Last of summer crew boarding the final flight out
Yesterday was the last flight carrying passengers out of South Pole Station. The next flight out wont be until October or November (depending on the weather). LC-130s stop flying to the South Pole during the winter because their hydraulics are only rated to -50F. While Twin Otters can make the flight, it is highly risky and only done in the case of an extreme medical emergency.
So for the next 8.5 to 9 months, it is just the 41 people in the winter crew at the station. The last flight in unloaded some "freshies" (apples and other fruit) for us before flying out.
Per South Pole tradition, we watched three versions of The Thing on the projector in the gym.
Who are the 41 people who stay for the winter? Only a small portion (~7) work on the science instruments, the rest are for station support and maintenance. We have three galley workers, a doctor and a nurse, and several each of satellite engineers, IT, utility technicians, materials workers, mechanics, a machinist, a plumber, and various other positions.
Who are the 41 people who stay for the winter? Only a small portion (~7) work on the science instruments, the rest are for station support and maintenance. We have three galley workers, a doctor and a nurse, and several each of satellite engineers, IT, utility technicians, materials workers, mechanics, a machinist, a plumber, and various other positions.
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