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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Test flights resume over Sectors 4 and 5 this week with desert areas being a focus, for some reason. North Pole Flight Command says the nature of these flights is “classified” and will not reveal exactly where they are headed or why.

We have been informed however that test flights will be scheduled for later in November that focus on tracker training. More details of these events will be shared at SantaTrackers.net for qualified tracker elves.

As the North Pole gears up for Operation Merry Christmas it should be noted that the test flight crew and sleigh design teams will actually start winding down their efforts for the season. A modified long-range schedule of test flights in December reveal that most flight will be done around the 18th of December, at which time Santa’s sleigh will return to the North Pole for cosmetic finishing.

A final test flight of Santa’s sleigh is scheduled just hours before Santa actually launches for himself.

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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There are just 75 days now until Santa’s launch. Santa’s sleigh continues test flights over Sector 1 at this time. All reports from Flight Command indicate the sleigh is on track for on-time delivery.

Flight engineers remain hopeful on the possibility of a new speed record to be set by Santa and his sleigh this year. Early test flight results have been promising. Of course, it cannot yet be known what obstacles Santa will face – such as weather – when he actually takes flight.

This is why the sleigh is tested in every possible weather scenario in many places around the world.

Please keep on eye on the North Pole websites for further information about Santa’s launch.

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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Reindeer trials are being conducted in New Zealand as the test flights of Santa’s sleigh shift their focus to take-off’s and landings.

The reindeer trials are a test of both the sleigh and reindeer. The 2 year old class of reindeer face a certification test as part of this event. New Zealand was chosen as the local for these trials because of the weather and the scheduled testing of Santa’s sleigh in Sector 1.

The trials only take a few days.

Reindeer handlers are looking to test and certify these 2 year old reindeer for take-offs and landings – perhaps the most difficult job for a reindeer as part of their sleigh pulling duties. Officials from the Reindeer Department have been in New Zealand for the past several weeks to prepare for the events.

“These are not like the reindeer games,” explain Elf Victor, head of reindeer operations at the North Pole. “These are for individual reindeer. It is an important process to test and certify their skills. Many of them are nervous because this is a huge certification to acquire. Any of the reindeer who want to work for Santa have to pass this test. So for them, this is very serious.”

The reindeer are kept isolated from the reindeer community and from elves not involved in the process. The results are kept confidential. This is one reason why Santa chooses for this process to take place away from the North Pole.

Sleigh pilots too use these events to certify. They too have to become expert in take-offs and landings.

Once this event is complete Santa’s sleigh will resume normal flight tests over Sector 1.

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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Mapping parts of Australia has become a new mission of Santa’s sleigh this week. As test flights have repositioned over Sector 1 this special mission has become a priority.

“Mapping is an ongoing project that gets worked on daily all over the world.” explained North Pole Flight Director Elf Buck Sanchez. “The world is constantly changing. New roads and development happen. People move. Landmarks change. Santa has to keep up with everything so we use a variety of means to map every part of the earth. Santa needs the latest of this information.”

While the use of Santa’s sleigh is not normally part of the mapping efforts at the North Pole it is especially useful for not only helping the mapping effort but also for low altitude flights of Santa’s sleigh. Mapping requires low and slow work by the sleigh and given the weather in Australia right now this is the perfect mission for them.

“These flight are during daylight hours,” explained Elf Supervisor Randi Hume. “That means anyone can see these flight and it is likely a lot of people will see the sleigh. It’s a great opportunity for tracker elves and Santa fans alike. Santa, of course, will not be piloting these flights but how often do you get to see Santa’s sleigh in broad daylight?”

We suspect these flights over Australia will last for three or four days.