MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: Stanley airport again winter home for BAS aircraft

The Dash-7 will be initially based in Stanley airport for the winter and will provide support to BAS personnel wintering on Antarctic bases.

Aeroplane spotters in the Falklands will once again have the opportunity to temporarily witness the once familiar sight of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Twin Otter sitting on the Stanley Airport tarmac.

The aircraft was set to return to Stanley on Thursday this week. It is understood the aircraft will be initially based in Stanley airport for the winter and will provide support to BAS personnel wintering on Antarctic bases.

At the controls of the of the aircraft will be local pilot and FIGAS veteran Captain Drew Robertson.

The move is part of BAS logistics and support planning in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. A BAS spokesperson said, “earlier this month BAS, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic announced exceptional plans to repatriate scientists, support teams and construction workers as they complete their Antarctic summer field season work.

BAS is currently reviewing its operational plans for winter and next season.”

BAS aircraft, which comprise the De Havilland Twin Otter (DHC-6) and Dash-7 (DHC-7), were a familiar sight in Stanley Airport prior to 2008, when BAS flying operations were moved to Punta Arenas airport. (Penguin News)