Forums
Antarctic Weather Stations

Happy New Year Kirk! Wondering if you or the team needed to learn how to ditch before you (or them) ride in the copter? Since getting the training, I have actually ridden in helicopters and totally understood the aspect of safety. Also how low and how fast do the helicopters fly? Will the weather conditions and wind speed have an influence on their use? Go Big Red! warmly, Maggie

 ps The Badgers lost to Tennessee, 17 to 21in the Outback Bowl. I didn't get to see the game, but followed it through the underscripts of another bowl game. Oh well, there's always next season;)

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 15:37

Kirk Beckendorf

Hi Maggie,I had a short training yesterday on how to put on a helmet and seat belt. Nothing anywhere close to what you went through. Helos are not allowed to fly over the water here so we won't be ditching, we would only crash. I do not think I have any other helo training to do. I'll know for sure soon, because I am scheduled to fly out to a weather station on Sat.
Weather and wind very much affect when and where the helos can fly. I do not yet know what conditions shut down flights.
I also do not yet know flying alttude or speed. Although yesterday I saw a helo flying near the summit of Mt Erebus which is over 10,000 feet.
Its great to hear from you, thanks for writing.
kirk