized by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Jr., USN (Ret), Officer in Charge, Task Force 68, and led by Rear Admiral Ethan Erik Larson, USN, Commanding Officer, Task Force 68. Operation HIGHJUMP commenced 26 August 1946 and ended in late February 1947. Task Force 68 included 4,700 men, 70 ships, and 33 aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Antarctic Program</span> American government initiative

The United States Antarctic Program is an organization of the United States government which has a presence in the Antarctica continent. Founded in 1959, the USAP manages all U.S. scientific research and related logistics in Antarctica as well as aboard ships in the Southern Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernt Balchen</span> United States Army Air Forces officer (1899–1973)

Bernt Balchen was a Norwegian pioneer polar aviator, navigator, aircraft mechanical engineer and military leader. A Norwegian native, he later became an American citizen and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenn Borek Air</span> Airline based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Kenn Borek Air is an airline based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It operates regional passenger and cargo services, contract operations in the Arctic and Antarctic and aircraft leasing. Its main base is at Calgary International Airport. It charters aircraft for scientific expeditions, oil exploration, etc., and operates air ambulance services.

Operation Deep Freeze is codename for a series of United States missions to Antarctica, beginning with "Operation Deep Freeze I" in 1955–56, followed by "Operation Deep Freeze II", "Operation Deep Freeze III", and so on.. Given the continuing and constant US presence in Antarctica since that date, "Operation Deep Freeze" has come to be used as a general term for US operations in that continent, and in particular for the regular missions to resupply US Antarctic bases, coordinated by the United States military. Task Force 199 was involved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue ice runway</span>

A blue ice runway is a runway constructed in Antarctic areas with no net annual snow accumulation. The density of the ice increases as air bubbles are forced out, strengthening the resultant ice surface so that aircraft landings using wheels instead of skis can be supported. Such runways simplify the transfer of materials to research stations, since wheeled aircraft can carry much heavier loads than ski-equipped aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williams Field</span> Airstrip in Antarctica

Williams Field or Willy Field is a United States Antarctic Program airfield in Antarctica. Williams Field consists of two snow runways located on approximately 8 meters (25 ft) of compacted snow, lying on top of 8–10 ft of ice, floating over 550 meters (1,800 ft) of water. The airport, which is approximately seven miles from Ross Island, serves McMurdo Station and New Zealand's Scott Base. Until the 2009–10 summer season, Williams was the major airfield for on-continent aircraft operations in Antarctica.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the United Kingdom's national polar research institute. It has a dual purpose, to conduct polar science, enabling better understanding of global issues, and to provide an active presence in the Antarctic on behalf of the UK. It is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). With over 400 staff, BAS takes an active role in Antarctic affairs, operating five research stations, one ship and five aircraft in both polar regions, as well as addressing key global and regional issues. This involves joint research projects with over 40 UK universities and more than 120 national and international collaborations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaac Schlossbach</span> American explorer

Isaac "Ike" Schlossbach was an American polar explorer, submariner and aviation pioneer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George J. Dufek</span> United States naval admiral (1903–1977)

George John Dufek was an American naval officer, naval aviator, and polar expert. He served in World War II and the Korean War and in the 1940s and 1950s spent much of his career in the Antarctic, first with Admiral Byrd and later as supervisor of U.S. programs in the South Polar regions. Rear Admiral Dufek was the director of the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia after his retirement from the Navy in 1959.

Alfred Ritscher was a German polar explorer. A Kapitän zur See in the Kriegsmarine, he led the third German Antarctic Expedition in 1938–39, which mapped the New Swabia territories of Queen Maud Land. Ritscher Peak and Ritscher Upland there are named for him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VX-6</span> Military unit

Air Development Squadron Six was a United States Navy Air Development Squadron based at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Established at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on 17 January 1955, the squadron's mission was to conduct operations in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the operational component of the United States Antarctic Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold June</span>

Harold Irving June (1895–1962) was a machinist, an aviator, a test pilot, and an explorer in Antarctica. He is best known for his 1928–1930 service in the first Antarctic expedition of Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Sitting in the co-pilot's seat with supplemental radio duties, he flew with Byrd, pilot Bernt Balchen, and photographer Ashley McKinley over the South Pole on November 29, 1929.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Smith (pilot)</span> American pilot

Dean Cullen Smith was a pioneer American mail pilot, test pilot, flying instructor, Antarctic pilot, and airline pilot. At 17 years of age, he became the youngest flight instructor in U.S. Army history. He was a lead pilot for the U.S. Postal Service's airmail service, and was the first pilot to initiate night air mail flights. He was an executive for many airlines and aircraft companies.

References

  1. ↑ Lewis-Jones, Huw, "Commander Cheyne's Flights of Fancy," Polar Record 44:231 (October 2008) 289-302.
  2. 1 2 "Red Arctic: Polar Exploration and the Myth of the North in the Soviet Union, 1932-1939", by John McCannon, 1998, ISBN   0-19-511436-1, p. 26.
  3. ↑ "Antarctic Aviation Preservation Society". Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  4. 1 2 Utz, Curtis. "Naval Aviation in the Antarctic" (PDF). Naval Aviation News: 20.
  5. 1 2 3 "Antarctica - Treaty, Continent, Wildlife | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-01-01.

Further reading

See also

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