Rothera, Antarctica – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2583 from Field Aviation in Calgary have been mastering the weather of Antarctica for a British survey team since late October 2007. Ragnar Olafson, an avionics technician, leads a group of four aviation mechanics from Field who have been providing technical support for the survey’s four De Havilland Twin Otters and single De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft. The job requires the Machinists to go wherever the aircraft takes them, and could be away from their base for weeks at a time. The group returned home to Calgary in Mid-March.
(from left to right) Claiming Antarctica on behalf of the Machinists is Chad McIntyre, Ragnar Olafson, Kyle Hegedus and Jamie Neggers.
