The use of turbine helicopters in United States Antarctic operations, 1961–66

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Authors: Rutford, Robert H., Smith, Philip M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1966
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Antarctic; Ellsworth Mountains; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Record
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247400057272; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247400057272

Advance in science in Antarctica has been paralleled, and in many cases made possible, by the development of logistic support facilities. As early as 1959 the use of turbine-powered helicopters had been suggested for a United States programme in the Ellsworth Mountains, where the altitude and cold weather made the use of conventional piston-powered helicopters impractical. Turbine-powered helicopters were not available from the US Navy, and the use of civilian machines was turned down at the time. However, an investigation of machines suitable for polar work was conducted by the US Naval Support Force, Antarctica, and the development of the LC-130 air delivery system necessary to support helicopters in the continental interior of Antarctica continued.