After recent repairs, the single helicopter that ferries mail and passengers to and from Little Diomede Island is up and running.
The Bell 212 aircraft operated by Oregon-based Erickson Aviation set out on a mail run last week, when operators realized the craft had an issue with their autopilot system—equipment through which a flight plan is logged to assist the human operator.
Erickson Director of Marketing & Business Development Susan Bladholm says a light in the system wasn’t working, which was an easy replacement, but had to be dealt with before the craft was approved for flight. The repair was made last week, but weather delays in the last several days have again delayed flight to and from the small Bering Sea community.
A contract between Erickson and regional nonprofit Kawerak provides the Essential Air Service program, but with only one aircraft and spotty Northwestern Alaska weather, delays are old hat for many travelers.
The last mail run to the village of Diomede was May 7, followed by a search and rescue utilizing the craft. The Bell 212 has been flying in place of a Bolkow BO-105 that was out of service with mechanical and weather issues for over a month in February.
Bladholm says the aircraft is currently in Nome, and she doesn’t expect any further delay on Erickson’s end. The copter made it out of Nome today and almost arrived at Diomede; however, a fog bank prevented landing, so it had to return to Nome. Erickson says they will attempt flight again tomorrow.
