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Helicopters
Everything you've ever wanted to know about helos in the Antarctic
Two types of helicopters that are flown in Antarctica are the Sikorsky S76A and the Aerospatiale AS35OB/BA/B2 or the Squirrel as it is affectionately known. These helicopters are used for long and short range operations and both are almost always based at Davis during the summer.
The Squirrels are often used to resupply the stations from the ship to the shore. This involves the voyage leader, station leader and pilots working closely together to come up with a helicopter schedule. Most of the schedule is drawn up to comply with station logistics and requirements and strict environmental guidelines.
Helicopters are also used for biological observation flights to determine animal populations and other sorts of aerial survey such as ice reconaissance. Very stringent rules are in place so that aircraft do not disturb birds or seals. You need a permit to use a helicopter so as to disturb wildlife in the name of scientific research.
Helicopters are able to operate in the summer months along coastal areas from Casey to Davis, the Prince Charles Mountains, Amery Ice Shelf, Bunger Hills and various field sites 180km west of Mawson station.