Christchurch Airport Antarctic Air Day

[Ykato]

Christchurch Airport Antarctic Air Day

September 29
11am – 4pm
Cost: Free event
Ticket Info: (ph. )
Location: Christchurch International Airport Tarmac, entry off Orchard Road. Free parking off Peter Leeming Road.
Every October, Scott Base and McMurdo Station personnel are flown down to Ross Island, Antarctica, by the United States Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. They call this the Season Opening – and they need your help to inspect the planes before takeoff!

Since the days of American aviator, Admiral Byrd – the first person to reach the South Pole by air, in 1929 – Antarctic aviation has evolved to the point where Christchurch International Airport plays host to 100 departures a season, with aircraft like the US C-17 Globemaster and the Kiwi P3 Orion embarking on the 5–8 hour journey south. It's a whistle-stop tour, because they have to turn back pretty promptly so their fuel doesn't freeze!

Come and join the USAF and RNZAF personnel as they show you inside these incredible aircraft. Enjoy entertainment including Bond Street Bridge, brass bands and a special guest appearance by Don McGlashan. There will also be coffee, drinks and special displays right on the tarmac as they prepare for takeoff the following day.

If you get a bit peckish, pop across the road to the Antarctic Centre for hot sandwiches, burgers, salads, Scott Base Wine, snow-chilled beer, coffee and ice cream. This event is brought to you by Christchurch Airport, the United States Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Christchurch City Council.

Super cool deal - Extreme pass entry to the Antarctic Centre all weekend just $25 Adults and $10 kids - that’s less than half price!
nzicefest.co.nz/event/10669

[Ykato]

Aerial salute to Christchurch as Antarctic Season opens

Christchurch will receive a symbolic aerial salute this Friday, as the United States Air Force makes a spectacular arrival the city to mark the opening of the 2012/13 Antarctic Season.

The afternoon of Friday 28 September will run with military precision: arriving over the Pacific from Hawaii’s Hickam Air Force Base, the US Air Force C-17 Globemaster will bank in over New Brighton Pier at approximately 1.05pm, weather permitting. With a flight path that includes Chisnallwood Intermediate School, the C-17 will then make its way across the city at an altitude of 1300 feet. At approximately 1.15pm, over the NZ IceFest site in Hagley Park, personnel on board the C-17 will photograph the word “ICEFEST” on the ground below, as spelled out by a formation of visiting schoolchildren.

www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1209/S00541/aerial-salute-to-christchurch-as-antarctic-season-opens.htm

[beagle]

Yep, taken the day off work to go have a look.. battery on charge fri nite.

[Ykato]

Flight ID From To Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Type Status
RCH5E2 PHNL NZCH 9/28/2012 1:09PM IDLE C17 In Flight
travel.flightexplorer.com/airportFlights.aspx?aid=&status=2

[beagle]

yep, just waiting for it to go overhead, no sign yet'

[beagle]

Sept 25, 2012 18:31:00 GMT 12 Ykato said:

Christchurch Airport Antarctic Air Day
September 29
11am – 4pm
Cost: Free event
They call this the Season Opening – and they need your help to inspect the planes before takeoff!

Does this mean if I think I see a fault, I can make the a/c u/s

[beagle]

Soleft home at lunch time and drove passed, crowds galore, mmmm might just go do a bit of shopping and come back later.
Arrived back at 3pm, still quite a crowd and actually just got in as they closed the gates to people arriving at 3.15.
Once I got in and stood in the que to go aboard the Orion, I was told by aircrew not to bother as only about 1/2 the people that were in the que were going to get a look onboard as Everybody had to be gone by 4pm.
so went over to the C17 an the que was longer but they were throwing more people on at once. Looked pretty full in the back so probably could see too much anyway so gave it a miss.
The C130, well there wasn't one, none avaliable so they sent down a B757 instead, since it has been an Icebird itself.

a few of the photos might look the same as I am posting some that I have not shrunk etc to see what the quality looks like between them.

[ngatimozart]

Funny looking C17. See Don Scotts photo under the video.

[jonesy]

Flew in to Chch airport this afternoon, saw the long trails of people. Wouldve loved to go, then thought Nahhhh....Hope everybody enjoyed themselves today. Was just too cold for my liking to be standing in a queue!

[phil]

Sept 29, 2012 17:58:58 GMT 12 ngatimozart said:

Funny looking C17. See Don Scotts photo under the video.

Quality journalism as usual.

[beagle]

Ya know how Top Gear have a Cool board for cars.
Maybe we should have one here for reporters or journalists.
To me the article sends the message to the general public that the P3 Orion is a busy traveller like the C17 down to the ice.

[beagle]

Sept 29, 2012 18:00:44 GMT 12 jonesy said:

Flew in to Chch airport this afternoon, saw the long trails of people. Wouldve loved to go, then thought Nahhhh....Hope everybody enjoyed themselves today. Was just too cold for my liking to be standing in a queue!

Yeah it was pretty nippy with a reasonably gusty cold wind coming across the tarmac.
That shot I got of the C17 undercarriage well makes it look like the aircrew were at it all night with rags and brittlelite cleaning it for the chch public.

[Ykato]

Great Pics Beagle v The Video's not a bad watch on that link.

[Ykato]

Article on the Flyby from yesterday
United States Air Force flies in
www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7743694/United-States-Air-Force-flies-in

[raymond]

Good video clip attached to this article on the C17

www.stuff.co.nz/national/7747587/US-Globemaster-wows-Christchurch-crowds

[Ykato]

just got in as they closed the gates to people arriving at 3.15.Once I got in and stood in the que to go aboard the Orion, I was told by aircrew not to bother as only about 1/2 the people that were in the que were going to get a look onboard as Everybody had to be gone by 4pm.

If it's any benefit beagle I've never seen inside one - here's a
video from tube channel: Nije36



Airmen showcase C-17 to New Zealanders
www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123320870

Operation Deep Freeze main season begins
www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123320642