Stranded pilot refused fuel in Antarctica
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Stranded pilot refused fuel in Antarctica
Excerpt from Guardian report
An Australian pilot who flew his homemade plane over the South Pole at the weekend was stranded in Antarctica because America and New Zealand refused him permission to refuel.
Jon Johanson, whose plane was grounded at the McMurdo-Scott base, run by America and New Zealand, found that the research stations there had a policy of not selling fuel to adventurers.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, who knows Mr Johanson personally, tried to get the rules waived, but the US and New Zealand refused. He said: "I'm not very optimistic about being able to persuade the New Zealanders and the Americans."
Johanson left Invercargill, on the southern tip of New Zealand, on Sunday and flew his RV-4 aircraft 3,680 miles in about 26 hours, to cross the pole. He said that he was forced to land at the base in Antarctica after high winds foiled his plans to fly on to Argentina.
Guardian Report
Extract from the Australian
AN Australian pilot stranded in Antarctica has attracted widespread public support as he continues to resist US and New Zealand offers to fly him home, his partner Sue Ball said today.
Jon Johanson is stranded at the joint US-New Zealand McMurdo-Scott base after bad weather forced him to abort his solo flight over the continent.
He was attempting to be the first person to pass over the South Pole in a home-built, single-engined aircraft.
He now needs 400 litres of fuel to return to New Zealand.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said he would not step in at this point to help an Australian pilot.
The Australian report
Not a helicopter story but, in light of recent discussions about adventurers ..........
For info: The 'home-built' is a modern factory kit plane built and tested to manufacturers' spec, not a home-design or the type of aircraft you see in pictures from the PFA rally.
The pilot has previously flown round the world and over the North Pole.
Pilot in vain search for nearest petrol station in Antarctica
12 December 2003
12 December 2003
An Australian pilot who flew his homemade plane over the South Pole at the weekend was stranded in Antarctica because America and New Zealand refused him permission to refuel.
Jon Johanson, whose plane was grounded at the McMurdo-Scott base, run by America and New Zealand, found that the research stations there had a policy of not selling fuel to adventurers.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, who knows Mr Johanson personally, tried to get the rules waived, but the US and New Zealand refused. He said: "I'm not very optimistic about being able to persuade the New Zealanders and the Americans."
Johanson left Invercargill, on the southern tip of New Zealand, on Sunday and flew his RV-4 aircraft 3,680 miles in about 26 hours, to cross the pole. He said that he was forced to land at the base in Antarctica after high winds foiled his plans to fly on to Argentina.
Extract from the Australian
Pilot 'attracts widespread support'
AN Australian pilot stranded in Antarctica has attracted widespread public support as he continues to resist US and New Zealand offers to fly him home, his partner Sue Ball said today.
Jon Johanson is stranded at the joint US-New Zealand McMurdo-Scott base after bad weather forced him to abort his solo flight over the continent.
He was attempting to be the first person to pass over the South Pole in a home-built, single-engined aircraft.
He now needs 400 litres of fuel to return to New Zealand.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said he would not step in at this point to help an Australian pilot.
Not a helicopter story but, in light of recent discussions about adventurers ..........
For info: The 'home-built' is a modern factory kit plane built and tested to manufacturers' spec, not a home-design or the type of aircraft you see in pictures from the PFA rally.
The pilot has previously flown round the world and over the North Pole.
Last edited by Heliport; 12th Dec 2003 at 16:34.
Senis Semper Fidelis
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Is this yet another sad case of KEEP out of our private area, and by offering no help with fuel therby deter others, Soft , mean hearted GITS, even though we beat em at the World Cup I think this Ozzie guy should be given the fuel!
Wouldn't happen at the North Pole, Santa Would help!!
Wouldn't happen at the North Pole, Santa Would help!!
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At the risk of starting yet another thread about foolish adventurers, this story is not about fuels, it is about fools.
That idiot flew to the point where he had to say, "Save me!" A nice trip home is quite satisfactory, and let him bring his factory/home/kit built home as a kit.
I spoke once to a Coast Guard pilot who expressed his exasperation at risking his life to fly way offshore at night to help yet another ill-prepared fool who simply KNEW somebody would save his sorry ass after he had painted himself in a corner. The Coastie said they would like to have permission to drop the emergency pump from 500 feet to help Darwin.
Regarding the saving of this Antarctic fool, the press that he now generated should help stave off the thousands of idiots who would try it, too, if they knew someone would "rescue" them when they, too, failed.
That idiot flew to the point where he had to say, "Save me!" A nice trip home is quite satisfactory, and let him bring his factory/home/kit built home as a kit.
I spoke once to a Coast Guard pilot who expressed his exasperation at risking his life to fly way offshore at night to help yet another ill-prepared fool who simply KNEW somebody would save his sorry ass after he had painted himself in a corner. The Coastie said they would like to have permission to drop the emergency pump from 500 feet to help Darwin.
Regarding the saving of this Antarctic fool, the press that he now generated should help stave off the thousands of idiots who would try it, too, if they knew someone would "rescue" them when they, too, failed.
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Nick you are absolutely correct.
Here in UK we have the fools who head out into the English Channel without any regard to weather and 'DEMAND' that they are rescued pronto and complain bitterly if the SAR were a couple of minutes late. Crystal Balls are prone to all sorts of failure but not allowed when the sailing fools are on the water.
This is a blatent case of not doing the 5P's. Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Yes I know there's 6, it just goes to show how important P's are
Here in UK we have the fools who head out into the English Channel without any regard to weather and 'DEMAND' that they are rescued pronto and complain bitterly if the SAR were a couple of minutes late. Crystal Balls are prone to all sorts of failure but not allowed when the sailing fools are on the water.
This is a blatent case of not doing the 5P's. Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Yes I know there's 6, it just goes to show how important P's are
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Although I'm definately in support of the prepared adventurer, I have to concede that folks like this have more money than common sense and it's proper that he's grounded. Activities like Jennifer Murray's 'Round the World' attempt show a stark contrast in preparation and resources, including their own SAR team. This is quite the opposite...
MESS WITH THE BULL AND YOU GET THE HORNS!
MESS WITH THE BULL AND YOU GET THE HORNS!
Poor old Ocker - first those big old meanies the US and the Kiwis won't dig him out of his self-inflicted fix, now it looks as though salvation might have to come from one of us whingeing Poms (see this article)
I've gone into print on this subject before
, and the intrepid homebuilder's dilemma has only served to reinforce my opinion: one person's lack of - or inability to carry out appropriate - forward planning should not have to constitute anyone else's idea of an emergency. He's been offered a ticket home; if he gets anything more, then we'll get SAR services being billed for non-salvage of sinking yachts and R22s next.
I did like the other thread's idea of $1000 per litre of MOGAS, though.
BBC have now (121919ZDec03) updated the article to this, in which the lady concerned is more complimentary about the homebuilder's interpretation of the forecast than others have been.
I've gone into print on this subject before
, and the intrepid homebuilder's dilemma has only served to reinforce my opinion: one person's lack of - or inability to carry out appropriate - forward planning should not have to constitute anyone else's idea of an emergency. He's been offered a ticket home; if he gets anything more, then we'll get SAR services being billed for non-salvage of sinking yachts and R22s next.I did like the other thread's idea of $1000 per litre of MOGAS, though.
BBC have now (121919ZDec03) updated the article to this, in which the lady concerned is more complimentary about the homebuilder's interpretation of the forecast than others have been.
Last edited by Thud_and_Blunder; 13th Dec 2003 at 05:50.
I thought 407`s ran on Avtur, and RV`S ran on Avgas/Mogas....?
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Yes they do, but this fuel is coming from Polly Vacher NOT Jennifer Murray. Polly Vacher is another British woman, but in a Piper f/w rather than a heli.
Seems like a busy time in the Antarctic at the moment!
Seems like a busy time in the Antarctic at the moment!
Didn`t RTFQ, did I.? Oooppsss ,Sorrreeee.
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Gentlemen,
before I call someone idiot, I'd really check his background first.
.....and coming from you Nick it is even worse as you are a rather well known public figure.
Mr Johanson is anything but an idiot when it comes to long distance flying. Just because some of us (me included) don't see the sense in long distance flights or trying to break record doesn't mean these guys are idiots.
If you are on a budget, you cannot have a fuel depot in every possible emergency landing spot.
Mrs. Vacher planned to land in Antarctica, Johannson did not.
He also did not get himself "painted in the corner" nor did he cry "Safe me!" He did the exactly right thing - abort the flight and make a safe landing on a safe place.
Maybe some of you are members of the EAA - in this case you could read about Jon Johannson and his airplane. Topnotch equipment and a sound attitude to it.
If you call him an idiot you will have to call the whole racing world (air, land, sea) idiots. ....Aerobatics as well, especially helicopter acrobatics!!! What about mountain climbers, what the hell for are you struggling to crawl up that wall, just to have to pick you up with the helicopter because you missjudged it!
I don't wish bad luck to anyone, but the folks who run their precious stations in Antarctica should run afoul of something sometime and depend on someone elses help - Tourism in Antartica will/is happening anyway, they will not prevent it!
Never mind nice gesture to offer him a flight out, for the same money they could have offered him to fly in a couple of gallons of gas. I do not blame him that he refuses to dismantle his airplane - he spent a long time building it! And what an airplane it is!
As mentioned, it is one of the finest airplanes you can get your hands on, not a tarpcovered junkyard wars contraption.
Flying it out at his cost? What a BS! For less he could fly in fuel to refuel his plane 3 times!
Why fly him out if he can go on his way perfectly by himself. So if the fuel costs 50 bucks a gallon, this would be deterent enough for most flying visitors.
I am sure that not any of the polar circling team has fuel in every possible emergency landing spot.
Why the great hurra for the 407 going down there. If this ship should go down I am sure it will not just be their rescue team looking for them, but every service available in the area.
If you want to take of every (real) idiot that gets himself in trouble from a list of "elegible" victims, you will hardly have anyone left to rescue and warrant your service in operation....fine the "idiots" for beeing neglective about safety after you get them.
I did no one hear saying that Q was an idiot, when trying Antarctica - are helicopters different in this respect?
How many single engine airplanes fly the atlantic every year - ...... all idiots?
Some off us don't have or see the need or don't have the time for records, but most of the helicopter drivers I know got in a bind or two in their career and where glad to get a hand to get out.
Jon Johannson makes a living advertising his sponsors, just like others. He got in a bind - give him a hand for christ sakes!
3top
before I call someone idiot, I'd really check his background first.
.....and coming from you Nick it is even worse as you are a rather well known public figure.
Mr Johanson is anything but an idiot when it comes to long distance flying. Just because some of us (me included) don't see the sense in long distance flights or trying to break record doesn't mean these guys are idiots.
If you are on a budget, you cannot have a fuel depot in every possible emergency landing spot.
Mrs. Vacher planned to land in Antarctica, Johannson did not.
He also did not get himself "painted in the corner" nor did he cry "Safe me!" He did the exactly right thing - abort the flight and make a safe landing on a safe place.
Maybe some of you are members of the EAA - in this case you could read about Jon Johannson and his airplane. Topnotch equipment and a sound attitude to it.
If you call him an idiot you will have to call the whole racing world (air, land, sea) idiots. ....Aerobatics as well, especially helicopter acrobatics!!! What about mountain climbers, what the hell for are you struggling to crawl up that wall, just to have to pick you up with the helicopter because you missjudged it!
I don't wish bad luck to anyone, but the folks who run their precious stations in Antarctica should run afoul of something sometime and depend on someone elses help - Tourism in Antartica will/is happening anyway, they will not prevent it!
Never mind nice gesture to offer him a flight out, for the same money they could have offered him to fly in a couple of gallons of gas. I do not blame him that he refuses to dismantle his airplane - he spent a long time building it! And what an airplane it is!
As mentioned, it is one of the finest airplanes you can get your hands on, not a tarpcovered junkyard wars contraption.
Flying it out at his cost? What a BS! For less he could fly in fuel to refuel his plane 3 times!
Why fly him out if he can go on his way perfectly by himself. So if the fuel costs 50 bucks a gallon, this would be deterent enough for most flying visitors.
I am sure that not any of the polar circling team has fuel in every possible emergency landing spot.
Why the great hurra for the 407 going down there. If this ship should go down I am sure it will not just be their rescue team looking for them, but every service available in the area.
If you want to take of every (real) idiot that gets himself in trouble from a list of "elegible" victims, you will hardly have anyone left to rescue and warrant your service in operation....fine the "idiots" for beeing neglective about safety after you get them.
I did no one hear saying that Q was an idiot, when trying Antarctica - are helicopters different in this respect?
How many single engine airplanes fly the atlantic every year - ...... all idiots?
Some off us don't have or see the need or don't have the time for records, but most of the helicopter drivers I know got in a bind or two in their career and where glad to get a hand to get out.
Jon Johannson makes a living advertising his sponsors, just like others. He got in a bind - give him a hand for christ sakes!
3top
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The main difference, as you pointed out yourself, is that "if you are on a budget" you shouldn't be doing something like this without adequate resources in the first place. Otherwise, some of the nay sayers have a point about every Tom, Dick, and Harry trying similar stunts because it would be cool. Perhaps he should have gotten additional sponsorship revenue before taking flight. Hind site is always 20/20 and it is even easier for us to arm chair quarterback this from behind the computer, but if he planned for every contingency - he certainly would have been aware of the McMurdo Station policy in advance.
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RD,
you may be right about Jon not knowing about local policies.
However I personally would have guessed myself that this might be the possibly most helpful people you could run across, considering where they live - depending on each other only for short term and emergency help. Maybe that the very people down there are just that, but the station policy may not be made them, but the organisations that run the stations.
Again, Johannson seems well organized. He just did not plan to land where he had to, on the other hand he might after all - in an emrgency!
I am sure, if his plan would have been to land there, he might have had a fuel supply ready. Hell, he even may know about their policy, but as his plan was to go to Argentina, he did not see the need to "waste" money on fuel expiring in the snow ( I understand he plans with quite a bit of reserve-fuel for delays). But if you get unforcast weather you have to decide! His landing on the base was safe procedure and giving him a hand to leave a nice gesture. Instead he gets threadened to loose his source of income (his airplane). He might have wanted to buy the fuel, but where do you buy if the only source refuses to sell - and just to make a statement!!
I will try to find out more!
3top
you may be right about Jon not knowing about local policies.
However I personally would have guessed myself that this might be the possibly most helpful people you could run across, considering where they live - depending on each other only for short term and emergency help. Maybe that the very people down there are just that, but the station policy may not be made them, but the organisations that run the stations.
Again, Johannson seems well organized. He just did not plan to land where he had to, on the other hand he might after all - in an emrgency!
I am sure, if his plan would have been to land there, he might have had a fuel supply ready. Hell, he even may know about their policy, but as his plan was to go to Argentina, he did not see the need to "waste" money on fuel expiring in the snow ( I understand he plans with quite a bit of reserve-fuel for delays). But if you get unforcast weather you have to decide! His landing on the base was safe procedure and giving him a hand to leave a nice gesture. Instead he gets threadened to loose his source of income (his airplane). He might have wanted to buy the fuel, but where do you buy if the only source refuses to sell - and just to make a statement!!
I will try to find out more!
3top
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adventurer???
What kind of adventurer needs someone else to save his/her ass all the time?
In days gone by, the true adventurers relied on their own resourcefulness due to the lack of anyone else being around. There was no camp or established station enroute. They made it up because they had to. This is the 100th year of aviation, right??
With all we have established, this "aviator" just did not plan well enough with all the resources available.....knowing that he would not be sold fuel at that sight.
D.K
In days gone by, the true adventurers relied on their own resourcefulness due to the lack of anyone else being around. There was no camp or established station enroute. They made it up because they had to. This is the 100th year of aviation, right??
With all we have established, this "aviator" just did not plan well enough with all the resources available.....knowing that he would not be sold fuel at that sight.
D.K
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What do you mean with "all the time"? Did he need any rescue before?
Some more interesting reading to this on:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...5&pagenumber=1
and
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=111730
I just hope that everyone bashing on this thread is a perfect aviator and never goes wrong anywhere!
3top
Some more interesting reading to this on:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...5&pagenumber=1
and
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=111730
I just hope that everyone bashing on this thread is a perfect aviator and never goes wrong anywhere!
3top
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3top,
Any pilot who ventures into deadly territory, runs low on gas and lands at a closed facility and then demands that he be refueled has definately painted himself in a corner, at least in my book. Maybe idiot is too strong a word, I will accept that critique.
Nick
PS I would like to live in your house, eat your food and drink your wine because I seem to be a little short of funds this month. How about it? You seem to be the kind of guy who wants to help support us folks who just can't quite plan correctly....
Any pilot who ventures into deadly territory, runs low on gas and lands at a closed facility and then demands that he be refueled has definately painted himself in a corner, at least in my book. Maybe idiot is too strong a word, I will accept that critique.
Nick
PS I would like to live in your house, eat your food and drink your wine because I seem to be a little short of funds this month. How about it? You seem to be the kind of guy who wants to help support us folks who just can't quite plan correctly....
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Nick,
if you ever show up in this corner of the world, I will insist to feed you! At least for one dinner - then I might be joining the club of those with the planing problem!
Running out of juice is not an option for me, too much deadly territory around here, though not freezing at least.
I don't have the urge to go long distance either, though I would crave a couple of lessons from Rich Lee or you!
See, I am not immune either!
3top,
PS: I hope to find out more about the story....
if you ever show up in this corner of the world, I will insist to feed you! At least for one dinner - then I might be joining the club of those with the planing problem!
Running out of juice is not an option for me, too much deadly territory around here, though not freezing at least.
I don't have the urge to go long distance either, though I would crave a couple of lessons from Rich Lee or you!
See, I am not immune either!
3top,
PS: I hope to find out more about the story....
Senis Semper Fidelis
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Nick,
I feel your comments whilst being uttered by oneof the wisest and most experienced persons on the Rotorhead site, are indeed a little harsh and are putting you into the same catagory as could be identified as being politically correct.
This man is obviously a skilled pilot, he has travelled an immense distance which took more than a full days tavel, most people on the Rotorheads forum fly for three or four hour and are out of gas, this man must have filed a flight plan somewhere,and whatever any one may say or write he navigated the Southern Oceans and covered a huge amount of white of white flying, my very rough calcs indicate he was flying at about 140mph (divide time into miles) so the aircraft cannot be likened to a childs kite, I was always brought up and educated to believe in man spirit of adventure, I could sink into list of humans both men and women who have gone beyond the horizon and Lo what do they see, another horizon still which they also go beyond.
Without that sort of spirit, our world would have been a much different place now.
If you could only go when you had(in your words) "A Coastie" to hold your hand, our world would be very small indeed if it wasn't for people with such a SPRIT OF ADVENTURE.!
Sadly some posters on this thread just love to jump into the safe comfort of joining your gang, some write of his PP re the fuel, well 26 hours means that he did carry a lot of fuel, also the wind will get stronger OR weaker within that time window.
So come on Fellas, give the guy a break give him the fuel and send him home, or are you going to be scuppered by a litte old lady from Great Britain, who, whilst in her own Horizon bustin adventure, is prepared to sell or give this man the fuel.
One name to all of you, who is a serial failure at adventure, and some business, but yet all of you would stand with your tongues hanging out just to stand with this guy ,
RICHARD BRANSON Epic Failure a most of his adventures, always needs a COASTIE
I feel your comments whilst being uttered by oneof the wisest and most experienced persons on the Rotorhead site, are indeed a little harsh and are putting you into the same catagory as could be identified as being politically correct.
This man is obviously a skilled pilot, he has travelled an immense distance which took more than a full days tavel, most people on the Rotorheads forum fly for three or four hour and are out of gas, this man must have filed a flight plan somewhere,and whatever any one may say or write he navigated the Southern Oceans and covered a huge amount of white of white flying, my very rough calcs indicate he was flying at about 140mph (divide time into miles) so the aircraft cannot be likened to a childs kite, I was always brought up and educated to believe in man spirit of adventure, I could sink into list of humans both men and women who have gone beyond the horizon and Lo what do they see, another horizon still which they also go beyond.
Without that sort of spirit, our world would have been a much different place now.
If you could only go when you had(in your words) "A Coastie" to hold your hand, our world would be very small indeed if it wasn't for people with such a SPRIT OF ADVENTURE.!
Sadly some posters on this thread just love to jump into the safe comfort of joining your gang, some write of his PP re the fuel, well 26 hours means that he did carry a lot of fuel, also the wind will get stronger OR weaker within that time window.
So come on Fellas, give the guy a break give him the fuel and send him home, or are you going to be scuppered by a litte old lady from Great Britain, who, whilst in her own Horizon bustin adventure, is prepared to sell or give this man the fuel.
One name to all of you, who is a serial failure at adventure, and some business, but yet all of you would stand with your tongues hanging out just to stand with this guy ,
RICHARD BRANSON Epic Failure a most of his adventures, always needs a COASTIE
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Give him a break.....
Whilst I have been critical of ill prepared thrill seekers, normally with the minimum of qualifications, undertaking what we do nearly every day then claiming some silly claim to fame and then being internationally recognized as some type of Hero!!!....critical YES….Jealous…NO.
Not that I have ever met this Aussie chap, but know a few who have, and by all accounts he is no fool, just loves flying and stretching his bladder.
Recently I was flying across Asia in a multi crew IFR twin and not only had to divert due to unknown storms on track, but had to turn 90 degrees and without diplomatic approvals, declared a Technical Landing Request and landed in a foreign country with them only having 50 minutes of warning…..refueled, shook hands, [would have loved to have stayed the night] and departed with smiles and friendly waves from the locals.
I was not planning this diversion [but knew it was there if I needed it], and neither was this Fixed Wing Chap [at least this landing proves he planned correctly].
Pity he was not given the same courtesy [as expected (if not required by ICAO) when a Technical Landing is requested] as I was, but then again he was an Aussie not a Yank.
With all that fuel onboard, he should have landed at an Aussie base and had Christmas with them. {and still could}.
Nick....Are you having a bad weekend...or are we seeing the true Nick????
Not that I have ever met this Aussie chap, but know a few who have, and by all accounts he is no fool, just loves flying and stretching his bladder.
Recently I was flying across Asia in a multi crew IFR twin and not only had to divert due to unknown storms on track, but had to turn 90 degrees and without diplomatic approvals, declared a Technical Landing Request and landed in a foreign country with them only having 50 minutes of warning…..refueled, shook hands, [would have loved to have stayed the night] and departed with smiles and friendly waves from the locals.
I was not planning this diversion [but knew it was there if I needed it], and neither was this Fixed Wing Chap [at least this landing proves he planned correctly].
Pity he was not given the same courtesy [as expected (if not required by ICAO) when a Technical Landing is requested] as I was, but then again he was an Aussie not a Yank.
With all that fuel onboard, he should have landed at an Aussie base and had Christmas with them. {and still could}.
Nick....Are you having a bad weekend...or are we seeing the true Nick????
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Let me get this straight, this guy turns up at a place, not wanted and uninvited and expects to be bailed out.
And a couple of you are using this as an opportunity to have a go at old Saint Nick cause he and no doubt a whole lot of other rotorheads have a different opinion.
No doubt he is being treated well down there and they instinctively want to help but I personally admire the base commanders decision, what precedent will it set, were are lines drawn, who will be the next fool who wants to get into the Guinness book of records for crossing the Antarctic with the least amount of fuel onboard.
Antarctic is not like other places on this planet, we dont belong there, you get in any type of trouble down there dont expect to live, and more importantly don't expect other people to go out of there way to save your sorry ass, you chose to go down, your mess, you deal with it.
And a couple of you are using this as an opportunity to have a go at old Saint Nick cause he and no doubt a whole lot of other rotorheads have a different opinion.
No doubt he is being treated well down there and they instinctively want to help but I personally admire the base commanders decision, what precedent will it set, were are lines drawn, who will be the next fool who wants to get into the Guinness book of records for crossing the Antarctic with the least amount of fuel onboard.
Antarctic is not like other places on this planet, we dont belong there, you get in any type of trouble down there dont expect to live, and more importantly don't expect other people to go out of there way to save your sorry ass, you chose to go down, your mess, you deal with it.