Polar aircraft Polar5 and Polar6 operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute

Abstract

Due to the remoteness and difficulty to access the snow covered polar regions, ski-equipped aircraft are an indispensable tool for polar research. The Alfred Wegener Institute has a long tradition in airborne polar science – starting with the aircraft Polar1 and Polar2 in 1983. In 2007 the first Basler BT-67 (Polar5) and in 2011 the second Basler BT-67 (Polar6) were brought into service and replaced Polar2 and Polar4. They carry a variety of scientific equipment for investigation of the lithosphere, atmosphere and cryosphere and all their interactions. Beside being deployed for science missions, the aircraft are also part of the Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN), a logistical partnership to transport equipment and personnel to various stations in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica.