Stranded pilot refused fuel in Antarctica
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Exceptions confirm the rule!!
And contrary to anyone who calls on a rescue service to bail him/her out, this man did not put anyone at risk or diverted any SAR units attention from other more "worthy" ventures.
He got stuck in a situation, he did not expect, but it was not endangering to anyone.
He learned something new, no harm done.
Then there is a possibility to advice anyone filing a flight plan that might run anywhere close to this place (which is unique enough to warrant this...) of this "no fuel" -policy. Stop 'em before they get there, this way there are NO excuses - real ones or lame ones.
Now what about the kayakers in the other thread, what the heck for would you want to go down a wild river in a little plastic shell?
Should they just leave them there,as a "policy"? To deter others from being "idiots"? They got the helicopter crew in a rather dangerous position (OGE hover over a wild river,....), but then thats what these guys do for a living.....
3top
And contrary to anyone who calls on a rescue service to bail him/her out, this man did not put anyone at risk or diverted any SAR units attention from other more "worthy" ventures.
He got stuck in a situation, he did not expect, but it was not endangering to anyone.
He learned something new, no harm done.
Then there is a possibility to advice anyone filing a flight plan that might run anywhere close to this place (which is unique enough to warrant this...) of this "no fuel" -policy. Stop 'em before they get there, this way there are NO excuses - real ones or lame ones.
Now what about the kayakers in the other thread, what the heck for would you want to go down a wild river in a little plastic shell?
Should they just leave them there,as a "policy"? To deter others from being "idiots"? They got the helicopter crew in a rather dangerous position (OGE hover over a wild river,....), but then thats what these guys do for a living.....
3top
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He did not need a SAR unit but if you give the man fuel then what happens is now people think that if they make it an emergency they can get fuel there. Then they plan just to get to the base with there reserve and plan it as a fuel stop. Then the winds change and the guy runs out of fuel in the middle of the ocean and the SAR team is needed next time. You cannot make exceptions for any reason to a rule or people will exploit it.
I think it's hilarious, another aussie getting a bashing a few weeks after the world cup.
He's not in any physical danger, so the more sh*t doled out to him the better, I say. Send him a DVD of the rugby while he sits this one out. "Whingeing Aussie"
He's not in any physical danger, so the more sh*t doled out to him the better, I say. Send him a DVD of the rugby while he sits this one out. "Whingeing Aussie"
Join Date: Oct 2002
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I would be whingeing to if some knobhead halfwits wouldnt give me some fuel.
Hes probably lucky the kiwis were there as the yanks probably would have blown him out the sky excusing themselves thinking it was a terrorist attack.
Speaking of rugby ,maybe the kiwis had the sh1ts on.
In reality,they have an airstrip so why cant a private pilot land on it,especially if its a case of having to.
Apart from a few places where there are "no fly"zones ,the rest of the atmosphere is free for all and anyone can fly where they want
Hes probably lucky the kiwis were there as the yanks probably would have blown him out the sky excusing themselves thinking it was a terrorist attack.
Speaking of rugby ,maybe the kiwis had the sh1ts on.
In reality,they have an airstrip so why cant a private pilot land on it,especially if its a case of having to.
Apart from a few places where there are "no fly"zones ,the rest of the atmosphere is free for all and anyone can fly where they want
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Oh TC you stirrer....
Actually this sporting game called Rudby is a second level game in Oz, hence not many if any chaps will raise to your bait [like me!!!]...now talk Aussie Rules or Soccer then you will be listened to.
Really can't fathom why you poms get a real kick out of trying to jam you head up you mates bum...its there on TV all the time, just cant fathom......but then again I'm certainly no Pom.
Merry Xmas....
Really can't fathom why you poms get a real kick out of trying to jam you head up you mates bum...its there on TV all the time, just cant fathom......but then again I'm certainly no Pom.
Merry Xmas....
Thread Starter
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Newscom.au report
AN Australian pilot who became the first to fly over the South Pole in a homemade plane flew back to New Zealand today after being stranded on the ice for six days without fuel.
Jon Johanson from Adelaide in South Australia refuelled his single-engined plane with supplies donated by a British woman aviator who had abandoned a separate around-the-world attempt to fly over both the North and South Poles.
US and New Zealand Antarctic authorities had refused to help him out.
Johanson took off from the US McMurdo base ice runway just before 2:00am Monday (0000 AEDT) and touched down at Invercargill on the southern tip of New Zealand at about 2.55pm local time (1355 AEDT).
"He's safely landed and he's just going through the border control checks," Invercargill Airport operations manager Eric Forsyth said.
Aussierotor
Whilst still stranded, Johanson was asked (in an interview for ABC.net.au) if he'd been treated with courtesy, apart from the fuel issue?
"Oh always, with the Americans here and - and, of course, I'm dealing with the Americans. I've only ever met the New Zealanders three times. The American people on the ground here are just the most friendly, wonderful people that American people usually are. I couldn't speak highly enough of them."
Antarctic pilot reaches NZ
December 15, 2003
December 15, 2003
AN Australian pilot who became the first to fly over the South Pole in a homemade plane flew back to New Zealand today after being stranded on the ice for six days without fuel.
Jon Johanson from Adelaide in South Australia refuelled his single-engined plane with supplies donated by a British woman aviator who had abandoned a separate around-the-world attempt to fly over both the North and South Poles.
US and New Zealand Antarctic authorities had refused to help him out.
Johanson took off from the US McMurdo base ice runway just before 2:00am Monday (0000 AEDT) and touched down at Invercargill on the southern tip of New Zealand at about 2.55pm local time (1355 AEDT).
"He's safely landed and he's just going through the border control checks," Invercargill Airport operations manager Eric Forsyth said.
Aussierotor
Whilst still stranded, Johanson was asked (in an interview for ABC.net.au) if he'd been treated with courtesy, apart from the fuel issue?
"Oh always, with the Americans here and - and, of course, I'm dealing with the Americans. I've only ever met the New Zealanders three times. The American people on the ground here are just the most friendly, wonderful people that American people usually are. I couldn't speak highly enough of them."
Senis Semper Fidelis
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Could some one confirm, wheter or not the Airspace at the South pole is FREE To FLY IN or is it private and owed by state or America.
Last week apparently some old Grannie was attempting to land her R44 on the ice, to have a meet up with her hubby who is out there walking across the South Pole.
Anyone??
Last week apparently some old Grannie was attempting to land her R44 on the ice, to have a meet up with her hubby who is out there walking across the South Pole.
Anyone??
Reuters, Sunday Dec 14th:
----------------------------------------------------
The Australian foreign ministry spokeswoman said Johanson's experience highlighted the need for proper preparation and consultation by anyone planning such a venture.
The United States and New Zealand have strict policies of offering little help beyond humanitarian assistance to try and discourage ad-hoc, unorganized adventures or tourism in the environmentally fragile Antarctic.
"Australia shares this position and will work with other countries toward a more effective tourism policy for the Antarctic in the coming months," the spokeswoman said.
------------------------------------------------------------
Takes a woman to sort you aussies out; both at home and in the middle of no-where
Next.............
----------------------------------------------------
The Australian foreign ministry spokeswoman said Johanson's experience highlighted the need for proper preparation and consultation by anyone planning such a venture.
The United States and New Zealand have strict policies of offering little help beyond humanitarian assistance to try and discourage ad-hoc, unorganized adventures or tourism in the environmentally fragile Antarctic.
"Australia shares this position and will work with other countries toward a more effective tourism policy for the Antarctic in the coming months," the spokeswoman said.
------------------------------------------------------------
Takes a woman to sort you aussies out; both at home and in the middle of no-where
Next.............
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Visitors to antartica
Interesting thread about which 2 things emerge. Virtually all real adventure in the Antarctic stopped after Amundsen/Scott/Shackleton. Anything else has had the gloss taken off it because of the resources and technology [radio/materials/GPS/SAR] now available in huge quantities. It is really 'tourist adventure'. Perhaps the next one at the South Pole will be the first to do it wearing an England World Cup rugger shirt.
The second point is that Antarctica is unique in that it is virgin territory and is an open air laboratory for planetary/earth/oceanographic sciences. The more visitors or 'adventurers' who cross it, the more polluted it becomes to the detriment of us all. Every time I work, I am only too aware of how much pollution I cause! I accept this in my country as a necessary evil, but why do this to such a beautiful continent to be praised as an 'adventurer'. I would have more respect for someone who did it by surface means, or is that too dangerous?
BTW, I am planning to be the first person in all human history to fly backwards over an ice cube from my fridge without GPS soon, any sponsors out there?
The second point is that Antarctica is unique in that it is virgin territory and is an open air laboratory for planetary/earth/oceanographic sciences. The more visitors or 'adventurers' who cross it, the more polluted it becomes to the detriment of us all. Every time I work, I am only too aware of how much pollution I cause! I accept this in my country as a necessary evil, but why do this to such a beautiful continent to be praised as an 'adventurer'. I would have more respect for someone who did it by surface means, or is that too dangerous?
BTW, I am planning to be the first person in all human history to fly backwards over an ice cube from my fridge without GPS soon, any sponsors out there?
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Report from 'The Age'
Johanson overwhelmed by Adelaide reception
An Australian pilot stranded in Antarctica after running low on fuel says he was overwhelmed by the reception he received when he landed in Adelaide last night.
Jon Johanson, who became the first pilot to fly a home-made plane solo over the South Pole, said he was surprised to learn of the high profile he had gained during his plight.
"It was almost overwhelming, there were so many people there, so many well wishers," he told the Nine Network.
"From where I've been I haven't fully been aware of everything that's gone on and it's surprised me so much.
"And then to have such a welcome home, what more could you wish for?"
Head winds jeopardised the 47-year-old's initial course to Argentina following his record flight over the South Pole and forced him to land at the joint United States-New Zealand McMurdo-Scott base on the Antarctic.
Mr Johanson asked US and NZ officials to sell him the 400 litres of fuel he required to return to NZ but, despite Australian government appeals, they refused under a policy of discouraging tourists to the base.
Relief came on Friday when British pilot Polly Vacher, who was forced by bad weather to abandon her attempt to fly around the world over both poles, offered Mr Johanson her spare fuel stored at the base.
Mr Johanson said rather than jeopardising his quest, he had taken the safe option.
"We re-built the plane so that we could fly literally right over the Antarctic continent," he said.
"By the time we made it to the South Pole we knew that things were going to be tightish and the team back here had actually contacted the British to see if we could use them as a safety outlet if we needed them and they basically said no.
"When that happened we really didn't have too many options on keeping it safe.
"I was very close to getting to where I wanted to but I always put safety first."
Mr Johanson flew home via Invercargill in New Zealand, where he said he received apologies from Kiwis embarrassed by their country's refusal to supply him fuel.
Mr Johanson's partner Sue Ball said it was lovely to have the pilot back home.
- AAP
Johanson overwhelmed by Adelaide reception
An Australian pilot stranded in Antarctica after running low on fuel says he was overwhelmed by the reception he received when he landed in Adelaide last night.
Jon Johanson, who became the first pilot to fly a home-made plane solo over the South Pole, said he was surprised to learn of the high profile he had gained during his plight.
"It was almost overwhelming, there were so many people there, so many well wishers," he told the Nine Network.
"From where I've been I haven't fully been aware of everything that's gone on and it's surprised me so much.
"And then to have such a welcome home, what more could you wish for?"
Head winds jeopardised the 47-year-old's initial course to Argentina following his record flight over the South Pole and forced him to land at the joint United States-New Zealand McMurdo-Scott base on the Antarctic.
Mr Johanson asked US and NZ officials to sell him the 400 litres of fuel he required to return to NZ but, despite Australian government appeals, they refused under a policy of discouraging tourists to the base.
Relief came on Friday when British pilot Polly Vacher, who was forced by bad weather to abandon her attempt to fly around the world over both poles, offered Mr Johanson her spare fuel stored at the base.
Mr Johanson said rather than jeopardising his quest, he had taken the safe option.
"We re-built the plane so that we could fly literally right over the Antarctic continent," he said.
"By the time we made it to the South Pole we knew that things were going to be tightish and the team back here had actually contacted the British to see if we could use them as a safety outlet if we needed them and they basically said no.
"When that happened we really didn't have too many options on keeping it safe.
"I was very close to getting to where I wanted to but I always put safety first."
Mr Johanson flew home via Invercargill in New Zealand, where he said he received apologies from Kiwis embarrassed by their country's refusal to supply him fuel.
Mr Johanson's partner Sue Ball said it was lovely to have the pilot back home.
- AAP
Senis Semper Fidelis
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I feel Flying Lawyers post says quiet a lot about this saga of "Keep Out of our Playground", sad to hear the taxpayers of NZ are embarrassed by the pathetic actions of those people who refused fuel to a citizen from their near neighbours, and after all the mealy mouthed comments on this thread I am appalled to hear that the British Antartic base also refused help, what are all these tossers playing at!
Merry Christmas to all of you miserable lot in the Antartic
Merry Christmas to all of you miserable lot in the Antartic
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How come Polly Vacher didnt cause an uproar as well.
Only difference i see is that she had fuel stored there for a planned stop,while Johanson only landed to play it safe.
So the story of trying to deter adventurers is a load of hogwash
Only difference i see is that she had fuel stored there for a planned stop,while Johanson only landed to play it safe.
So the story of trying to deter adventurers is a load of hogwash
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Don't blame BAS!
It's hard to see how the British Base (Rothera) could have helped. There is absolutely no Avgas kept on base as BAS operate twin otters and a dash 7.
The only petrol is for use in Skidoos and honda generators used by field parties. This fuel is carefully budgeted for, at least a season in advance and there isn't a great deal of slack in the system. There aren't vast quantities of drummed petrol just lying around waiting to be "sold". And how much would they have to charge - try and imagine to true economic cost per litre of a drum of fuel two or three depots down the line. By the time it has been delivered to Depot X, the Twotter may have used 10 drums of Avtur. I would think that the situation at McMurdo is similar.
AFAIK Polly Vacher had fuel paid for and depoted for her trip, it wasn't "Base" fuel.
I have worked in the Antarctic for nearly 20 years but I don't know what the British policy is on "adventurers". I think it is done on a case by case basis. There is no blanket ban on entering the base such as that in force at South Pole Station (an American base) They always get a warm welcome on base, in my experience and help if required (but don't tell anyone...). Fuel (Avtur) may be supplied to other nation's aircraft but it is usually on a mutual back scratching arrangement.
FBF
The only petrol is for use in Skidoos and honda generators used by field parties. This fuel is carefully budgeted for, at least a season in advance and there isn't a great deal of slack in the system. There aren't vast quantities of drummed petrol just lying around waiting to be "sold". And how much would they have to charge - try and imagine to true economic cost per litre of a drum of fuel two or three depots down the line. By the time it has been delivered to Depot X, the Twotter may have used 10 drums of Avtur. I would think that the situation at McMurdo is similar.
AFAIK Polly Vacher had fuel paid for and depoted for her trip, it wasn't "Base" fuel.
I have worked in the Antarctic for nearly 20 years but I don't know what the British policy is on "adventurers". I think it is done on a case by case basis. There is no blanket ban on entering the base such as that in force at South Pole Station (an American base) They always get a warm welcome on base, in my experience and help if required (but don't tell anyone...). Fuel (Avtur) may be supplied to other nation's aircraft but it is usually on a mutual back scratching arrangement.
FBF
