MOUNT HOWE [87°-20'S-149°-45'W] 


Merits

1. Proven ice runway 6,000 x 60 m (20,000 x 200 ft) with maximum
longitudinal grade not exceeding 2% and transverse grade not
exceeding 1%. [207°/27°]

2. High probability of finding ice runway of same dimensions with
grade not exceeding 1%.

3. Proven ice runway perpendicular to long runway and directed
into the prevailing wind 2140 x 60 m (7,000 x 200 ft) with
maximum longitudinal and transverse grade not exceeding 1%.

4. Both runways have clear approaches (1:50 glide slope). Long
runway has low angle climb-out path whereas into-wind runway has
1:20 climb-out path.

5. Crevasse-free route available for surface travel to South Pole
(160 miles).

Drawbacks

1. Prevailing wind [120°] is across long runway.

2. Shorter (into-wind) runway, while it is almost three times as
long as the nominal landing distance of a loaded C5B at sea level
(2380 ft), would involve landing towards Mt Howe. However, this
runway would only be used when the crosswind component on the long
runway exceeded safe limits.

3. No level areas available for permanent structures on bedrock.

4. Adds 160 miles to round-trip distance McMurdo-South Pole.

5. Runway surfaces need planing to remove ice bumps of typical
size 0.3 x 20 m (1 x 60 feet). Natural surface permits only STOL
aircraft operations.


Charles Swithinbank
South Pole
15 January 1989