Wilkins Runway
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The Wilkins Runway ( German: Wilkins runway ), also called Wilkins Ice Runway and Wilkins Aerodrome, is a take-off and landing strip on the lower Peterson - glaciers (AAD ) is operated by the Australian Antarctic Division. The 4 km long and 100 meters wide runway at the Budd Coast in Wilkes Land on the Antarctic continent is served by a jet aircraft Airbus A319 from Hobart International Airport about 4,000 kilometers away in Tasmania.
The runway was made of ice and snow and is located on the Australian Antarctic Territory, located about 70 kilometers from the Casey station.
The name of the runway goes back to the aviation pioneer and explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins.
Construction
Since the 1950s, there were considerations for a runway, but for political, logistical and environmental objections, a decision was made only in 2004.
The 4,000 meter long runway was made of 70 % ice and 30 % snow to a thickness of one meter and rests on an approximately 700 meters ( 2,300 ft) thick glacier of blue ice. Runway coating was prepared according to the concept of a Canadian specialists. This snow was because of its property of reflecting the sunlight, and the blue glacial ice used for its heat absorption. The mixture of the two surface components also allows to compensate for unevenness.
The glacier moves and flows per year, about 12 meters ( 40 ft). Work was possible only in the period from November to February each year. In the field minimum temperatures of -36 ° C occur and the average temperature is about -23 ° C, as wind speed can be achieved up to 185 km / h ( 115 mph ). During the construction work the required strength and durability of the coating was measured using a Prüfrollers continuously tested and manufactured using laser equipment plan.
In the years 2006/2007, numerous tests were carried out for checking the hardness and strength of the sheet covering.
In addition to the runway exclusively containers were set up and stay of transit passengers residential containers. Furthermore, runway markings, a navigational and meteorological station, shelters for aircraft, a medical emergency room, shops, warehouses, storage facilities for vehicles and fueling facilities were built.
The landing railway construction took three Antarctic summer to complete.
The construction of the runway cost AUD 46.3 million, which were funded by the Australian Federal Government and the AAD.
Running Operation
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority ( CASA ) enabled the airline Skytraders the first flight on 11 January 2008. Aboard the Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett, twelve scientists and six other passengers were.
The flights to Antarctica start on the Hobart International Airport in Tasmania. The four and a half hour flight saves a boat trip that would take about ten days. The runway is operated exclusively in the Antarctic summer from October to March. It held about 30 flights exclusively for scientists and employees of the AAD at this time; Tourists are not transported.
Innerarktisch connect two propeller-driven aircraft of the Spanish CASA C -212 type helicopter and three Australian research stations in Antarctica, in addition to the Casey station, the Mawson Station and Davis Station.
The twin-engine Airbus used has a range of 12,000 km ( 7.500 miles ); as round-trip flights on a single tank are possible. It can be transported from 6.5 tonnes up to 40 people and freight.
The costs associated with the operations of jet aircraft wheel tracks are leveled by snow plows and snow groomers. The runway must be compacted after each flight five times in a 24- hour interval with heavy equipment. Flights will therefore only once a week. The return flight takes place two to three hours after landing.
Snowplows and bulldozers are in the ongoing operation of the runway stationed rid the runway of fallen snow, as well as tractors which can pull with " rubber chains " the aircraft.