Ice 9?

[empacher48]

Hi all;

Was in CHCH this morning on a charter, and heard the call sign "Ice 9", the aircraft was either an A319 or A318 (not too sure but it was certainly smaller than the A320), and carried a VH registration.

Just out of interest's sake, I was wondering if anybody had any idea what the aircraft is used for, also why Ice 9 as a call sign, as if you read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_9 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat%27s_Cradle

I do remember reading the book once, and was wondering if it was someone's tounge in cheek idea for a callsign.

[Skystar320]

Its charted by the government for ops down to Antartica

Its an A319

[slackie]

What?? The A319 goes down to the ice?? Really?? Guess it's better than sitting in the back of a Herc:confused:

[XRNZAF]

Wouldn't surprise me. They were talkin about sending our (soon to be combi-fit) 75's down after a few proving flights when I was down the ice a couple of years back. I dunno if they've actually done it yet though.... Would certainly beat the hell out of 7 hours in a herc, but the 5 hour C-17 trip wasn't soooo bad though.

[troppo]

They were talkin about sending our (soon to be combi-fit) 75's down after a few proving flights when I was down the ice a couple of years back.
Must have been the piss talking...I didn't realise they were actually servicable :E

[Skystar320]

The 757 rumour is falso

[training wheels]

Here you go;

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1241680/M/

VH-VHD A319

[AlJassmi]

Ice 9 hey? That's interesting. It's been sitting in/flying out of Melbourne for a fair while and just been going by the rego (VHD).

[Cypher]

It might be Skytrader's out of Sydney I think...

I thought they were going to fy Hobart to Casey Station with that aircraft...?

It originally was a Falcon 900 that was meant to be flying the route.. then it quickly became a A319... Suppose you dont have to worry too much about PNRs, it should have enough range to go down, have a look and come back.

[XRNZAF]

hahaha fair call troppo. The 757's serviceability was only slightly better than the poor old charles fleet! :{