Yesterday our group spent the day returning supplies, backing up data, and packing. Meanwhile, Paul Mahacek is back from Happy Camper school and is finishing up his training. Dustin Carroll is also finishing his training and the two of them have been busy with Bob and David getting ready for SCINI's next project, ANDRILL.
Bob, Paul, David, and Dustin - SCINI continues with the guys and the ANDRILL project.
Later today,depending on weather, the first part of our group will board their plane and head back to Christchurch. Since they'll be flying, I thought it would be appropriate to post another WATER DROP story about the Air Traffic Control that makes sure the planes leave safely. Unfortunately the ice is being closed a bit early and Ice Town, our airport on the sea ice in front of McMurdo, is currently being moved out to the permanent ice. Thus their bus ride to the runway is a bit longer and this story needs to be read with the thought in mind that Bob will now be operating from the white ice runway instead of the sea ice runway.
Nevertheless enjoy and see you tomorrow morning for our webinar!
ICE AGED - Our complete team!
Hello Cooper, Joseph, and Jayden!
My name is Bob Burkart and I am working in Antarctica as an Air Traffic controller during the summer here. I live in Windsor, California and my wife, Lori and I also home school our kids, Mallory, 9 and Max, 7. Mallory and Max love their homeschooling!
Bob with the Cooper, Joseph, and Jayden's WATER DROP at his work in the air traffic control tower. What is different about working with planes in Antarctica?
This is my first time here and I am learning many new things here...like scanning the Ice Runway for seals and penguins before allowing a plane to take off or land.
The picture out the window has a seal on the snow by the runway. I walked up to him and took the close up. He was not concerned at all and just looked at me and went back to sleep!
The airport and runway are out on the frozen ocean out about a mile from land. The ice is about 8 feet thick here and heavy cargo planes like the C130 can land right on the ice! I work in a temporary tower that is towed onto the ice on big skis.
The WATER DROP in front of Bob's map of the flights. Where do the planes go?
The airplanes that fly in and out of here bring people and supplies to remote outposts/camps including the South Pole which is about 800 miles South of here. Most of these planes are equipped with skis and can land on snow. The bigger planes like the C17 fly between here and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Cooper, Joseph, and Jayden - the makers of the WATER DROP with their lego ski-doo, SCINI, and hut. Thanks for being so creative!
I really enjoyed the Water Drop you made. Especially since Mallory and Max both are a little Lego crazy! I am having a lot of fun down here but I do miss my family and home.
Have a great school year....Bob
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