Been a small flame and here is some fuel for a big flame.

A lot of people posting need to research the Treaties, rules and
regulations for any type operations in Antarctica. Also if one reads
old and current history there are multitudes of stories about the Wx
changes within 10-15 minutes with very high winds coming up and zero
visibility lasting for days. Wx forecasting down there is more of an
art than a science. With any sense you don't fly into that area
without lots of backup and alternate options. Particularly in a GA
bird.


He may well have gotten one of their conditional (warranty good until
you walk out the door) Wx checks and the wind came up and he was in
deep S***. The wind problem down there is well known and not making
options for it is ...............................(Responsible pilots
add your own words)

Not making alternate options I (and many) feel he just plain screwed
up and his notoriety in the Amateur built world (and Talking Heads
on TV) not withstanding, he has a hell of a problem that I doubt 'poor
boying' to the TV audience will work out for him.

So, go read the rules and history and then come back and argue with
the facts.

Why didn't he have the NZ government use there operations and contacts
down there to run interference for him and set up alternate emergency
landing authority and access to a limited amount of fuel? Might have
taken several years but those things are doable and are the
RESPONSIBLE thing to do.

Tough titty kitty (as they say).

Big John

Go ahead and fan the flame, (the 90 gallons are on the fire). I doubt
if I will add any more facts and figures to the thread but sit back
and keep my cold feet and hands warm.

Also:

AU supports us in Iraq. In the joy of SH , and AU in the 'Coalition'
someone may feel helping the poor crying ******* would be another
brownie point for the US??? Who knows. If they were on our side, now
is the time to strike for help.

I would expect a NOTAM to be put out that any fuel provided from their
limited stocks to be billed at $5000 a US gallon cash in advance (like
they do at the Panama Canal (No cash, no transit).

If he is going to write a book then get an advance $100K and have
someone fly a bird in with two drums of fuel and get on his way. He
needs to grab his socks and pull up and quit crying.

Have at it troops.

Big John



John Ammeter wrote:

Jon Johanson, known for his round the world flights in his
RV-4 as well as flights to Oshkosh may have some trouble
getting out of Antartica....

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../adventurer_dc