Antarcticas' Helicopters
 

Does anyone know which companies supply civilian helicopter support in Antarctica?

A google search has shown Helicopters New Zealand as one such company,and they seem to support quite a few countries?Are there any others?
Has anyone any experience of flying there? Any stories would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance
Bladerunner

ICE 'N SNOW
 

Try this website; they supported the German arctic/antarctic expeditions in the past, and I think they still do, using BO 105s.

[URL=http://www.wasserthal.com]:E

Arctic/Antarctic
 

Hi Bladerunner,

thechopper is right. Helicopter Service Wasserthal out of Hamburg/Germany used to support the research vessel "Polarstern" for the past 25 years. However, they lost the contract end of last year to a different German company called HeliTransair
They also opperate two BO 105s stationed on board of the RV "Polarstern".

Helicopter Resources go to the Antarctic each year to support the Australian ANARE division from Hobart, Tasmania. Generally they use the AS350 and have used a S76, not sure what they are using now. Their senior pilot is a top bloke with over 2000 hours in the Antarctic.:cool:

PHi are down there too (or have been, at least), with AS350s - see this page

Here is another page which gives a bit more information, and mentions UCSG putting two Dauphins down there during the Antarctic summer.

G'day All,

Australian contributions to Antarctica's Rotorhead population (I think this is how it's all going to go this year):

Helicopter Resources have retained the Australian (ANARE) contract with 2 (I think) AS350s on the ice with others required on the Aurora Australis' resupply trips.

Heli Serv are supplying the Indian contingent with 2 C30 powered As350s.

LifeFlight with one (crosshired) AS350 for the French.

and Kestrel with 2 B206s operating from a cruise ship over the southern summer.

If I haven't got it fully correct, I'm sure someone will fill in the gaps.

Cheers,

MPT

PHI is in their 10th year of operating at McMurdo Station. We started there with a 212 and three AS350B2's. Now there are two 212's and two AS350B2's. Helicopters New Zealand was operating ay least one 212 at McMurdo the last time I heard anything about them. They also were operating some AS350's at the Italian Base, Terra Nova.

Rotormech, do you know what the status of the Antarctica contract is? It was supposed to come up for bid this year or next year as I recall. I've always figured I would stay in EMS for a few more years and then bid on that job if a job opening came up. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we'll keep the NSF contract!

-An Arizona PHI'er.

I wonder if the two 206's going down with Kestrel's have anything to do with the previous post about transporting Jetrangers at sea... if so I wish them all the best. The way that ship behaves in the Southern Ocean is just like a cork in a washing machine, that ship has to be the ultimate test in sorting out those who don't think they get seasick. :yuk: :yuk: :yuk: