The Ice Flight
Since this is my second trip to the ice, I can say with some authority that one of the hardest parts of the Antarctica experience besides the weather is the logistics of juggling luggage - which bag to carry on the plane, which to check in, and which to select as a boomerang bag. The boomerang bag is the bag that will be returned to you if the pilot is unable to land at McMurdo due to unsafe weather conditions and must return to New Zealand. Depending on Mother Nature, a 5 hour flight can quickly become a 10 hour flight.
Inside the C-17
The ice flight crew members were United States Air Force pilots who were very friendly but all about business. I was impressed how they checked lines and equipment on a regular basis throughout the flight. The C-17 had a lot of equipment on board so safety was of primary concern.
I am fastening my seat belt in case they try to make me jump!
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The U.S. Air Force flight crew gives a safety briefing before departure to the ice.
Passengers settle in for the 5 hour flight to McMurdo aboard the C-17.
We were also allowed to take photographs of Antarctica from the cockpit as we approached McMurdo. Although this was not my first glimpse of Antarctica from the air, it was certainly impressive from the cockpit of the C-17.
This photograph of Antarctica was taken from the cockpit of the C-17 on approach to McMurdo.
Landing at McMurdo Ice Runway
Thanks to Mother Nature and the US Air Force pilots, we were able to land at McMurdo without having to boomerang back to New Zealand. My luck is holding up – the second time in Antarctica and each time I was able to land on the ice with the first try!
The Ice flight arrives safely in Antarctica without having to boomerang thanks to Mother Nature and the U.S. Air Force pilots.
McMurdo Station is a like a small town with dormitories, a galley (cafeteria), a store, and several other amenities. It houses the scientists who come down during field seasons to perform research and it is home to the support personnel, some of whom live here year round so it is important to have some amenities.
Who needs Starbucks when there is the elegant McMurdo Coffee House.
Stay tuned for more on life at McMurdo Station.