Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Eurocopter AS 350 B3 ZK-IBR returns to "The Ice".

 Southern Lakes Helicopters Ltd's Eurocopter AS 350 B3 ZK-IBR c/n 4899 has headed south for another season in Antarctica. This helicopter is no stranger to the cooler climes having done at least five seasons (possibly more) down there.
Originally registered as ZK-IDF4 with Heli-Works Queenstown Helicopters Ltd on 23-07-2010 it quickly transferred over to Souther Lakes Helicopters Ltd from 02-11-2010 only to return to Heli-Works Queenstown Helicopters on 04-10-2011. 
They re-registered it as ZK-IBR on 19-06-2012 to free up the IDF4 registration for their new AS 350 B3 c/n 7421 which became ZK-IDF5.
ZK-IBR reverted back to being operated by Southern Lakes Helicopters from 01-11-2013.

ZK-IBR was flown from Te Anau to Christchurch International on October 16th - had its rotor blades removed and was stowed aboard the C17 Globemaster III (10-0218) - flown south - and was flying in the McMurdo, Scott Base area by the 19th.
Looking up the tail end of the Globemaster III.
Note the five abreast central seating up forward and the folded seats along the fuselage side.

Below
Not a lot of room to spare at the rotor head.

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