PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Flying over the North Pole
View Single Post
Old 6th Apr 2011, 23:23
  #17 (permalink)  
justcurious
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Frozen North
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You may fly over either the true or magnetic poles at either end of the earth. It is far more pleasant to do so in the back of a large aircraft with a drink in your hand. Flying over the North or South pole in an aircraft smaller than a C17 means that eventually you will have to land someplace cold and windy for fuel which may or may not be there when you arrive, and will cost an astonishing amount to pre-position.

At the Northern Poles, mag or true, the ice is any where from a few centimeters to several meters thick. And it moves 10 km plus a day. As it moves it is subjected to tides, currents and winds which all combine to break the ice up. Consequently the ice has cracks and high pressure ridges, and may be difficult to assess for suitability. If it is unsuitable, and you have landed onit, you may find that your aircraft is going to settle to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, 8000 feet below.

At the Southern Poles, fuel must be pre-positioned. If you are not flying for a government program, this can cost upwards of 10000 a drum. And when you arrive at the Pole, you will not receive a cordial welcome from the station staff. Plus, it is cold at a level difficult to comprehend, and with the elevation, 9300 feet, any exertion, like rolling your 10000 dollar fuel drum, feels like you've carried it over your head and run around the aircraft.

Having been, I really warm to the idea of the back seat of a large aircraft with a drink in my hand. Doesn't make for as cool a hero pilot shot though.
justcurious is offline