Helicopters play an important role in the Antarctic.

When you are on a ship you cannot see very far ahead and because of the cold weather in the Antarctic the sea sometimes turns to ice and it becomes difficult for ships to move through.So having helicopters on board allows you to fly up into the sky and take a look around to see which might be the best way for the ship to go.

Helicopters need to be looked after. On Peters expedition they have two helicopters which they keep safe and protected in a hangar which is like a house for a helicopter.

Fuel for the helicopter is also needed.

The helicopter has wheels on which make it easier to move it around on deck.

They take the wheels off when they want to use it and the helicopters blades are stored seperately and only put on when the helicopter is going to be used. This is because of storage space and to protect the blades.

Before going on a ‘reccki’ the crew starts checking all the parts of the helicopter, the doors, the safety belts.

They need to make sure there is enough fuel in it.

All the instruments are checked and the engine.

The next important step is putting the blades on the helicopter.

When the helicopter is ready, Peter climbs onboard to take a closer look at the sea ice.