[clee1]

but do they need to contact every possible divert base and arrange for emergency fuel in advance? No, not for "routine" flights between normal airports. An emergency can be declared and that will allow landing at normally closed or restricted airfields. ICAC regulations stipulate that all nations must assist in recovery operations of downed aircraft and crews. However, I had a friend that had to declare an emergency and land at McDill AFB in Tampa; they rolled the crash trucks out and my friend landed w/o incident. However, the military would not let him take off after the problem was found and corrected. He had to get a truck/trailer to come onto the base to tow him to the Tampa airport - and his wings had to be removed so it could travel on the roads. This "emergency" cost my friend about $15,000. I believe McMurdo Sound is controlled by the military, and it certainly is not a regular use airport. This fellow should not have counted on it as a "divert" base.

[KO5A]

"However, the military would not let him take off after the problem was found and corrected. He had to get a truck/trailer to come onto the base to tow him to the Tampa airport - and his wings had to be removed so it could travel on the roads. This "emergency" cost my friend about $15,000."

Another good reason not to have a standing army in peacetime- In addition to being dangerous to liberty, they are useless.