¶ Troll Airfield
The information in this document is not intended for real aviation. It is only intended for computer-based flight simulation.
Troll Airfield (AT27 or ENOE) is an airport in Antarctica, Queen Maud Land. It is located near the Norwegian polar research station Troll.
In real life, special training is required to fly here, which includes familiarization with the route, the polar area and the airfield, and also a survival course for freezing polar conditions.
In a simulator environment, such complications are unlikely to arise, but you are nevertheless provided with this document containing information useful for a realistic experience.
By default, Troll Airfield is not included in MSFS, X-Plane, Prepar3D or FSX. It is therefore necessary to use one of the sceneries listed below.
¶ Scenery
Recommended AT27 scenery for MSFS:
Antarctica Airport Pack by kychungdotcom - freeware
Recommended AT27 scenery for X-Plane:
HSimulators: Antarctica Mega Scenery - payware
Antarctica4XPlane - Part III - freeware
Recommended AT27 scenery for P3D/FSX:
Aerosoft Antarctica X - payware
Antarctic Airfields AFCAD - freeware
¶ Flight Planning
Due to Troll Airfield's unique location, and considering the overall unusualness of flying to Antarctica, thorough flight planning is strongly advised.
Troll Airfield is situated on a glacier. It is located at a relatively high altitude: 4125 ft. South of the airport, mountains form a significant terrain obstacle.
The runway is approximately 3 kilometres long and 60 metres wide. Its dimensions are therefore slightly above average compared to European conditions. But the big difference lies in the surface of the runway: at Troll Airfield, it is made up of ice, which is grinded for better braking performace.
The commonly used code for this airfield is AT27, but it is possible to encounter the code ENOE as well. In your simulator, depending on the downloaded scenery, you may see both, so please, be aware of this.
Unfortunately, the airfield is missing from the Simbrief planning software database. Either way, it is recommended to fill the aircraft up with the maximum amount of fuel possible. It is then possible to refuel at Antarctica for the return journey.
Routes can be found in our crew centre, or here:
FACT - AT27 (ENOE):
OKTED DCT 3520S 3720S 4019S 4518S 5016S 5514S 6012S 6410S 6807S
AT27 (ENOE) - FACT:
6807S 6410S 6012S 5514S 5016S 4518S 4019S 3720S 3520S DCT GETEN
Troll Airfield is considered an isolated airport, which means that there is no alternate airport in its vicinity to divert to if needed. It is only possible to depart for the flight if the weather at the destination is satisfactory, and also if there are no other aircraft in the air in the critical area (in case they have to divert to Troll Airfield).
As Troll Airfield is an isolated airfield, it is necessary to define a so-called Point of No Return (PNR) – after passing this point, it is no longer possible to turn back, and there is no other option but to continue the flight to Antarctica. The location of this point will depend primarily on the amount of fuel on board.
Spare parts and polar survival gear are loaded on board. The flight is also naturally an ETOPS flight. The flight from Cape Town takes about 6 hours. In reality, only the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is used on these flights to Antarctica, but with due caution, it is also possible to use for example a Boeing 737-800.
¶ Arrival
Before leaving Cape Town, the APU is switched on, and left on until the aircraft returns to Cape Town. This means that the APU is running for the entire flight there and back.
During the flight, the weather should be monitored. Among other things, it is not possible to land at Troll Airfield if the temperature is above 0°C, due to a risk of the ice starting to melt. If random faults are enabled in the simulator, it is also advisable to check the technical condition of the aircraft.
There is no ground-based radionavigation system (such as VOR, ILS, NDB, etc.). However, RNAV procedures are defined for the approach, and maps are provided at the end of this document. The final part of the approach is entirely visual. In real life, IFR is canceled during the approach, and the flight crew fully transitions to VFR.
Due to the proximity to the pole, the geographic heading here differs from the magnetic heading, the current variation is 23°W. The geographical course of the runway is 069°/249°, but the magnetic course (i.e. what the compass will show) is 092°/272°.
After landing, it is possible to turn around anywhere on the runway, as its width is 60 metres. The apron is located in the eastern half of the airport, adjacent to the southern side of the runway, approximately 1 kilometre from the threshold of runway 27.
In a worst case emergency, the Wolf's Fang Runway, located approximately 140 nautical miles east of Troll Airfield, can be used.
¶ Departure
When selecting the airport after launching the simulator, look for either AT27 or ENOE. Depending on the scenery installed, one or the other designation may appear.
It is possible to refuel at Troll Airfield for the return trip: in real life, the required fuel is usually delivered here as part of a contract (and interestingly, it is done with a DC-3 aircraft!).
In real life, chemical deicing is not possible here, mainly for environmental reasons, but is usually not required due to the weather conditions – the airfield is located in a so-called polar desert. If necessary, hot air is available, and mechanical deicing equipment is loaded on the aircraft.
¶ Footnote
In January 2022, Smartwings became the first airline to land a Boeing 737 MAX 8 in Antarctica. This was also the last continent on which the airline had not yet landed.
This event deservedly received a great deal of media attention. Since then, flights here have been operated regularly every year for the Norwegian Polar Institute.
You can read more about Smartwings flights to Antarctica in many online sources, for example on the official Smartwings website.
We also recommend an interview with the captain of the very first flight Smartwings to Antarctica, though it is available only in Czech.
We hope you will enjoy flying to Antarctica in your flight simulator!
¶ Charts & Info
- Elevation: 4125 ft
- Coordinates: 71°57′19″S 2°28′03″E
- RWY: 09/27 (3000x60 m, Surface: Ice)
- ATC: Troll Info 123.450
- Handling: Penguins
- Stands: apron (south side of RWY, about 1000 m from RWY 27 threshold)
