The plight of Johanson, who has circled the world three times in his RV, has sparked a major reaction in the aviation community. EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski said senior officials of his organization were in contact with government and NSF officials most of the day Wednesday trying to work something out. He said the issue quickly went as high as the State Department in Washington but by AVweb‘s press deadline Wednesday there was no indication Johanson would be able to resume his flight. Knapinski said it was his understanding the Antarctic base doesn’t have any avgas but, even if it did, officials probably wouldn’t sell it to him. Knapinski said it’s been a long-held rule in the Antarctic that if you aren’t part of an official, self-sufficient expedition there, you become a rescue operation. Under those policies, a trip home is the only option. The NSF news release says neither the Americans nor the New Zealanders “supply or stock fuel for private individuals.” Although it’s been reported that Johanson rigorously researched the forecast weather on his proposed route, his Antarctic hosts have apparently not been moved by his explanations. “The pilot should have made the decision to abandon his original flight plans much sooner when faced with these weather conditions and returned to Invercargill in New Zealand,” said Sanson.
…EAA, State Department Involved
Key Takeaways:
- Pilot Johanson is stranded in the Antarctic due to a lack of avgas and adverse weather conditions, sparking significant attention from the aviation community and government officials.
- Antarctic bases, managed by the NSF and New Zealanders, do not supply fuel to private individuals, considering them a rescue operation if not part of an official expedition.
- Efforts to assist Johanson have reached high levels, including the State Department, but there is no indication he will be able to resume his flight from the Antarctic.
- Officials critical of Johanson's decision-making suggest he should have abandoned his flight plans much sooner when faced with the difficult weather conditions.
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