Air Unit team

Our Air Unit team operates and manages an integrated fleet of aircraft. These aircraft support research, survey, and polar logistics.

We aim to execute a challenging programme of airborne science and logistics. Our goal is to provide the environmental science community with access to a range of aircraft platforms and instrumentation. 

The fleet comprises five specially adapted aircraft. These are a De Havilland Canada Dash 7 and four Twin Otters.

At the beginning of each season, pilots and engineers ferry the aircraft south from their base 

in the northern hemisphere. Flights in Antarctica take place during the Antarctic summer, usually between October and March. Winter darkness and very cold temperatures prevent flying at other times.

Team priorities

The Air Unit team focuses on:

• Undertaking a wide variety of transport and science missions. The aircraft are equipped for airborne science surveys.
• Transporting science and support teams to Antarctica. We facilitate regular shuttle flights from Rothera to and from the Falkland Islands and Punta Arenas, Chile during the austral summer.
• Ensuring all aircraft are maintained to the highest standard of safety. All aircraft comply with relevant airworthiness regulators’ requirements.
• Supporting deep-field research. This includes operations from Rothera and Halley research stations and from field stations at Fossil Bluff and Sky-Blu.

Technology, innovation and training

We stay up to date with the latest technological developments in polar aviation.

Influencing and leading international programmes

We provide specialist advice and expertise to other polar programmes and operators.

Stakeholder engagement

We work with:

• other national operators of polar programmes, to share best practice
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-funded research teams to develop airborne survey equipment and other science fit-outs
• aviation authorities