Air Unit team

Our ambition

Is to operate and manage an integrated fleet of aircraft for research, survey and polar logistics.

We aim to execute a challenging programme of airborne science and logistics and to provide a worldwide capability that gives the environmental science community access to a range of aircraft platforms and instrumentation. The fleet comprises the five specially adapted aircraft (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 the Antarctic take place during the Antarctic summer, usually between October and March, as winter darkness and very cold temperatures prevent flying at other times.

The hangar at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica.
The hangar at Rothera Research Station, Antarctica.

Team priorities

  • To undertake a wide variety of transport and science missions using a fleet of aircraft equipped with modifications to allow them to undertake airborne science surveys
  • Transport science and support teams to Antarctica by facilitating regular shuttle-flights from Rothera to and from the Falkland Islands and Punta Arenas, Chile during the austral summer
  • Ensure that all aircraft are maintained to the highest standard of safety and comply with relevant airworthiness regulators’ requirements
  • Support deep-field research operated from Rothera and Halley research stations and from field stations at Fossil Bluff and Sky-Blu.

Technology, innovation and training

  • We stay abreast of 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
  • We work with NERC-funded research teams to develop airborne survey equipment and other science fit outs
  • We engage with aviation authorities.

BAS Air Unit group picture

Air Unit Group picture 2025
BAS aviation operations, management and support personnel – June 2025

 

 

sterd

Stephen Ward

daland

David Landy

Line Pilot

vja

Victoria Auld

Line Pilot

maom

Mark Thomas

Head of Airworthiness and Aircraft Engineering

olismith

Oliver Smith

Chief Pilot

danbee

Daniel Beeden

Air Unit Operations Coordinator

diasi

Di Lisi

Air Unit Operational & Administrative Support

danbad

Daniel Badcock

Airworthiness and Aircraft Engineering Manager

susdun

Sue Dunn

Station Support Administrator

ahow-2

Alan Howland

Senior Captain

stemith

Stephen Smith

Air Operations Project Coordinator

A plane sitting on top of a body of water

Take off marks launch of Ticket to Antarctica

6 October, 2025

The fleet of British Antarctic Survey aircraft have taken off on their annual ‘ferry flights’ from Canada, in preparation for a new season of science in Antarctica. The BAS fleet …

A plane sitting on top of a snow covered mountain

Pilotless plane test crew arrives in Antarctica

3 February, 2024

A team have arrived at Rothera Research Station, ready to start testing the new Windracers ULTRA autonomous drone in Antarctica. If successful, the new drone platform could represent a major …

A person flying through the air on a snow covered slope.

Flying campaign to improve climate modelling begins

3 February, 2023

A team of scientists are currently conducting a major experiment over the Southern Ocean that will help to improve climate modelling. The Southern Ocean Clouds project team are performing several …

A view of a body of water.

Scientists to study methane emissions in North Sea

23 April, 2019

Scientists embark on a three-week flying campaign today (23 April) to study methane emissions from gas fields in the southern North Sea. Using specialised scientific equipment, on board one of …

A plane flying over a body of water.

British Antarctic Survey seeks small passenger aircraft for Antarctica

18 December, 2018

British Antarctic Survey is seeking to purchase a small passenger aircraft to work alongside its de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Series 110 (Dash 7). The aircraft will transport science and support teams and cargo between Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula and Punta Arenas, Chile.

A plane flying in the air.

Air unit awarded prestigious aviation award

11 August, 2017

The British Antarctic Survey Air Unit have been awarded the Johnston Memorial Trophy for 2017 by The Honourable Company of Air Pilots. This is a considerable acknowledgement of the regard held …

Twin otter landing on the Dyer Plateau

PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious science

23 November, 2015

New season tackles ambitious science and logistical challenges The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) 2015/16 field season is underway with dozens of scientists and support staff – together with planes and tonnes …

A small plane sitting on top of a body of water.

PRESS RELEASE: Aircraft achieve high standard

8 December, 2009

British Antarctic Survey achieves registration for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has achieved registration for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). Following …

A ship on the water

A rendezvous in the middle of nowhere

17 April, 2025 by Jamie Oliver

Antarctica, January 2025. Three expert teams are making their way across the stark frozen landscape, by sea, land and air – and they are planning to meet. Jamie Oliver shares …

The THINICE field campaign: Interactions between Arctic cyclones, tropopause polar vortices, clouds and sea ice in summer

1 December, 2024 by Alexandra Weiss, Daniel Beeden, Thomas Lachlan-Cope

The THINICE field campaign, based from Svalbard in August 2022, provided unique observations of summertime Arctic cyclones, their coupling with cloud cover, and interactions with tropopause polar vortices and sea…

Read more on The THINICE field campaign: Interactions between Arctic cyclones, tropopause polar vortices, clouds and sea ice in summer