AFA is the premiere helicopter team, specialist, and operator for the Antarctic Continent, with a perfect safety record and years of experience on multiple bases, vessels, missions, and research to rescue, blizzards to blue skies.
- Research support
- Shore disembarking and transfers, shorex transport
- Personnel and Tourist Transport
- Lowering by Line and stabilizing cargo winch
- Surveying and Aerial Photography
- Sampling and Study
- Deployment of research teams
- Search and Rescue
- Scouting loops and resupply runs
AFA’s team brings mechanics with us and provides turnkey aerial solutions for the most difficult continent, and the most difficult missions. Low Price and Safety Guaranteed.
AFA can provide 2 helicopters of 2 different options for model types for Antarctic campaigns. We have experience with these operations and a satisfaction, low price, and safety guarantee. Furthermore, this is what we do best!
- Is it really feasible at all? YES
FLEET OPTION 1:
We can provide twin engine 5 passengers + 1 pilot helicopters, beautiful AS355F2 x 2
- Where would be a pickup point for the choppers? Ushuaia or Beagle channel
- And what rates do you usually charge? It depends on numbers of hours and distribution. Think about 1.5/2 hours per day from $2,999 and USD $3,349 per extra hour, Incl. mechanic
- What is your capability as to flying in that area? (Antarctic Peninsula) depends on weather, geography, etc.. normally it is a 100 nm endurance with safety range. Only consideration besides that, which is a non issue, is following the Madrid Protocol for the protection of the environment
FLEET OPTION 2:
We can provide classic R44’s (3 passengers + 1 pilot) that would utilize the onboard hangar
- Where would be a pickup point for the choppers? Ushuaia or Beagle channel
- And what rates do you usually charge? These may be open for unlimited use up to a cap, for $11,000-14,000 per day
- What is your capability as to flying in that area? Generally same as the above, with approximately same or shorter range.
Please specify which of the above you will select, and at your earliest convenience, feel free to pass along to us specifications on the vessels, their helipads and facilities, and the voyage south. The helis are in high demand in summer and paperwork and booking should commence as far in advance as possible.
First please consider that the feasibility to operate helicopters onboard a ship will depend on technical aspects that need to be reviewed by our operational department. Also, crossing the Drake Passage with helicopters on the deck sometimes requires a hangar. The bigger helicopters use 200 liters per hour per helicopter.