by Max Barry

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Region: the South Pacific

Volaworand wrote:I'm all the way down at the Antarctic circle in plot 29. Let me check what sort of flight time we would be looking at.

The Southern Transportation Corporation (STC) is the government owned transportation service in Volaworand. We provide Air, Overland and Sea services, along with a robust meteorological department. We operate all public transportation infrastructure and report to the Minister of the Interior.

Air Service
STC services intercontinental air flights between Volaworand and the South Pacific. Dedicated flights can be arranged for large groups of passengers or cargo. Charter and Corporate Jet Services are available. All flights are weather dependent.

International Flights Schedule:

STC01: Rothera to Stanley, British Falkland Islands (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Weekly Saturdays, passenger/cargo flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly passenger/cargo flights occur April to October.
- Flight time of 3 1/2 hours

STC02: Rothera to Grytviken, S Georgia and S Sandwich Islands (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Weekly Sundays, passenger/cargo flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly passenger/cargo flights occur April to October.
- Flight time of 2 1/4 hours

STC03: Rothera to Stonebridge Simbacat International Airport, North prarie (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Biweekly Mondays, passenger flights run from November through March. Monthly cargo flight runs year round
- Flight Time of 12 1/2 hours

STC04: Rothera to Midandia International Airport, Midand (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Weekly Tuesdays, passenger flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly cargo flight runs year round.
- Flight time of 8 hours

STC05: Rothera to Half Tree Hollow, St Helena Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Islands (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Weekly Wednesdays, passenger/cargo flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly cargo flights run year round.
- Flight time of 7 hours

STC06: Rothera to Pinewoods Airport, Beepee (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Biweekly Thursdays, passenger flights run from November through March. Monthly cargo flight runs year round.
- Flight time of 7.5 hours

STC07: Rothera to Citaiti Dei Kerlodia International Airport, Kerlodia (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Biweekly Fridays, passenger flights run from November through March. Monthly cargo flight runs year round.
- Flight time of 19.5 hours (with a short layover in North prarie to refuel)

STC08: Rothera to Citaiti Dei Noctos International Airport, Kerlodia (Ilyushin IL-76TD):
- Alternate Fridays, flights run from November through March. Monthly cargo flight runs year round.
- Flight time of 19.5 hours (with a short layover in North prarie to refuel)

STC09: Rothera to Citaiti Dei Kerlodia International Airport, Kerlodia (Airbus A350-900ULR)
- Weekly Monday/Wednesday/Fridays, passenger flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly flights run year round.
- Flight time of 12 hours

STC10: Rothera to Citaiti Dei Noctos International Airport, Kerlodia (Airbus A350-900ULR):
- Weekly Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday, flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly flights run year round.
- Flight time of 12 hours

STC11: Rothera to Gyosei International Airport, Todo, Seohajushū colony, Hanguk-Nippon (Airbus A350-900ULR):
- Weekly Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday, flights run from November through March. Bi-weekly flights run year round.
- Flight time of 10 hours

STC12: Rothera to Gyosei International Airport, Todo, Seohajushū colony, Hanguk-Nippon (Airbus A350-900ULR):
- Weekly Saturdays, Tourist charter flight runs from November through March. Monthly flights run year round.
- Flight time of 10 hours

    A350-900ULR
    The A350 is the first Airbus aircraft with both fuselage and wing structures made primarily of carbon fibre reinforced polymer, reducing weight and improving overall fuel efficiency. STC purchased five A350-900ULR from Kerlodia in December 2018 allowing us to expand our operational range throuout the South Pacific and expanding our Charter and Corporate offerings. Two were converted to ACJ350 corporate jet, one for Corporate rental and the other being used for official government travel.

    The maximum takeoff weight of the Airbus ultra-long range A350-900ULR is 280 t (620,000 lb) and its fuel capacity is 165,000 l (44,000 US gal), enabling up to 19-hour flights with a 18,000 km (9,700 nmi) range. Because the A350-900's fuel consumption is 5.8 tonnes/hour, it needs an additional 24 tonnes of fuel to fly 19 hours instead of the standard 15 hours: our lower density premium seating configuration enables the larger fuel capacity.

    Flights aboard our A350-900ULR hold 170 passengers in largely business class seating and up to over 250 in mixed seating.

    ACJ350
    Our Airbus Corporate Jet version of the A350, the ACJ350, is converted from the A350-900ULR. As a result of the increased fuel capacity from the -900ULR, the ACJ350 has a maximum range of 20,000 km (10,800 nmi).

    Ilyushin IL-76TD
    The IL-76 was originally conceived for delivering heavy machinery to remote, poorly-serviced areas of the USSR. As such it needed to meet the requirements for a heavy-lift freighter with good speed and range, able to operate from short and unprepared airstrips, and capable of coping with the worst weather conditions likely to be experienced in Siberia and the Soviet Union’s Arctic regions.

    The IL-76 has seen extensive service as a commercial freighter, especially for oversized or heavy items unable to be otherwise carried. An onboard crane can self-load and offload items up to 10 tonne, without the need for specialized airport equipment. The IL-76 has been used as emergency response transport for civilian evacuations and to deliver humanitarian/disaster relief aid around the world, especially to undeveloped areas due to its ability to operate from unpaved runways. The IL-76TD has a greater range and load capacity than the original IL-76. The maximum take off weight is 190 t (418,878 lbs) and range is 4,400 km (2376 nmi).

    Flights aboard our Ilyushin IL-76TD hold 60 passengers or two shipping containers volume of cargo, with a total capacity of 17,500 kg.

    Domestic Flights
    Our Flights within Volaworand are by ski aircraft. We operate three de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters and a Basler BT-67 aircraft which operate flights from Rothera. We maintain pre-placed fuel caches to support ski aircraft operations throughout Volaworand and always have a minimum of three ski aircraft on the continent, to provide complete self-sufficiency for normal operations and for emergency response.

    De Haviland DHC-6 Twin Otter
    Ski-equipped Twin Otters are a staple in Antarctic aviation. They are used by STC, the British Antarctic Survey, the United States Antarctic Program, as well as the Argentine and Chilean air force. The DHC-6 probably needs no introduction to most people. This twin engine, turbo-prop, STOL (short take-off and landing) aircraft is used throughout the world to access remote locations on wheels, floats, tundra tires and skis. Their rugged landing gear and STOL characteristics allow them to take off and land where other aircraft cannot. From coastal resorts and remote communities to the Arctic and Antarctic wilderness, the Twin Otter provides reliable and versatile passenger and cargo transport.

    Basler BT-67
    Our larger ski aircraft is the Basler BT-67, a turboprop conversion of the Douglas DC-3. The Basler is quickly becoming the Antarctic aircraft of choice for transporting larger groups of passengers and larger cargo items into the field. Named “The Travel Product of the Century” by FORTUNE©, the Douglas DC-3 revolutionized air travel. The high-performance STOL aircraft is versatile, tough, simple and spacious. Its usefulness has been proven in every imaginable application, from passenger and cargo to military and special purpose missions. The Basler conversion replaces original piston engines with reliable Pratt and Whitney PT6A-67R turbine engines, extends the fuselage, adds de-icing and other improvements.

Overland Service
STC can deliver large volumes of heavy cargo and fuel to deep-field sites, using Prinoth BR-350 and Pistenbully tractors, large-capacity cargo sleds and bulk fuel containers. Each tractor delivers approximately 15 tonne of cargo per load, which is equivalent to 80 drums of fuel.
We can also provide complete support for commercial and scientific, tractor-train traverses including vehicle, driver-mechanic, and support staff. Our traverse module sleeps four and provides a comfortable living/work space. Our travel safety team will work with you to plan your route, using optical and radarsat images. Ground penetrating radar provides an additional measure of safety in the field.

    Prinoth BR-350
    Our five machines are used for regular long-distance traverses including science support, expeditions, and STC fuel caching. Our groomers assist with hauling cargo to and from Faraday, Rothera, Halley and seasonal ice runways in Sky Blu and Fossil Bluff, and on the South Shetland Islands. Grooming blades are used to level tent platforms and walkways, to maintain a network of safe vehicle travel routes to nearby destinations, and to prepare bike path tracks.

    Tucker Sno-Cats
    Our of 27 Tuckers perform a variety of tasks including hauling, skiway grooming, and transport for guest excursions. Eight units are equipped with a Hiab crane to assit with lifting cargo.

    Traverse Modules
    These two custom built modules mount onto a Lehmann sled, providing a comfortable living space for overland traverses. The module sleeps four and contains a kitchen, dining banquette, and toilet. These are typicially used by our crews operating seasonal airstrips at Sky Blu and Fossil Bluff, but are available in the off season for remote rental.

    Snowmobile Transport
    Our fleet of more than 100 snowmobiles is used to in support operations, long distance traverses, and scientific field parties. Snowmobiles are available for local travel or can be rented for deep-field locations. We own a variety of models, mostly 600cc 4-stroke engines. A range of polyethylene pulks and slides can be attached to the snowmobiles to transport cargo. Our travel safety department can provide instruction in safe operation and roped snowmobile travel, or we can provide you with a trained field guide/driver.

    Mountain Bike
    We offer Mountain Bike rentals at daily rates in all centers.

Sea Service
We operate the docks in Bellingshausen, Rothera, Port Lockroy, Faraday, South Shetlands Islands, Signey Island, and Halley and include stops at Orcadas Base, Beckner Island and numerous international research stations (by contract).

We offer regular daily, weekly or monthly passenger and cargo transports to all domestic ports.

Meteorological Service
STC’s meteorological department operates 7 days a week, preparing forecasts for air, land and sea operations, field parties, and civilian use. Twice-daily forecasts and weather briefings are available.

Our forecasters are professional meteorologists with a wide range of experience forecasting for civil and air force aviation. They use a variety of professional instruments and tools to gather information about atmospheric conditions and to develop a precise forecast. These include information from STC’s network of 26 automatic weather stations; satellite images produced by Sea Space Satellite receivers installed at Rothera, Faraday, Halley, Orcadas Base and aboard most ships in our fleet; and products from the high resolution atmospheric model, Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS). Weather information incorporates data shared by the Volaworand Space Agency and Volaworand Defence Force's PAWS network.

See Also: Economy of Volaworand

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Ooh, maybe I should apply too ^_^

I'm all the way up in plot 128 though, so that might be a really long flight or need a layover >.>

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