In an unprecedented milestone, Norse Atlantic Airways has entered history as the first airline to take a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Antarctica. This epic flight, departing from Norway, was destined for the Troll Research Station, after a strategic stop in South Africa. The mission’s goal was to transport scientists and crucial supplies to the white continent.
The N0787 Norse Atlantic flight departed from Oslo (OSL) on November 13 and, after twelve hours, made a stopover in Cape Town (CPT), South Africa, where it stayed for 40 hours. At 23:03 on Wednesday, it embarked on its route towards Troll Airfield (QAT), landing in Antarctica after a five-hour flight at 02:01 (local time) on Thursday, November 16.
The main aircraft is a Boeing 787-9, with registration LN-FNC, delivered to Norse Atlantic in June 2022. With five years in service, it previously flew for Norwegian Air Shuttle.
Onboard the Boeing 787-9 were scientists from the Norwegian Polar Institute, along with a logistics crew, equipment, and essential cargo destined for the Troll Research Station and other stations in Antarctica.
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The Troll Station and the Challenges of Landing in Antarctica
Located 235 kilometers off the coast in Queen Maud Land, the Troll research station, managed by the Norwegian Polar Institute, is dedicated to environmental and climate monitoring, as well as scientific research and mapping.
The landing and takeoff runway, at 3,000 meters long, presents unique challenges as it is located on a glacier 1,232 meters above sea level. The operation required precise measurements and analysis of ice thickness. The Norwegian Polar Institute carried out detailed calculations of braking action, ensuring that takeoff and landing complied with aircraft manufacturers’ regulations and standards, maintaining optimal safety margins.
https://twitter.com/NorskPolar/status/1725100826404745268?t=SVsr-A4z6ESUmFJr79adFQ&s=08
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Before and during the flight, the crew received continuous weather reports and updates on the airport’s operability via data links and satellite telephone communication. The pilots underwent special training to familiarize themselves with the area and the runway, while all crew members were trained in Arctic survival.
Over the years, Antarctica has welcomed flights from various aircraft, from Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 to a HiFly Airbus A340, a Smartwings Boeing 737 MAX, Ilyushin 76, C-130 Hercules from various nations based on the continent, and other smaller aircraft.
It also receives charter flights for tourists seeking to explore the white continent, such as those operated by Aerovias DAP during the Austral summer season with their «Jumbolinos». Similarly, Qantas often organizes scenic flights to Antarctica with its Boeing 787s.
