Kenn Borek Air's Crew Did the Job, Again

Back in April of 2001, Dr. Ronald Shemenski was in deep trouble at an Antarctic research base, hanging on in dread of the winter that was about to envelop him, and doom him. A Kenn Borek Twin Otter made it in, and got him out; and he's OK today.

This time, the trip came at the end of the southern winter. Another researcher was stranded at the Amundsen-Scott center. [He's an American, with a gastric problem, and wants to remain anonymous --ed.] Weather was awful, and rapidly-changing. Sean Loutitt and Brian Crocker, along with engineer Kevin Riehl, had to wait a week at the relatively balmy Rothera Antarctic base. The flight from there to Amundson-Scott took nine hours. They got out on Sunday, landing in Chile, after the 6-hour flight from Rothera.

The Canadian crew said it's more or less 'routine.' Crockett said, "It's no different than any other time going in. Just be careful and do things the way they're supposed to be done."

Mr. Loutitt said this flight was easier than the Shemanski rescue: there was 'better' weather, and a few minutes' more light.

Amundson and Scott were rival polar explorers in the early 20th Century. Scott died on one of his quests; the better-prepared Amundson was the first to conquer both poles.

FMI: www.borekair.com