Polar First Expedition

[Big Bucks Bernie]

PILOTS TO COMPLETE THEIR CHALLENGE!

Helicopter pilots Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill have confirmed that they will attempt to complete the journey they set out on two years ago - the journey that ended so abruptly in a near fatal crash on the Ronne Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

They launched their record attempt to be the first pilots to fly a heicopter around the world from Pole to Pole in October 2003, but 58 days into their journey and two days after reaching the south pole, they crashed in whiteout conditions at 01.00 GMT on Saturday 20th December. Both pilots sustained serious injuries and their crash was reported by media around the globe. Many might have called it a day after such an experience but Jennifer and Colin are determined to complete the challenge.

http://www.polarfirst.com/images/stories/southpole143.jpg
Colin and Jennifer pictured at the bottom of the world (a.k.a. the South Pole)

"We’ve always said we’ll complete the journey and that’s exactly what we’re going to do – we’ve got ‘unfinished business," Jennifer says. "Happily many of our previous sponsors are as keen as we are to see this unique journey completed, so with their support, together with some new ones, we’ll be aiming to complete the journey in 2007."

Jennifer continues – "There is an exciting addition to this trip. We will be working in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) and coordinating with the International Polar Year giving a core group of schools along the route and children world wide the opportunity to share our great adventure on a journey they will never forget. The RGS will be hosting our schools microsite -‘Passport to the Poles,’ whilst Colin and I will provide the dynamic link.

Source: http://www.polarfirst.com/

I remember checking the team's progress on a daily basis from the day they started in New York until that fateful day on which their expedition came to a rather abrupt and unexpected halt two years ago. Just as I did then, I still think this is one of the most exciting aviation expeditions to take place in a long time.
I'm also really glad to see that Jennifer and Colin are planning on completing the expedition, albeit two and a bit years later than expected and with a new helicopter.

[Big Bucks Bernie]

Date: Saturday 4th November 2006, 9.30am

HELICOPTER PILOTS CONFIRM THEY WILL RE-ATTEMPT WORLD RECORD

Record-breaking helicopter pilots Jennifer Murray, 66, and Colin Bodill, 55, have today confirmed that they will set off on December 5th 2006 to once again attempt setting a new world record for flying around the world via the South and North Poles.
The pilots’ decision follows their last attempt in 2003 when on December 20th, 58 days into their journey and two days after reaching the South Pole, they crashed in whiteout conditions on the Ronne Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Both pilots sustained serious injuries and their crash was reported by media around the globe. Many might have called it a day after such an experience but Jennifer, 66 years old, and Colin, 55 years old, are determined to re-attempt the challenge.

"We’ve always said we’ll have another go, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do – we’ve got unfinished business," Jennifer Murray says. "Happily many of our previous sponsors are as keen as we are to see this unique record re-attempted, so with their support, together with some new o¬nes, we’re hoping to complete the world record by May 2007.”

The pilots will take-off in their Bell 407 helicopter from Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Dallas, USA, on Tuesday December 5th 2006. They will travel for 169 days, visit 34 countries and cover 36,206 nautical miles.

Jennifer Murray, now 66 years old, learnt to fly helicopters at the age of 54.

Jennifer continues, "There is an exciting addition to this trip. We will be working in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) with IBG, giving a core group of 30 schools along the route and children world wide the opportunity to take part in a global environmental, online project. We will also be visiting these schools during our journey, acting as the dynamic link.”

“There is bound to be a certain amount of trepidation on our part as we embark on this journey, and crossing the Ronne Ice Shelf where we crashed last time will be emotional. However what drives me on is our unique project with the RGS, the enthusiasm the schools and children are showing for the project, and of course the unstinting support and encouragement from our sponsors,” Jennifer concludes.

Jennifer has written a book, ‘Broken Journey’, about her 2003 record attempt and this will be published on November 20th. Copies can be bought at www.polarfirst.com (http://www.pprune.org/forums/).
Watch the pilots journey around the world at www.polarfirst.com (http://www.pprune.org/forums/).


Source: www.polarfirst.com (http://www.pprune.org/forums/)

[slgrossman]

For an interesting historical perspective, see the link.

50th Anniversary of First Landing at South Pole (http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061101/NEWS01/611010344/1006/EDUCATION)

-Stan-

[Big Bucks Bernie]

Polar First expedition reaches South Pole

Record-breaking helicopter pilots Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill have reached the South Pole. Reaching the Pole at 5am (GMT) on Sunday 7th January, this marks a significant milestone in their attempt to set a new world record for flying around the world via the South and North Poles in a Bell Helicopter 407.

This is the pilots’ second attempt to set this record, their first attempt in 2003 ending in near disaster when on December 20th, 58 days into their journey and two days after reaching the South Pole, they crashed in whiteout conditions on the Ronne Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Both pilots sustained serious injuries and their crash was reported by media around the globe. Many might have called it a day after such an experience but Jennifer, 66 years old, and Colin, 55 years old, were determined to re-attempt the challenge.

Talking via satellite phone from the South Pole, Jennifer says, "It’s a terrific feeling to have made it to the South Pole. Bad weather conditions have hampered our progress along the way but we had a clear weather window when leaving Fowler and flying the 1200 miles to the Pole in one go has put us very much back on schedule.”

“With memories of our last time in Antarctica being overshadowed by the crash, it’s been great to come back and lay a few ghosts to rest. Obviously the next milestone is to get out of Antarctica and back across the Drake Passage safely. I’ll certainly be feeling relieved once we’re back in Ushuaia, but there’ll be no time for celebration as we’re only half way through and have to push on northward to the North Pole. Having got this far, morale is high - although we’re obviously feeling tired - but we know we’ve got a long way to go yet and a lot more challenges ahead of us. Our Bell 407 is performing wonderfully and we have great confidence every time we start it up and fly away,” Jennifer concludes.

The pilots have completed just over 9,000 nautical miles of their journey and have made 33 scheduled landings. They have over 26,000 nautical miles to go and 94 more scheduled landings to make. They started the attempt on 5th December 2006, taking off from Bell Helicopter at Fort Worth, Dallas, USA.

Jennifer Murray learnt to fly helicopters at the age of 54.

Jennifer and Colin are also working in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) with IBG, to give a core group of 30 schools along the route and children world wide the opportunity to take part in a global environmental, online project. The pilots have visited many of the schools taking part in the project during their trip south, and will be visiting more as they fly north.

Jennifer has written a book, ‘Broken Journey’, about her 2003 record attempt and copies can be bought at www.polarfirst.com (http://www.polarfirst.com/).

Watch the pilots journey around the world at www.polarfirst.com. (http://www.polarfirst.com.)
Source: Rotorhub.com (http://www.shephard.co.uk/rotorhub/Default.aspx?Action=745115149&ID=31da65c7-c5f4-4996-8b86-0f158d949d38)