Sky Blu
Encyclopedia
Sky Blu is a forward operating station for the British Antarctic Survey
(BAS) in southern Palmer Land
, Antarctica. It is in an area of Blue Ice
(extremely hard and dense ice which has lost the air bubbles that normally cloud the ice). It provides a runway able to accommodate wheeled aircraft that are larger than can be handled by other types of runways in the area.
The facility is used to store fuel drums and field equipment for onward transport by the Twin Otter aircraft. The camp is staffed by a minimum of 2, but usually 3 people, including a mechanic. Staff eat and sleep in a Melon hut, but there is also a garage and other tents.
Sky Blu became fully operational in the 1997-98 field season, and has had an increase in use by BAS ever since. The old field camp at Ski Hi Nunatacks was abandoned soon after, with the weather station finally being removed in November 2004.
The runway is marked by flags and large colourful bin bags to improve contrast for approaching planes.
British Antarctic Survey
The British Antarctic Survey is the United Kingdom's national Antarctic operation and has an active role in Antarctic affairs. BAS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council and has over 400 staff. It operates five research stations, two ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica....
(BAS) in southern Palmer Land
Palmer Land
Palmer Land is that portion of the Antarctic Peninsula which lies south of a line joining Cape Jeremy and Cape Agassiz. This application of Palmer Land is consistent with the 1964 agreement between US-ACAN and UK-APC, in which the name Antarctic Peninsula was approved for the major peninsula of...
, Antarctica. It is in an area of Blue Ice
Blue ice (glacial)
Blue ice occurs when snow falls on a glacier, is compressed, and becomes part of a glacier that winds its way toward a body of water . During its travels, air bubbles that are trapped in the ice are squeezed out, and the size of the ice crystals increases, making it clear...
(extremely hard and dense ice which has lost the air bubbles that normally cloud the ice). It provides a runway able to accommodate wheeled aircraft that are larger than can be handled by other types of runways in the area.
The facility is used to store fuel drums and field equipment for onward transport by the Twin Otter aircraft. The camp is staffed by a minimum of 2, but usually 3 people, including a mechanic. Staff eat and sleep in a Melon hut, but there is also a garage and other tents.
History
It was first located by BAS in 1993-94 and rapidly became an essential tool in BAS's ability to operate further south. This is mainly because the Blue Ice runway is able to accommodate wheeled aircraft. BAS can therefore fly its Dash-7 4-engined plane from Rothera directly to Sky Blu. The Dash has a much higher load carrying capability than the Twin Otters used by BAS previously.Sky Blu became fully operational in the 1997-98 field season, and has had an increase in use by BAS ever since. The old field camp at Ski Hi Nunatacks was abandoned soon after, with the weather station finally being removed in November 2004.
Description
The blue ice runway is groomed by the camp staff using commercial lightweight snow ploughs and blowers (which could be shipped in by Dash 7 aircraft). When the wind is favourable, and the conditions good, a runway 1.2 km in length and 50 m wide is possible. However, operations are often hampered by much lighter winds causing knee high snow drifts which reduce contrast.The runway is marked by flags and large colourful bin bags to improve contrast for approaching planes.