Stas Skripnikov contributed the below story.
While I am a Volga-Dnepr Airlines customer service specialist, I also work part-time as a flight attendant/flight manager on a unique flight to Antarctica aboard one of our IL-76TD-90VD freighters.
This was something I never imagined happening to me, but VDA Management offered me the opportunity to be a part in the Antarctic mission. Volga-Dnepr Airlines has proven itself to be a reliable air cargo carrier.
This was the beginning of my adventure. This is how I started my adventure. My fourth Antarctic season will begin in October 2021.
It is an amazing job. I get to travel the Seventh Continent with a lot of scientists and researchers.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines transports more than 300 tonnes of cargo every season (provisions and supplies, special vehicles, fuel etc.). Along with cargo attendants to Antarctic stations. I am proud to have been a part these operations and contribute to the scientific research and discoveries made by scientists around the globe.
The Antarctic program begins in October and ends at the end of February next. This is the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. The average ambient temperature is between -5C and -10C. These climate characteristics allow us to land safely and take off safely.
The IL-76TD90VD ramp aircraft is capable of operating at unprepared aerodromes that have unpaved or ice runways. An onboard crane system with a lifting capacity up to 12 tonnes is included in the aircraft. This can reduce ground time.
This unique feature can be very important, especially when the weather in Antarctica changes rapidly. Also, we must return to Cape Town, South Africa, the base airport, right after our arrival.
It takes four-and-a-half to six hours to fly from Cape Town, SAR, to Novolazarevskaya station, Antarctica. This is largely dependent on wind direction. It is a blue-ice runway.
It is important to remember that Antarctica flights are only possible in ideal weather conditions. We usually wait for clear visibility, and the wind direction is appropriate before we can perform a flight. This means that all parties need to work hard to plan a monthly schedule.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines was assigned to operate charter flights in the DROMLAN international Antarctic project. This was in collaboration with Antarctic Logistics Centre International (ALCI).
The IL-76 crew consists of two pilots, flight engineer, navigator, and tech crew (loadmaster and senior aircraft engineer, as well as two A&E technicians and one flight manager, i.e. me
Preparing for an Antarctic mission requires special maintenance and set-up. It can take anywhere from one to two weeks. To ensure safe landing on the Antarctic runway, engines thrust reversers must be switched to another mode. An additional GPU, along with other items like a fly-away kit and a spare fly-away kit, is also required onboard.
It is worth noting that our IL-76TD-90VD can also perform paradrop missions. Para-dropping fuel tanks attached to a special parachutist system is possible in difficult-to-reach areas and aerodromes en route to the South Pole.
All Antarctic operations are subject to special control at Volga Dnepr Airlines Fly Operations Control Center, Ulyanovsk (Russia). They are supported by various divisions and departments, including Customer Service, Operations and Ground Handling.
Stas Skripnikov contributed this story.
