User manual

Antarctica Vol. 1 - British Rothera and Beyond
Aerosoft GmbH 2021
18 19
English
Antarctic Communications
…written by D. Hardie, mainly focusing on Communications around
the Peninsula bases, which should be similar all over Antarctica. Please
note that this chapter should be seen as guideline for online pilots
because MSFS is not be able to offer you an “ATC” like that:
General
Some information on the way communications work in the Antarctic
may prove to be of some interest generally, as well as specifically to
the users of this addon.
„Comms.“ are perhaps the most important aspect of living and
working in Antarctica, whether they be on an individual level or at an
international base to base level.
These are achieved by a variety of means. Those mentioned here are
by no means exhaustive and several other specific technologies are
available.
Interpersonal communications is achieved on base by using a series of
handheld VHF radios between key personnel. These are also used for
field scientific parties who may be spread a distance apart by a few
hundred yards, when travelling by skiddoo.
The uniquely ultra-cold environment coupled with exposure to
sunspot activity due to the closer distance to sun radiation can cause
a lot of static interference with radios. In such cases, the VHF and HF
radios may be affected as to be unusable. Satellite Iridium phones
may sometimes be used, but they too can be affected by solar storms
and are much more expensive to operate.
Aviation Comms in Antarctica
The aircraft operating in the Antarctic are typically fitted with two
VHF radios and two HF radios, as well as an individual satellite phone
in the cockpit which can be removed if required.
During operations close to base - within about 50-80 miles - the VHF
radios are used, much the same as in any normal air traffic control
situation at any airport in the world.
All radios are tested on the ground before flight and after the engines
started, so that any problems are recognised and steps can be taken
to correct any faults. Once the aircraft is airborne, the change to HF
radios occurs and position checks are transmitted every 30 minutes
flying time.
Details given are current position, altitude, next waypoint position,
estimated time of arrival, and then the next waypoint after that. This
follows a set format and is adhered to, so any other pilot flying in the
vicinity will know that another aircraft is en-route and its approximate
current location.
As times between transmissions may be as much as 30 minutes, there
may be long silences on the radio, so any other aircraft getting into
the air is given an update on any other aircraft activity by the „Flight
Follower“.
The Flight Follower is a communications expert at Rothera whose job
it is to listen in to all aircraft transmissions and plot them on a large
board in the Operations Tower, showing the Antarctic region. He can
then relay messages from other aircrafts, provides updated in-flight
weather reports, as well as logistical information to the pilots.
The Flight Follower provides an Air-Ground Radio Information service
which effectively provides all information that could be of help to air
operations as well as boating operations around Rothera.
carried out on the wheels with „skis-up“. The Borek aircraft change
onto Board skis shortly after arrival in Antarctica, offering a more
Once airborne a pilot must state
„Airborne“, and similarly when
landing deep field must make a
statement of intention to land with
the ski status (usually skis down),
along with the position. The
exception to this is at Sky Blu,
where the blue ice runway is so
hard that landings are usually