Elf News Reporter at North Pole News Network
Elf Meg graduated from Southern North Pole University with a degree in journalism. For several years she was a star reporter for the North Pole Gazette and then briefly served as a producer for North Pole Radio News. She brings her experience in media to North Pole Flight Command, serving as both an Elf News Reporter for North Pole Radio News and Managing Editor of North Pole Flight Command.com
Elf Meg Nogg
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As noted recently in the news at the North Pole Santa has ordered more test sleighs to be quickly constructed and for expansion of sleigh test flights.

This is not an unusual announcement. In fact, it is a very common thing at this time of the year.

With a little more than a month until flight time for Santa the expansion of tests means we are closer to having a finalized design. Santa has said he is very encouraged with how the test flights have gone and he is excited about the new sleigh design.

Of course, in order to expand the test flights more reindeer will be needed to handle the work load.

Word was sent to Bright Star ranch in Argentina to seek reindeer who can fulfill the mission of the test flights of Santa’s sleigh. Over the next few days the sleigh will shift closer to the North Pole in testing activities. It is expected that the reindeer will join the test flight team at that time.

We do not know yet if the test flights being greater in number will mean they might be spread out to other locations around the world. That is being discussed. We hope to be able to announce the tentative locations of test flight activity for the next several weeks.

As we get closer to Christmas the interest in the test flights naturally increases.

Elf News Reporter at North Pole News Network
Elf Meg graduated from Southern North Pole University with a degree in journalism. For several years she was a star reporter for the North Pole Gazette and then briefly served as a producer for North Pole Radio News. She brings her experience in media to North Pole Flight Command, serving as both an Elf News Reporter for North Pole Radio News and Managing Editor of North Pole Flight Command.com
Elf Meg Nogg
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Santa’s sleigh, her pilots and all 3400 reindeer have departed the North Pole and are now engaged in flight tests over North America. But they are actually headed to Europe this week for load tests.

Load tests are runs of the sleigh loaded with different amounts of weight. They will fly the sleigh over several different kinds of terrain and in all kinds of weather. In fact, I’m told that the geography of Europe is perfect for these kinds of tests. There is great variety there.

We do not yet know what timetable we’re looking at for these tests or how long the test flights will be taking place in Europe. We hope to have an update by mid-week.

We are also looking for an update on the return of Santa’s regular reindeer teams to the North Pole. But no one seems to have any information on that yet. We will keep you posted.

Elf News Reporter at North Pole News Network
Elf Meg graduated from Southern North Pole University with a degree in journalism. For several years she was a star reporter for the North Pole Gazette and then briefly served as a producer for North Pole Radio News. She brings her experience in media to North Pole Flight Command, serving as both an Elf News Reporter for North Pole Radio News and Managing Editor of North Pole Flight Command.com
Elf Meg Nogg
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The test flights of Santa’s sleigh continues over parts of Asia and the Pacific ocean this week. For those following along on the map you will likely see the sleigh heading north in the coming days.

That is because the test pilots and the reindeer will be bringing the sleigh back to the North Pole and will be taking a brief break to celebrate Halloween. The North Pole traditionally celebrated Halloween in a big way. You can likely receive news of that event at the North Pole website.

The break will be very brief.

One of the things being testing right now is the data flow between the sleigh and the new Tracking Santa app.

Testers of the app may see some strange things in the app over the next week or so.

Elf News Reporter at North Pole News Network
Elf Meg graduated from Southern North Pole University with a degree in journalism. For several years she was a star reporter for the North Pole Gazette and then briefly served as a producer for North Pole Radio News. She brings her experience in media to North Pole Flight Command, serving as both an Elf News Reporter for North Pole Radio News and Managing Editor of North Pole Flight Command.com
Elf Meg Nogg
Latest posts by Elf Meg Nogg (see all)

After about a week in South America Santa’s sleigh is now going to head west over the Pacific on its way to New Zealand and Australia. Officials in North Pole Flight Command are not yet ready to say how long the sleigh will fly there.

We still have not learned much about the test flights conducted in South America. They were explained to us as “routine” but the details of those flights remain classified. We also note that Santa was here last week and actually flew the sleigh himself. That is the first time he has flown the sleigh this year and the first time in many, many years that he has piloted the sleigh in a test situation. This is not work that Santa normally does.

Santa seemed to be pleased with the sleigh. He didn’t say much and he left very quietly without saying goodbye to most of us. We assume he has returned to the North Pole.

The absence of more reindeer is not going unnoticed with the test flight teams. They have plenty of reindeer to do the test flights. They are concerned because Santa’s regular reindeer are usually participating in test flights at this time of the year as part of their conditioning to get ready for Christmas.

They have not returned yet to the North Pole and as such cannot yet be added to the flight rotation. Elves here are starting to talk.