The Russian built Ilyushin 76 is an amazing aircraft, with 4 big jet engines and at least 16 wheels under the fuselage. This bird was made for hauling lots of cargo and landing in harsh Russian weather. We boarded through the rear of the aircraft. Two long rows of fold-down seats ran the length of the fuselage. Between these was all our gear along with fuel, food and other supplies for Patriot Hills. It was amazing to think that our next stop would be ANTARCTICA!
With limited views outside the aircraft, our time during the 4.5 hour flight was spent reading, taking pictures and sneaking a peek through one of the 4 small portholes. Seeing the ice shelf from 39,000 ft was amazing. In spite of the scratches and smudges on the porthole windows we were able to capture wonderful photos.
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Our flight took us over the pack ice. Above are a few views from the aircraft.
Imagine landing on ice in a Russian transport jet. Now imagine that without being able to see out a window. Talk about excitement/terror! We could all feel our descent, but it was only when our Russian in-flight manager motioned for us to buckle up that we knew we’d soon be in Antarctica. We were buckled in, awaiting touch down and trying to imagine how this aircraft could possibly land us on the ice safely.
To our relief, the landing was perfect. The reverse thrusters roared to bring the aircraft speed down to a comfortable taxi, and before we knew it, we had stopped and the back hatch of the aircraft was opening. That first glimpse of the ice through the rear hatch of the Ilyushin let us know we’d arrived in a place very different from anything we had ever experienced before – Antarctica!
Given the potentially short weather window, the off load and reload of the Ilyushin is fast.
Aside from ourselves, our gear, fuel and other supplies were off-loaded, and then the spent supplies along with those expedition members leaving the ice are reloaded and up in the air within 2 hours. With the landing on blue ice a necessity, the getting to and getting from the aircraft requires careful walking. We attached ice cleats to our boot bottoms for traction.
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Having landed in relatively calm clear conditions, our walk from the aircraft to Patriot Hills Camp was sunny and warm at +20°F. We walked to camp marveling at the beautiful Ellsworth Mountains surrounding base camp and the fact that we were in Antarctica!
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With the Sun never setting this time of year in Antarctica, we arrived at Patriot Hills Camp in time for a gracious welcome from camp hotel manager Fran, followed by dinner at 0100 hrs! Before bed we made time to call home using the camp’s Iridium 9500 telephones ($40 USD for 20 minutes), to visit the cook tent and the big communications tent, and to see how on Earth we would use the toilet in this waterless environment.
Copyright 2005 TravelQuest International. All rights reserved. 800-830-1998 Revised:
April 02, 2010. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or trademark holders.
