First Airbus A330 Landing in Antarctica with Hi Fly

Mission Antarctica: A Historic A330 Landing

• 🚀 The video documents the first-ever landing of an Airbus A330 in Antarctica, operated by Hi Fly.
• ✈️ This flight is part of "Mission Antarctica P1" and involved ferrying the A330 from Lisbon.

Flight Operations and Preparations

• 🗺️ The flight path from Cape Town involved monitoring position relative to alternates like Volfang and Bet Islands.
• ❄️ Fuel temperature was closely monitored due to the lack of refueling in Antarctica, with a focus on preventing fuel from nearing its freezing point.
• 🌡️ The ambient temperature in Antarctica was around -6°C, expected to drop to -10°C with katabatic winds, creating a significant wind chill factor.

Landing Approach and Conditions

• ☁️ The approach required visual conditions, with reports of few clouds and light winds.
• 💨 While winds are desired for braking, excessive crosswinds (up to 40-50 degrees and 25 knots) can be challenging on the runway.
• 📏 The landing was planned for runway 17, which is 3,000 meters long, with an expected 180-degree turn at the 2,000-meter pad using auto brake medium and full reverse.

Aircraft Performance and Post-Landing

• 🧮 Several pre-flight calculations were confirmed during the flight to ensure the aircraft performed as expected.
• ⏱️ The flight duration was approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to Antarctica and 5 hours on the return, with a 2.5-hour stay.
• ✅ Despite the light wind conditions not being ideal, the landing performance was satisfactory.
• ⚠️ Pilots were advised to be cautious during turns due to potential wind effects and to park with ample space for a sharp exit.
• 🧊 The video highlights the unique environment of Antarctica, noting the presence of ice and the need for careful maneuvering.