Christchurch Airport Antarctic Air Day

[HamiltonWest]

Christchurch Airport Antarctic Air Day

September 29
11am – 4pm
Cost: Free event
Ticket Info: (ph. )
Location: Christchurch International Airport Tarmac, entry off Orchard Road. Free parking off Peter Leeming Road.
Every October, Scott Base and McMurdo Station personnel are flown down to Ross Island, Antarctica, by the United States Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. They call this the Season Opening – and they need your help to inspect the planes before takeoff!

Since the days of American aviator, Admiral Byrd – the first person to reach the South Pole by air, in 1929 – Antarctic aviation has evolved to the point where Christchurch International Airport plays host to 100 departures a season, with aircraft like the US C-17 Globemaster and the Kiwi P3 Orion embarking on the 5–8 hour journey south. It's a whistle-stop tour, because they have to turn back pretty promptly so their fuel doesn't freeze!

Come and join the USAF and RNZAF personnel as they show you inside these incredible aircraft. Enjoy entertainment including Bond Street Bridge, brass bands and a special guest appearance by Don McGlashan. There will also be coffee, drinks and special displays right on the tarmac as they prepare for takeoff the following day.

If you get a bit peckish, pop across the road to the Antarctic Centre for hot sandwiches, burgers, salads, Scott Base Wine, snow-chilled beer, coffee and ice cream. This event is brought to you by Christchurch Airport, the United States Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Christchurch City Council.

Super cool deal - Extreme pass entry to the Antarctic Centre all weekend just $25 Adults and $10 kids - that’s less than half price!
http://nzicefest.co.nz/event/10669

Aerial salute to Christchurch as Antarctic Season opens

Christchurch will receive a symbolic aerial salute this Friday, as the United States Air Force makes a spectacular arrival the city to mark the opening of the 2012/13 Antarctic Season.

The afternoon of Friday 28 September will run with military precision: arriving over the Pacific from Hawaii’s Hickam Air Force Base, the US Air Force C-17 Globemaster will bank in over New Brighton Pier at approximately 1.05pm, weather permitting. With a flight path that includes Chisnallwood Intermediate School, the C-17 will then make its way across the city at an altitude of 1300 feet. At approximately 1.15pm, over the NZ IceFest site in Hagley Park, personnel on board the C-17 will photograph the word “ICEFESTâ€￾ on the ground below, as spelled out by a formation of visiting schoolchildren.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1209/S005...eason-opens.htm

[Ian Warren]

Great HU Ham , i'll be there , always

[HamiltonWest]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Sep 25 2012,6:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great HU Ham , i'll be there , always

Looks like you had some aussie visitors yesterday
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/...ing-rounds.html

[Ian Warren]

The 'J' really lost that old Herc sound , with the six blade prop they sound like two ATRs glued together , interesting to see what variant of LC-130s they have on the ramp they have gone one step further and have eight blade scimitars on a few of them or maybe the entire fleet has been retrofitted .

[HamiltonWest]

Flight ID From To Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Type Status
RCH5E2 PHNL NZCH 9/28/2012 1:09PM IDLE C17 In Flight
http://travel.flightexplorer.com/airportFl...d=&status=2

[Ian Warren]

Well i guess Auckland got the Mossie ... the C17 ... The Americans have arrived ! a nice little tiptoe across the city of Wobblyville

[HamiltonWest]

Good Video on link C-17 tour - Check out the pic with as follows caption under it : The US Airforce C-17 Globemaster dwarfs visitors at Christchurch International Airport today.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7747587/US...tchurch-crowds/

[Ian Warren]

You gotta love the Americans , old days we even had an old 'Big Tex' resturant just outside Wigram now gone .. dates back to the mid 1950s Neptune's LC-47s and Globemaster IIs .

[HamiltonWest]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Sep 27 2012,10:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The 'J' really lost that old Herc sound , with the six blade prop they sound like two ATRs glued together , interesting to see what variant of LC-130s they have on the ramp they have gone one step further and have eight blade scimitars on a few of them or maybe the entire fleet has been retrofitted .

LC's enroute to chch apart from the one that's already here:
Naked!
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/naked.html

Air National Guard Supports Antarctic Research
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/10...6997&rank=2

[Ian Warren]

One of the last or early four blade LC , Deane mention the noise resenant causing fatigue with the six blade , i wonder the performance with the eight .. lease in vibration of distances .. looks so 1960's without the clothes on