The flight westward to California (Reykiavik, Iceland to Sondrestrom Fjord, Greenland)
Round the World Flight with HB-PON 2008/09
Rolf Martin FRIEDEN & Manfred Melloh
Thu 11 Aug 2005 20:23
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67:01.1W 050:41.6W
While checking the actual and forecasted weather en route to our fuel stop in Sondrestrom Fjord (on the east coast of Greenland) and then on across the Davis Straits to Iqualuit on Baffin Island in Northern Canada, revealed Icing was forecasted over Greenland, but way north of our planned direct route past our only alternative landing Kulusuk, on the east coast. We figured, no problem for us a all! The first two hours across the Greenland Sea were in perfect clear conditions.  As we approached the east coast of Greenland however, a solid cloud cover appeared in front of us, and in no time we were imbedded in solid IMG at the assigned flight level 120 to cross the Ice Cap.  Tense moments followed, as we were rapidly picking up a fair amount of ice on the wings and our autopilot showed increasing difficulties to hold our assigned altitude. After a self-imposed countdown of 30 seconds and a call to Greenland Control, I decided to divert to our alternate and start my descent to Kulusuk. Surprise, surprise! "While making my steep 180-degree turn to the east, all the accumulated ice on the wings broke off at once and simply sprang off the wingtip and disappeared. I then continued my turn to the original westerly heading...................... Much lighter and with a perfect clean airfoil, we were again able to climb back to our assigned flight level and continue above clouds now, to our first stop at Sondrestrom Fjord.  Air Greenland at Sondrestrom Fjord |