International Ice Patrol entertains all Public Affairs requests. In order to properly research your requests and meet our operational commitments, we require 14 days notice!
IIP Ice Reconnaissance Detachment (IRD) Media Guide
Our IRD base of operations is in St. John's, Newfoundland. This guide provides information on IRD operations ad highlights some guidelines for participation in reconnaissance flights.
St. John's Newfoundland Useful Links:
- St. John's Official Website
- St. John's Weather
- OZ FM's Sky Cam from downtown St. John's
- The Telegram, a St. John's Newspaper
- OZ FM, a St. John's Radio Station (there are about 3 or 4)
Equipment Recommendations
Bring plenty of spare batteries. Due to a limited number of power sources on the aircraft, there will not be any spare electrical connections.
If recording sound, consider a small remote (peanut or lapel) microphone which can be placed inside a headset (we'll loan a headset, which you may need to share). It's about 110 decibels inside the plane, and the headset is about the only way to be heard and understood.
Radio-transmitting (wireless) microphone systems have been known to fail inflight, possibly due to interference with aircraft radios. We suggest using cables.
If you're lucky enough to see a large iceberg, a wide-angle lens works well.
Some polarizing lenses pick up interference from our windows.
Please be aware that if any of your equipment interferes with the aircraft's electronic systems, you'll be told to stop to ensure personal and aircraft safety.
Transportation Rules
You are responsible for your own transportation while in St. John's, Newfoundland. A number of the larger automobile rental companies have offices at the International Airport.
There is no guarantee that we'll land at the same base from which we depart --usually we know ahead of time, but not always. The weather in St. John's is highly variable!
If we land at a different location and we have completed all our patrols, you may need to arrange your return trip from there. So remain flexible!
Due to increased security measures, all foreign media are required to meet the International Ice Patrol in Groton, CT, or Air Station Elizabeth City in NC prior to transiting to Canada. In the past, media crews arrived prior to the RECDETs scheduled departure and filmed the pre-deployment brief held in the Ice Patrol's operations center. Special arrangements can be made to allow foreign media to meet the RECDET crew in Canada through a request to the International Ice Patrol's Public Affairs Officer.
Liability
We have an outstanding safety record, but we still have each passenger sign a standard release form. This is required before you board the flight.
Medical
We don't recommend anyone fly with a head cold. We do not carry any medications on board the aircraft. If medications (Tylenol, decongestants, or motion sickness pills) are necessary, you must provide them. Most of our guests do not encounter problems with air sickness, but please do not be embarrassed if you don't feel well (for ANY reason)--let a crewmember know so we can help. We can provide airsickness bags if you feel that one might be necessary.
Food
We recommend you have a light meal prior to flying--stomachs seem to do better with some food in them. You may also want to bring along a bag lunch and some additional snacks, since the flight will be 6-7 hours long. We do not have any refrigeration onboard, so bring non-perishable foods or else a cooler with ice.
The humidity in the aircraft is generally very low (approx. 10%). Therefore, it is recommended you bring plenty of water, lotion, and chap stick.
Clothes
Bottom line: comfortable! Flat, comfortable shoes or boots. Sunglasses for viewing out the window. Bring enough funds, personal items, professional equipment/supplies to be self-sufficient for a number of days.
Think cold when dressing for an Ice Patrol flight. Long pants and consider some long underwear. It is very cold at search altitude and the aircraft is not well insulated, especially near the floor. Dress in layers and pay attention to your feet. There are parts of the airplane that are colder than others.
Arrival Instructions
Our crews normally meet about two hours prior to takeoff. We would like you to either meet us when we depart from the hotel lobby in St. John's or at the Torbay Aero Services lobby. The Tactical Commander will give you the time and place to meet. For travel planning, the airport is St. John's International Airport (the only one in St. John's, Newfoundland).
Media Escort
You will have a liaison assigned to you from IIP. It will usually be the Tactical Commander, but it may be a Public Affairs person from USCG Atlantic Area or USCG Headquarters. Keep in mind that there are two separate commands working together on the aircraft. One is the aircrew from USCG Air Station Elizabeth City, NC and the International Ice Patrol personnel from New London, CT. Media questions should be directed toward the personnel who have the expertise to answer them. For example, all mission related questions should be directed toward the IIP Tactical Commander. Aircraft related questions should be directed to the Aircraft Commander. RADAR related questions should be directed towards the RADAR operators themselves. If you are unsure who to ask, the Tactical Commander can direct you to the person who can best answer your questions.
The Finished Product
We request a copy of your article or video for our archives.
