A twin-engine plane has successfully completed
an historic 1,300-mile Antarctic flight
to the National Science Foundation's (NSF)
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, bringing
a new physician to replace Dr. Ronald
Shemenski.
Dr. Shemenski, 59, recently suffered a
bout of gallstones and associated pancreatitis.
The evacuation flight will return him
to the United States for treatment. Dr.
Betty Carlisle, recently the physician
at NSF's McMurdo Station in Antarctica,
will remain at South Pole station until
the end of the Antarctic winter, in early
November.
"I am delighted to hear that the plane
has arrived safely," said Karl Erb, who
heads NSF's Office of Polar Programs.
"I salute the aircrew on this historic
and unprecedented flight. We all will
rest easier knowing that Dr. Carlisle
is on hand to safeguard the well-being
of those who are helping to advance the
frontiers of science through their work
at the station."
The de Havilland Twin Otter, flown by
a Kenn Borek Air Ltd. aircrew, touched
down at 8:02 p.m. EDT at 90 degrees South
latitude.
The 1346-mile flight from the British
Antarctic Survey (BAS) Research Station
at Rothera was completed in less than
10 hours. The plane left Rothera at 10:34
a.m.
The temperature at the Pole at the time
of landing was -68 degrees Celsius (-90.4
degrees Fahrenheit) with a four-knot breeze.
The aircrew will remain on the ground
at least another 10 hours to ensure they
are sufficiently rested before attempting
the return flight to Rothera. The departure
of the return flight will be contingent
on favorable weather at Rothera.
Scientific research at the South Pole Station
ranges from the study of the origins of
the universe to the behavior of the "ozone
hole."
(Photo by Chris Martin / NSF)
Larger
version of photo.
(Photo by Chris Martin / NSF)
Larger
version of photo.
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Pole: Final preparations were made to
the flight deck at South Pole in late
April to receive a Twin Otter aircraft
that flew to the Pole April 23 to evacuate
Dr. Ronald Shemenski. The wind was blowing
at 18 knots and the windchill approached
-150F (-101C).
(Photo by Jerry Macala)
Larger versions of photos are here.
A Twin Otter aircraft, flown by employees
of Kenn Borek Air Ltd arrived at the South
Pole at 8:02 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24.
The plane brought in Dr. Betty Carlisle
to replace Dr. Ronald Shemenski, the physician
at the National Science Foundation's Amundsen-Scott
South Pole Station.
(Photo by Chris Martin / NSF)
Larger
version of photo.
(Photo by Chris Martin / NSF)
Larger
version of photo.
(Photo by Chris Martin / NSF)
Larger version
of photo.
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