VH-NOJ Long Distance Flight
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're missing the big picture - give fuel to this bloke and you're likely to have all sorts of yurgens and poms and kiwis charging over there in their homebuilts - thousands of the ******s - not to mention the illegal immigrants!
This is all about deterence.
BUT
This could be a time to test the American - Australian Alliance (DOH! but we don't have an Australian - American Alliance though do we! - foiled again) or perhaps the ANZUS treaty.
This is all about deterence.
BUT
This could be a time to test the American - Australian Alliance (DOH! but we don't have an Australian - American Alliance though do we! - foiled again) or perhaps the ANZUS treaty.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Africa
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I guess the US/NZ authorities are being Pedantic.
I am sure the Australians know all about that.
Let us just cast our minds back to when Helen Clark arrived in Australia and was searched. Yes, you never know she could have been armed.
Rules are rules. Right?
I am sure the Australians know all about that.
Let us just cast our minds back to when Helen Clark arrived in Australia and was searched. Yes, you never know she could have been armed.
Rules are rules. Right?
Last edited by josephshankes; 12th Dec 2003 at 06:11.
Notwithstanding the above, as of a few years ago, there are a few drums of AVGAS about 50nm from McMurdo, lying around in the snow...Might be a long roll for him though.
It is a long standing policy of Antarctic bases never to assist adventurers there. I seem to recall DS himself commenting on that during one of his flights round the pole?
It is a long standing policy of Antarctic bases never to assist adventurers there. I seem to recall DS himself commenting on that during one of his flights round the pole?
Was there a shorter Route?
A year of two back, there was a lot of talk about Albany WA,(35deg S), being the best departure point for aircraft taking a load down to the Antarctic bases. Had to do with stronger winds from the W/NW as you fly further south. Calculations were an extra 1 tonne on a 737 out of Albany rather than Hobart.
Of course, it was against Albany on the return - better to go Hobart.
Just idly thinking about whether Jon Johanson looked at this aspect, but I have to admit that an extra 10 deg south from Christchurch might more than make up the difference.
THE 'RESCUE'
Further, on the 'rescue' issues, Australia has engaged in several very expensive rescues of yachtspersons, who knowingly sailed far south into known dangerous waters. Bullimore the Pom was one, and the most infamous was the French woman,(twice rescued). Neither of these paid a cent back, despite earning windfall payments from the press and media. The latter was notable for her arrogant lack of contrition.
It begs the question as to whether Jon made any worse a planning decision than these yachties?
cheers,
A year of two back, there was a lot of talk about Albany WA,(35deg S), being the best departure point for aircraft taking a load down to the Antarctic bases. Had to do with stronger winds from the W/NW as you fly further south. Calculations were an extra 1 tonne on a 737 out of Albany rather than Hobart.
Of course, it was against Albany on the return - better to go Hobart.
Just idly thinking about whether Jon Johanson looked at this aspect, but I have to admit that an extra 10 deg south from Christchurch might more than make up the difference.
THE 'RESCUE'
Further, on the 'rescue' issues, Australia has engaged in several very expensive rescues of yachtspersons, who knowingly sailed far south into known dangerous waters. Bullimore the Pom was one, and the most infamous was the French woman,(twice rescued). Neither of these paid a cent back, despite earning windfall payments from the press and media. The latter was notable for her arrogant lack of contrition.
It begs the question as to whether Jon made any worse a planning decision than these yachties?
cheers,
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is a long standing policy of Antarctic bases never to assist adventurers there. I seem to recall DS himself commenting on that during one of his flights round the pole?
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BRITISH PILOT THROWS JOHANSON A LIFELINE
Polly Vacher today aborted her flight, which was two years in the planning, because of fuel supply difficulties and bad weather.
Antarctica New Zealand spokeswoman Shelly Peebles said Ms Vacher had "very kindly" offered her fuel, which was left by a private cruise ship at Scott Base in Antarctica, to help Australian pilot Jon Johanson.
Mr Johanson, who was attempting to fly to Argentina from Invercargill in New Zealand, had been forced to land at McMurdo Base in Antarctica on Monday after flying to the South Pole without enough fuel to return to New Zealand or fly on.
Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said Mr Johanson "should be grateful" to Ms Vacher for enabling him to fly his plane back to Invercargill.
"We do not have the type of fuel (avgas) his plane requires at Scott Base and have been advised by other pilots that Mr Johanson would be running a significant risk if he used the fuel (mogas) that we do stock," he said in a statement.
"The fuel we work with is for generators and not of aviation quality."
Ms Vacher's trip had been well-organised and "properly planned", he said.
"She and her staff spent two years preparing for her flight with significant advice from national Antarctic programmes.
"It is ironic that she is now assisting a stranded pilot who embarked upon an ill-prepared and secret flight over the South Pole," he said.
Mr Johanson had 35 hours of fuel for a journey estimated to take 36 hours by going through the South Pole rather than the most direct route to Argentina, which would have required 33 hours.
He had no search and rescue back-up or contingency plans in place.
New Zealand and United States representatives in Antarctica offered Mr Johanson transport back to Christchurch on one of the regularly scheduled flights between McMurdo and Christchurch and to return his plane via ship at a later stage.
Stuff news 12 December 2003
However, Mr Johanson did not want to accept the flight back to Christchurch, as he feared it would be expensive and his plane might be damaged during shipping.
Antarctica New Zealand spokeswoman Shelly Peebles said Ms Vacher had "very kindly" offered her fuel, which was left by a private cruise ship at Scott Base in Antarctica, to help Australian pilot Jon Johanson.
Mr Johanson, who was attempting to fly to Argentina from Invercargill in New Zealand, had been forced to land at McMurdo Base in Antarctica on Monday after flying to the South Pole without enough fuel to return to New Zealand or fly on.
Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said Mr Johanson "should be grateful" to Ms Vacher for enabling him to fly his plane back to Invercargill.
"We do not have the type of fuel (avgas) his plane requires at Scott Base and have been advised by other pilots that Mr Johanson would be running a significant risk if he used the fuel (mogas) that we do stock," he said in a statement.
"The fuel we work with is for generators and not of aviation quality."
Ms Vacher's trip had been well-organised and "properly planned", he said.
"She and her staff spent two years preparing for her flight with significant advice from national Antarctic programmes.
"It is ironic that she is now assisting a stranded pilot who embarked upon an ill-prepared and secret flight over the South Pole," he said.
Mr Johanson had 35 hours of fuel for a journey estimated to take 36 hours by going through the South Pole rather than the most direct route to Argentina, which would have required 33 hours.
He had no search and rescue back-up or contingency plans in place.
New Zealand and United States representatives in Antarctica offered Mr Johanson transport back to Christchurch on one of the regularly scheduled flights between McMurdo and Christchurch and to return his plane via ship at a later stage.
Stuff news 12 December 2003
However, Mr Johanson did not want to accept the flight back to Christchurch, as he feared it would be expensive and his plane might be damaged during shipping.
Slice- Sorry if I implied that the flights were the same as mining charter flights. What I meant in terms of similarity was that aircraft are commercially chartered on a relatively regular basis to move crew and equipment into Antarctica. Various Russian cargo planes (some ex-mil, some civil) land on ice runways down there. It's not just military though it may be specifically at McMurdo, I'm not certain.
There's a company called Adventure Network International that enables private travellers to fly to Antarctica.
Anywho, what's the latest with the situation?
There's a company called Adventure Network International that enables private travellers to fly to Antarctica.
Anywho, what's the latest with the situation?
From Polly's website
As you may be aware, Australian pilot Jon Johannsen recently made an unscheduled stop at McMurdo in his home-built RV4 light aircraft. To aid the Australian and New Zealand National Programmes with the problem, Polly, together with the owners of her fuel, Shell, have released two barrels of her fuel which has been stored at McMurdo to enable him to fly back to New Zealand. Antarctica New Zealand has released a statement saying they are sorry Polly Vacher has not been able to complete her flight, which was professionally planned, and are grateful that she has, in turn, been able to help Johannsen. It is on the understanding that he will now work tirelessly for Wheelies on Wings, the Australian equivalent to Flying Scholarships for the Disabled.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Breaking News
LATEST NEWS: Saturday 13 December 2003 -
VOYAGE TO THE ICE RE-ROUTED AS ATTEMPTS TO FLY ACROSS ANTARCTICA HAVE HAD TO BE ABANDONED
Polly still remains at Rothera Base, Antarctica, waiting for a weather window to fly to the Argentine Base of Marambio. We are sincerely grateful to the Argentinian Air Force which has come to her rescue by flying fuel to Marambio so that Polly can return to Ushuaia.
Polly is unable to continue her flight across Antarctica as, for logistical reasons, she is unable to secure fuel at Patriot Hills, despite making plans to do so from the outset. Once back in Ushuaia, she will be retracing her steps through South America and the USA to California where she will fly across the Pacific to South Island, New Zealand to continue with her original route from Dunedin as planned.
As you may be aware, Australian pilot Jon Johannsen recently made an unscheduled stop at McMurdo in his home-built RV4 light aircraft. To aid the Australian and New Zealand National Programmes with the problem, Polly, together with the owners of her fuel, Shell, have released two barrels of her fuel which has been stored at McMurdo to enable him to fly back to New Zealand. Antarctica New Zealand has released a statement saying they are sorry Polly Vacher has not been able to complete her flight, which was professionally planned, and are grateful that she has, in turn, been able to help Johannsen. It is on the understanding that he will now work tirelessly for Wheelies on Wings, the Australian equivalent to Flying Scholarships for the Disabled.
THIS PROJECT IS NOT TERMINATING. POLLY VACHER IS STILL THE FIRST WOMAN TO HAVE FLOWN AROUND ANTARCTICA IN A SINGLE-ENGINE LIGHT AIRCRAFT AND WILL CONTINUE HER FLIGHT.
VOYAGE TO THE ICE RE-ROUTED AS ATTEMPTS TO FLY ACROSS ANTARCTICA HAVE HAD TO BE ABANDONED
Polly still remains at Rothera Base, Antarctica, waiting for a weather window to fly to the Argentine Base of Marambio. We are sincerely grateful to the Argentinian Air Force which has come to her rescue by flying fuel to Marambio so that Polly can return to Ushuaia.
Polly is unable to continue her flight across Antarctica as, for logistical reasons, she is unable to secure fuel at Patriot Hills, despite making plans to do so from the outset. Once back in Ushuaia, she will be retracing her steps through South America and the USA to California where she will fly across the Pacific to South Island, New Zealand to continue with her original route from Dunedin as planned.
As you may be aware, Australian pilot Jon Johannsen recently made an unscheduled stop at McMurdo in his home-built RV4 light aircraft. To aid the Australian and New Zealand National Programmes with the problem, Polly, together with the owners of her fuel, Shell, have released two barrels of her fuel which has been stored at McMurdo to enable him to fly back to New Zealand. Antarctica New Zealand has released a statement saying they are sorry Polly Vacher has not been able to complete her flight, which was professionally planned, and are grateful that she has, in turn, been able to help Johannsen. It is on the understanding that he will now work tirelessly for Wheelies on Wings, the Australian equivalent to Flying Scholarships for the Disabled.
THIS PROJECT IS NOT TERMINATING. POLLY VACHER IS STILL THE FIRST WOMAN TO HAVE FLOWN AROUND ANTARCTICA IN A SINGLE-ENGINE LIGHT AIRCRAFT AND WILL CONTINUE HER FLIGHT.
Nice publicity for Shell, as BP are Mr Johnassons's main sponsor!
YMML - Adventure Network International are no longer servicing Antarctica. Not even sure if they are still in existance.
RV6-VNE - Albany is indeed closer to the Australian bases - not to Antarctica. Our bases are quite a long way west. CHCH-McMurdo is 3831, HB-McMurdo is 3995. Also remember that CHCH is a little way "up" in the south island, so the over water distance is reduced even further!
Also, if he was flying due (true) south (makes sense as he was headed over the south pole) he'd want to start from as far south as possible. Albany is a bit further north than HB!
CS
YMML - Adventure Network International are no longer servicing Antarctica. Not even sure if they are still in existance.
RV6-VNE - Albany is indeed closer to the Australian bases - not to Antarctica. Our bases are quite a long way west. CHCH-McMurdo is 3831, HB-McMurdo is 3995. Also remember that CHCH is a little way "up" in the south island, so the over water distance is reduced even further!
Also, if he was flying due (true) south (makes sense as he was headed over the south pole) he'd want to start from as far south as possible. Albany is a bit further north than HB!
CS
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my house
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just some facts for interest..
All the aviation fuel at McMurdo is turbine fuel for the C130s, C17s, Twin Otters, Bell 212s and AS350s down there. All the vehicles are diesel powered so it would only be the portable generator fuel from the Kiwis which would be available.
All flights to and from McMurdo are by either the US military (New York Air Guard etc.) and the occasional Kiwi C130.
There are no civilian flights to or from McMurdo to anywhere.
Hippolite
All the aviation fuel at McMurdo is turbine fuel for the C130s, C17s, Twin Otters, Bell 212s and AS350s down there. All the vehicles are diesel powered so it would only be the portable generator fuel from the Kiwis which would be available.
All flights to and from McMurdo are by either the US military (New York Air Guard etc.) and the occasional Kiwi C130.
There are no civilian flights to or from McMurdo to anywhere.
Hippolite
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great post, Kavu. 
Yep, Alex Henshaw, Jean Batten, Amy Johnson, et al. ... a bunch of good-for-nothings who achieved nothing and required too much official assistance.
Personally I think that you're simply jealous of all of Jon Johannsen's many accomplishments.
Yep, Alex Henshaw, Jean Batten, Amy Johnson, et al. ... a bunch of good-for-nothings who achieved nothing and required too much official assistance.
Personally I think that you're simply jealous of all of Jon Johannsen's many accomplishments.
