A test of nerves and skill.
Landing an aircraft in Iceland‘s fjords can be an unnerving experience. Negotiating rapid changes in weather and visibility, especially the unforeseen wind gusts, demands a high level of skill. Icelandic pilots are very well trained to operate in these conditions.
Last year in March I was stranded for 3 days on the remote Strandir coast after a ferocious snow storm had rendered the only land route into the region impassable. See this post I made at the time. A once-a-week flight operated from Reykjavík into the area’s tiny airstrip at Gjögur was my only way out. Needless to add, I was the sole passenger on the return flight to Reykjavík.
These photographs were taken handheld on a cold and blustery afternoon as I waited for the aircraft (a Jetstream 31) to arrive.
Check out the slideshow below of the landing sequence.
Descent into Reykjarfjörður
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II
The U-turn
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II
Almost there
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II
Touchdown at Gjögur
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II
I used to have a pilot’s license, but never had any desire to fly in those conditions.
Would have been fun to fly there!