Saturday, August 18, 2007

Antarctica Flying Season Opens Sunday UTC



Thanks to Dallas McKenzie and Mark in Auckland via the UDXF newsgroup.

On Monday New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) or (Sunday night UTC from 1800Z onwards), flights from Christchurch International Airport will resume to Scott Base, Antarctica. The first flight to the ice will be a C-17A Globmmaster.

The main frequency used for communications will be with McMurdo on 9032.0 kHz USB. Auckland radio handles ATC comms on 8867.0 kHz USB until the aircraft reaches 60 degrees south when McMurdo takes over. Aircraft use the callsign "ICE," with the first flight next week using "ICE 1."

Dallas also noted that New Zealand daylight time will begin this year at the end of September, an additional three weeks.