FUTURE

Station and for redeployment of personnel to Christchurch using either C-130s or C-

141s. Continued reliance on the Pegasus runway for these uses alone justifies its

maintenance.

Enhanced operating windows

The Pegasus runway also provides the USAP with enhanced aircraft operating

windows. The runway will allow wheeled C-130 operations year-round. Other

wheeled aircraft with higher tire pressures (e.g., C-141) could, in most years, access

the runway from mid-January to about 15 November. Skied aircraft can use the run-

way throughout the year. Mechanical testing of ice strength and proof testing of the

runway at different times of the year when flight operations are desired will identify

runway integrity for different temperature regimes.

Potential for other aircraft

Having shown that the Pegasus runway can support the C-141, we believe that

virtually any aircraft could safely operate from it as well. Certification for other air-

craft will, of course, be necessary, with attention paid to the tire load and contact

pressure, landing gear arrangement, and total and "gang" load. This opens the possi-

bility for the USAP to increase utilization of New Zealand's or another Antarctic

partner 's aircraft resources. In addition, it may be beneficial to consider passenger

planes flown by a commercial contractor for the majority of the personnel transport

needs. Cargo aircraft could then focus entirely on moving goods and supplies.

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