A 12-Day Global Flight in a 60-Year-Old Plane.
Navigating the skies over Antarctica poses a formidable challenge for both pilots and aircraft. Surprisingly, a 60-year-old Canadian plane has proven to be the ideal choice for this demanding task.
“It’s a massive adventure,” remarks Vicky Auld, the Deputy Chief Pilot for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). She is gearing up for the organization’s annual autumn ferry flight from Canada to Antarctica. This extensive journey, meticulously planned for months, will span 55 hours over 12 days, covering approximately 13,700 kilometers (8,500 miles) in a straight line.
This year, Auld will be at the controls of BAS’s relatively comfortable and spacious four-engine de Havilland Dash-7. In contrast, most of her fellow pilots will be flying south in aging twin-engine aircraft that lack pressurized cabins and are over 40 years old.
The de Havilland Twin Otters, designed in the 1960s and still in production today, are often referred to as the “Land Rover of the skies.” Auld describes them as “overengineered, adaptable, and rugged,” perfect for bush flying. “Whether on skis, floats, or large tundra tires, their short take-off and landing capabilities allow access to locations that would be impossible with other planes.”
In Antarctica, BAS employs Twin Otters for a wide range of tasks, from conducting airborne scientific research to supplying fuel and transporting field teams to remote sites. “It’s unique,” Auld explains. “I can land in areas where no one has ever touched down before.”
The Twin Otter’s wings and fuselage are painted black to facilitate snow melting, a practical design choice that enhances functionality in the harsh Antarctic environment.
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Despite being equipped with modern turboprop engines, Twin Otters maintain a vintage aesthetic, featuring prominent struts, wires, and rivets. “You could say it is fly-by-wire, but the wires connect directly from the control column to the control surfaces on the wings and tail,” notes Dan Beeden, the BAS aircraft operations manager responsible for ferry flight logistics.
Auld and Beeden are seated in the cockpit of “Ice Cold Katy,” named after one of the UK’s original Antarctic research planes, a single-engine Auster. The striking red aircraft is currently parked on the apron at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, where it fits seamlessly into the surroundings.
The Twin Otters’ reliability and versatility make them indispensable for BAS operations in Antarctica, where conditions can be extreme and unpredictable.
As Auld prepares for the journey ahead, she reflects on the unique opportunities that come with flying in such a remarkable environment, where adventure and exploration are part of the job.
In the cockpit, the excitement is palpable as they get ready for the challenges that lie ahead, embodying the spirit of exploration that defines the BAS mission.
