Rajan Parrikar Photo Blog

Descent into the Fjord

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.

Eagle Air plane landing at Gjögur airport, Iceland

Descent into Reykjarfjörður
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II

 
Eagle Air plane landing at Gjögur airport, Iceland

The U-turn
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II

 
Almost there5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II

Almost there
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II

 
Eagle Air plane landing at Gjögur airport, Iceland

Touchdown at Gjögur
5D Mark III, 100-400L IS II

 

 
 
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