These Antarctic Approach plates are used by the 109th Airlift Wing while conducting operations on the Antactic Continent. They should be useful to anyone constructing scenery or adventures in that region.

The plates cover McMurdo (NZCM), Paulus Skiway (South Pole), and Byrd Surface Camp. (Positions and elevations are accurate as of 1995)

Low visibility approaches are made using ARA (Arborn Radar Approach). The crew navigator briefs the aircrew prior to the approach and guides the aircraft in a manner similar to a GCA approach.

Whiteout areas are used for landings when whiteout conditions exist.
A whiteout is an atmospheric condition which can be compared to flying inside a ping-pong ball. Everthing in all directions appears pure white! The aircraft will navigate to the whiteout area and set up a minimum rate of descent until snow contact is made. Power is then reduced and props are reversed to slow the aircraft.

An observer stationed at a cockpit window must look straight down to observe the snow surface and insure the aircraft does not completely stop and maintains foward motion. If the aircraft should stop immediately after landing the warm skiis will melt the surface snow
and then refreeze to weld the aircraft to the surface.

After landing, the aircraft will taxi to the strip using on-board navigation and radar.

Please note that navigation is by grid chart at extreme southern or northern latitudes (See example; Min Alt Chart antar_03.gif). Magnetic Compass headings cannot be used as every direction is north when at the South Pole.

It is recommended that you import these charts into a word processor and then expand the chart to a larger size for better viewing or printing.