Category Flight News

Sleigh Design
News, Flight News, Sleigh Info

Sleigh Heading Back to Europe

by Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf News Reporter at Santa Claus LTD
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)

Santa’s sleigh will be heading back to Europe after it was revealed today that some design flaws were detected. Engineers are working on some minor changes to the sleigh and will have new prototypes constructed with the changes in design before the sleigh gets to Europe for additional testing.

It is not expected that the change will result in any delays to testing of the sleigh.

Test pilots of Santa’s sleigh say that the testing period has gone remarkably well. They are hoping to convince Santa to come out to the field to do some test flights himself very soon.

In talking with Santa’s staff, however, it is not something that Santa will have time for. He is putting as much time in as he can in visiting with children via video chat. So we’ll see if we can get him in the sleigh sometime soon.

By the way, it’s normal for Santa NOT to even see the sleigh in the weeks before he takes off. He trusts his team at Research and Development and the test pilots to get the job done.

That being said, Santa has been more involved with the design of the sleigh this year than he has been in many decades.

Santa is a very avid aviator. He loves to fly. He also hold many world records, for speed, distance and endurance.

We are also pleased to report that we have now many more additional reindeer who have volunteered for duty since their return to the North Pole.

Flights are going very well.

 

Thanksgiving Break
News, Flight News

Thanksgiving Break Announced for Test Flights

by Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf News Reporter at Santa Claus LTD
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)

A Thanksgiving break for test flights of Santa’s sleigh was announced today so that test pilots and reindeer can be with their families. They will also be able to take part in the planned festivities at the North Pole for Thanksgiving.

This is the final break on the schedule for this year.

For many of our test pilots the “real” testing of Santa’s sleigh takes place after Thanksgiving anyway. For months now the flights have focused on refining the sleigh design. Now the focus will be on stabilizing the sleigh’s performance at high speeds under all kinds of weather conditions.

Some call this the “danger zone” — when Santa’s sleigh is tested to the limit.

For our test pilots, however, these are critical tests. Nobody flies the sleigh faster than Santa will. Every year the new sleigh gets rigorous testing because Santa will be looking to beat all previous speed records. He needs to constantly improve so that he can keep up with the demands of the world. Speed equals time, which is very precious to Santa and his merry job.

So the testing of the sleigh in the next few weeks is very important.

Where is Santa’s sleigh headed AFTER Thanksgiving?

I don’t know that yet. But once the big wigs at Flight Command meet and plan I will be sure to let you know. I’m sure Santa has some direction for them too.

But for the next few days they will be hanging near the North Pole — and they will be taking Thursday off, for sure.

More Reindeer for Test Flights
Flight News, News, Reindeer

More Reindeer Coming

by Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf News Reporter at Santa Claus LTD
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)

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.

Test Flights Over Europe
Flight News, News, Sleigh Info

Test Flights Planned Again Over Europe

by Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf Meg Nogg
Elf News Reporter at Santa Claus LTD
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)

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.