Intra-continental skiway locations
There are skiways or ice runways at Casey, Davis and Mawson.
Casey region
In addition to the intercontinental groomed glacial ice runway a simple skiway for intra-continental aircraft close to Casey has been established approximately 10 km east of the station. This location is accessible by wheeled vehicles when snow conditions are suitable, a trip of about 1/2 hour. The same journey in a Hagglunds over-snow vehicle takes up to an hour.
Davis region
An early summer sea ice skiway has been established immediately adjacent to Davis. When the sea ice deteriorates in this location with the onset of summer, usually in early December, operations are moved to the Plough Island skiway, 6 km north of Davis.
The Davis Plateau ice skiway, approximately 40 km east of the station, is established around late December when the sea ice at Plough Island has deteriorated. Helicopters are used to transfer personnel and cargo between the skiway and the station, a trip of about 20 minutes.
Mawson region
An early summer sea ice skiway has been established close to Mawson.
During summer, when sea ice is not present, a skiway or ice runway on the inland ice plateau is required. This has been established at Rumdoodle, approximately 10 km from Mawson, a 1 hour Hagglunds ride from the station.
|
|
|
Other locations
Ski equipped aircraft are used to deploy and retrieve scientific parties at field locations throughout the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) and beyond according to the needs and priorities of scientific programs.
Operations to field locations use naturally occurring flat areas of snow, ice on the polar plateau or glaciers, and sea ice.
