Feds buy A319 for Antarctic Service
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Feds buy A319 for Antarctic Service
Antarctic researchers get their own plane
As reported by the ABC
The Federal Government has announced it has acquired the plane for its $46 million Antarctic air service.
The Airbus 319 will fly up to 20 missions a year, enabling Australian researchers to get to Antarctica in four hours instead of spending 10 days on a ship.
Environment Minister Ian Campbell says the flights from Hobart will start early next year.
"It is quite an historic occasion," he said.
"It will ensure that the Australian Government's scientific programs based on Antarctica are given the best support of any Antarctic program anywhere on planet Earth.
"The importance of that scientific program is now quite phenomenal."
Senator Campbell says quicker access to Antarctica will boost efforts to tackle climate change.
"This aircraft will ensure that the world's best scientists ... from across Australia, but also internationally, will be able to collaborate to create some of the best climate change science and assist us in addressing the greatest environmental challenge," he said.
As reported by the ABC
The Federal Government has announced it has acquired the plane for its $46 million Antarctic air service.
The Airbus 319 will fly up to 20 missions a year, enabling Australian researchers to get to Antarctica in four hours instead of spending 10 days on a ship.
Environment Minister Ian Campbell says the flights from Hobart will start early next year.
"It is quite an historic occasion," he said.
"It will ensure that the Australian Government's scientific programs based on Antarctica are given the best support of any Antarctic program anywhere on planet Earth.
"The importance of that scientific program is now quite phenomenal."
Senator Campbell says quicker access to Antarctica will boost efforts to tackle climate change.
"This aircraft will ensure that the world's best scientists ... from across Australia, but also internationally, will be able to collaborate to create some of the best climate change science and assist us in addressing the greatest environmental challenge," he said.
Last edited by Pedota; 11th Dec 2006 at 00:48. Reason: typo
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Considering its only doing 20 missions a year, it would be stupid to buy anything that wasn't cheap. I certainly wouldn't want anymore of my tax money being spent on an aircraft thats not going to be utilised a lot.
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ACMS, I beg to differ. If maintenance is outsourced to the other Australian A320 operator, and low hours really mean low maintenance costs altogether, the running cost difference is hardly notable (compare a 737). Therefore the biggest cost difference would be in purchase. If the aircraft was flying more, perhaps things might be different. I could be wrong...
I thought that they were getting a New Falcon 900 EX, the whole three engines argument or is there someone else now going there as well??
How does the A319 make the ETOPs requirement? Where would you go when an engine fails say in the circuit in Antartica?? Or is all this a private operation not charter?? (company employees in company aircraft on company business therefore no ETOPs)
How does the A319 make the ETOPs requirement? Where would you go when an engine fails say in the circuit in Antartica?? Or is all this a private operation not charter?? (company employees in company aircraft on company business therefore no ETOPs)
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Maybe doing it this way is actually cheaper than mil cost-recovery... ??
Buster,
Steady there, son!
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Gonna lease it, if you believe the Courier Mail:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...-29277,00.html
Don't you love the press, the following article from SBS, starts by saying the gov are purchasing the aircraft and ends by saying they are leasing it.!!!!
http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/...33386®ion=7
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...-29277,00.html
Don't you love the press, the following article from SBS, starts by saying the gov are purchasing the aircraft and ends by saying they are leasing it.!!!!
http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/...33386®ion=7
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Yeah...SBS is a bit funny sometimes....they called the A380 tte "New Boeing Airbus 380......"
And I remember reading in the Herald Sun about an "Airbus 767..."
I thought they were supposed to use an aircraft with more than two engines when flying to Antarctica? Maybe I'm mistaken.....
And I remember reading in the Herald Sun about an "Airbus 767..."
I thought they were supposed to use an aircraft with more than two engines when flying to Antarctica? Maybe I'm mistaken.....
The A319CJ will be leased from CIT Leasing and operated by Skytraders, who already operate the CASA 212s that fly around Antarctica. From what I read, it will be operated from Hobart, and the A319 with CFM engines now has 180min ETOPS clearance, so that should all be fine.
