[Note: While we all wait for the last (3-4) days of the "countdown", at least, a few of us, (probably) continue to "play"...🙂...after all, the reason, we're all so excited about the new SIM, is because, of our regularly (?) needed dose of escapades into the world of (imaginary) aviation fun (speaking especially for the "non-pilot" enthusiasts, around here, me included...)...I realize, though, our normal life (usually) gets in the way,....which, for most of us, does not (did not) involve flying real airplanes. So, here we go, with my most recent (virtual) adventure. Hope you enjoy.]

This week, while skimming (and filtering out) the usual flood of news tidbits (about the pandemic), I ran into an article, that struck a chord with me from several angles. Coincidentally, it contained three things in aviation, that has (recently) fascinated me, as an (amateur) aviation fan.

1. Antarctica Continent - (I'd prepared a couple of posts about my SIM expedition, to this final frontier on Earth, in a C-130 Hercules.)
2. Qantas Airline - (I've recently posted my accounts of exploring couple of fascinating aspects (and events) about this interesting (and historic) Airline.)
3. Boeing 787 - (My username says it...🙂...ever since I'd witnessed, during my visit to Seattle, one of the first 787s in ANA colors, outside the Everett Facility Building, the impression has stayed with me...those (swept) wings, (oversized) engines, (sleek) nose etc...somehow, they had looked different to my eyes...)

So, here is the news item: Although Qantas is forced to place, most of its 787s, in (temporary) storage, due to the current state of affairs, it is planning to restart its tradition of scenic (sightseeing) tours to Antarctica. Starting in November through February (best period of visit to the continent), these one-day (non-stop) return-trips (e.g. Perth<->Perth) to the frozen continent, will last (approximately) 12-13 hours and will be operated by Qantas' B787-9 Dreamliners.

Consider these two promotional statements:

1. "There is no passport or luggage needed for such an Antarctica Flight, you can even go in board shorts (had to look up this one...🙂...), if you wish...". And, with no landing involved, it's considered a "domestic" flight for Australian citizens.
2. "It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Antarctica in a (single) day. It’s the best answer to the question, 'What did you get up to on the weekend?' Oh...Just popped down to Antarctica...”

There is a catch, though, which, of course, is the cost, which, kind of, ruled me out, especially while looking ahead to some financial layouts (coming up in future) for a newer rig for the new SIM,...🙂....that's why, I'm here, with this post on Antarctica...!

BTW, here are the (interesting) cost structures (in AUD), if you care to know:

1. Explorer Economy Class - $1,199 (No access to windows, but, free to stand in the aisles and the common areas...)
2. Standard Economy Class - $2,199 (Four seats on each side over or near the wing...with half-hour (guaranteed) in a window seat...)
3. Superior Economy Class - $3,199 (All seats well clear of the wing for excellent viewing...sides to be exchanged half-way...)
4. Business Class - $6,499 (At the leading edge of the plane’s wing, which means there will be a slight viewing obstruction, but, with full international business class service...obviously, I like this one...🙂...oh well...)
5. Etc.

I found one actual (Perth<->Perth) FlightAware Flightplan Route, back from January, last year (2019), as follows, flown by a QT (B747-400):

"DCT 35S116E 40S114E 45S112E 50S110E/M083F300 55S108E/M084F320 60S105E 65S101E 66S100E/M084F350 65S101E 60S105E 55S108E 50S110E/M084F370 45S112E 40S114E 35S116E"

With that data, back to my fictitious adventure of this post...I thought of making a trip to Antarctica (emboldened by my (i.e. Aerosoft's) excellent Antarctica scenery rendition). I picked up a Qantas (QW) B787-9 repaint, for this flight [Reg. (VH-VKA) is actually coming up as a (B787-8) for me on-line (?), but, good enough, here...]. I inserted the (above) LAT/LONG co-ordinates into a Flightplan, and uploaded it into the QW-787's FMS (Please see SimBrief Screenshot). The part where I differed from the actual Antarctica excursion, is after reaching the coast of Antarctica (see the Top-Down view (Globe) shot - look for the Red cross-wire for my (aircraft) location). Once I reached the edge of Antarctica, per the RW flightplan, I simply tracked eastward towards the (U.S.) McMurdo Station's famous (packed) Ice Runway (NZIR). [Side Note: With creation of the newest Phoenix (NZFX) Airfield, all major (wheeled) aircraft operations (including the routine C-130 Hercules visits) have been now moved to this new runway. NZFX is located approximately 3 miles away from McMurdo, further up on the (Ross) ice-shelf. However, for creation of the SimBrief Flightplan, here, I've used NZFX, as my Destination. SimBrief (correctly) did not recognize the (discontinued) NZIR Ice Runway as a valid destination in Antarctica].

Also, instead of taking the (daunting) long way back (to Perth), I've, instead, elected to land my (virtual) 787 on the (quite familiar to me...🙂...) NZIR/McMurdo Station's Ice Runway (Ice Rwy well-simulated by Aerosoft). BTW, in RW, Boeing 757 Jets, of RNZAF and Icelandic Airline Loftleiðir, in the past, have, indeed, made experimental landings into McMurdo's Ice Runway, besides other large aircraft such as (regularly visiting) C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster etc.. However, normally, all sightseeing (commercial) jets, typically, perform (only) low fly-overs in Antarctica without a touchdown.

So, please find, below, a set of images of Qantas' B787 (I've done a Cold & Dark start-up, for my (own) practice and refresher, as I've not flown this SIM much), lifting off Perth (YPPH) and destined for McMurdo (NZIR) - flight operated, free of cost, by yours truly...🙂....(with start of trip (magically) set to December). The actual (future) flight will also likely hug the (Antarctic) coastlines, with reduced flight levels for better sighting. Here, my (coastal-tracking) altitudes are near 10,000 feet. Among the screenshots, below, I've included one image of the 12,448' Mt. Erebus (on Ross Island; the summit (dangerously) near the McMurdo Station; site of the tragic Air New Zealand Flight 901 (DC-10) disaster). And, I was sure, if I got deeper into Antarctica (which I've not done here), I would find (only) an endless (and desolate) landscape of ice and snow....(Antarctica continent is actually covered with ice sheet averaging ~8000 feet in thickness...)!

I hope, you find, interesting, this collection of pictures from this unique trip along with those of this (very) nice plane/SIM...! It was good fun...!

Thanks for your interest...! And, of course, all the best for the next week's big event...!!

[QW(787)/AS(Antarctica)/REX]

Great read and  pictorial, coincidentally, my Wife pointed this very trip out to me in today's newspaper (Sat  15th Aus time) albeit from Sydney-Sydney. We did seriously consider it as a once in a life time trip, but the cost, although reasonable, was out of my budget, particular when we are out of pocket several thousand dollars for prepaid flights on Virgin Australia, which has since gone into voluntary liquidation before our departure date. ( no doubt more airlines worldwide will follow given the current market) Perhaps, in your next trip South in the 787, you might consider the Qantas 100 year special livery to celebrate their centenary.

Steve

Edited August 15, 20205 yr by JustanotherPilot

I know the Dreamliner has undergone cold weather testing (Iqaluit, Canada), but I hope it survived OK in actually setting down in the Antarctic..

18 hours ago, JustanotherPilot said:

Great read and  pictorial, coincidentally, my Wife pointed this very trip out to me in today's newspaper (Sat  15th Aus time) albeit from Sydney-Sydney. We did seriously consider it as a once in a life time trip, but the cost, although reasonable, was out of my budget, particular when we are out of pocket several thousand dollars for prepaid flights on Virgin Australia, which has since gone into voluntary liquidation before our departure date. ( no doubt more airlines worldwide will follow given the current market) Perhaps, in your next trip South in the 787, you might consider the Qantas 100 year special livery to celebrate their centenary.

Steve

Steve:

Thanks for the comments...!!

Understood...! Tough decision...!

Yes...Qantas will complete the (magical) 100 years just about 3 months from today's date...on November 16th, 2020! A most remarkable milestone, indeed...!!

BTW, I see that the 1st Antarctica flight (Melbourne) is scheduled on November 15th (day before Centenary date). Melbourne has another flight on New Year's Eve. Sydney (also) has 2 flights, and Perth (subject of my fictitious flight, here,...🙂...) is scheduled for Australia Day, 26 Jan, 2021.

And, yes, I would surely love to fly, in the SIM, either a (bygone) 747 or an (emerging) 787 in the special (Qantas) Centenary livery, if I can get hold of one...🙂...

 

49 minutes ago, HighBypass said:

I know the Dreamliner has undergone cold weather testing (Iqaluit, Canada), but I hope it survived OK in actually setting down in the Antarctic..

Mark:

I certainly hoped so, too...🙂...At least I didn't feel a draft of cold...(A bit more seriously, the most concerning thing, here, was to stay clear of the (dangerous and deceptive) Mt. Erebus)...!

BTW, there is a fascinating account/incident-report of the RNZAF B757 (that I've mentioned in my post above) landing on McMurdo's (Pegasus Field (NZPG) not NZIR) Ice Runway (Oct. 7, 2013). The pilots, under the most difficult (below minima) conditions, landed successfully in 3 attempts:

"...With insufficient fuel on board to return to Christchurch, the crew was committed to continuing to Pegasus Field. There was no other safe alternative aerodrome in Antarctica where the aircraft could land. The crew made two attempts to land at Pegasus Field but the restricted visibility prevented them gaining the required visual reference with the runway markings and lights. After the first attempt the crew decided to hold to see if the weather would start to clear. After holding for nearly two hours with no improvement in the conditions, the crew decided to make a second approach using a lower “minimum descent altitude” than the published minima in an attempt to increase the chance of becoming visual with the runway. A member of the flight crew caught a glimpse of runway markings just as the approach was aborted and a missed approach procedure was initiated.

With dwindling fuel reserves and conditions deteriorating the crew elected to make a third attempt at landing. They again used the lower “minimum descent altitude”. When the aircraft reached about 110 feet above the runway , the crew saw the runway approach lights and markings and was able to make a successful landing in near-whiteout conditions. There was no damage to the aircraft and no-one was injured..."

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission could not fault the crew under these extraordinary circumstances, although they made several recommendations.

The full report (worth reading) can be found by looking for:
"NZ Air Force Boeing 757 makes below minimum landing at Antarctica base"

It goes without saying, safety, must be of foremost consideration, under these "out-of-the-world" conditions...!!

Thanks for the comment...!

Very interesting info and pics, P_7878. I never knew that those flights exist