The Russian Connection

Neil Harrison

The use of the Mil Mi-8 helicopter and icebreakers to re-supply the Russian bases on East Antarctica

Each year the Arctic and Antarctic Institute in St Petersburg conduct a re-supply voyage from Russia to their stations in Antarctica. The return journey, aboard the Icebreaker/ Expedition Vessel Akademik Fedorov, is generally of several months duration. The Mi-8 helicopter is extensively used for ice reconnaissance and cargo transport, and is a vital link in provisioning the bases and changing crews who have 'over wintered,' spending a year working on the polar ice stations.

In recent years the St Petersburg Aviation Repair Company 'SPARC' has been given the task of supplying a pair of Mi-8 helicopters along with a crew of four pilots, two flight engineers, three mechanics, and a base operator. It has earned a solid reputation for its experience in polar flying. The Mils are flown with two pilots and a flight engineer at all times.

The 2001 voyage, the 46th Russian Antarctic Expedition, was to East Antarctica, the quadrant of the continent literally due south of South Africa and extending around the coast beyond 90 degrees east, virtually below Australia. The stations of Novolazarevskaya, Molodezhnaya, Progress, and Mirny (the current capital of Russian Antarctic operations) were re-supplied throughout an eight week period.

The...