Santa’s sleigh has been working over the skies of Sector 3, and in recent days, over Sector 2. The test flights in these areas have been productive.

As a result of those flights we can now inform you that yet another new prototype sleigh has been produced and we will transition the sleigh yet again over the next several days.

Version 3, which is what we call the new sleigh prototype, features design tweaks meant to stabilize the sleigh at high speeds. Previous designs revealed stability issues under heavy cargo conditions, a frequent reality in Claus flight on Christmas Eve. We will dispatch test pilots and reindeer to Sector 1 for testing of this new version later this next week.

In addition, under the direction of the North Pole Navy and North Pole Flight Command, the SS Frosty will temporarily reposition to the Tasman Sea to support flight operations while in Sector 1.

We can also report that the operational condition of both the test pilot teams and the reindeer teams is exceptional.

We continue to enjoy the support of tracker elves around the world while the test flight program continues. The coming weeks will see each sector perform reporting in advance of Santa’s flight that are necessary for the success of the mission. We hope all tracker elves worldwide are engaged at this critical time.

(From the Office of Elf Roger Star – International Director of Santa Trackers) – As you are all well aware, yesterday a test flight of Santa’s sleigh crashed in the South Pacific. If you are following the news reports here and on other official websites of the North Pole, you are as informed as I am about the current status of the test flights.

There have been many from every sector who have questions about what happened and what this event means. The purpose of my statement here today is to clarify the situation as much as I can and to provide direction for tracker elves everywhere about what they can and should be doing right now.

North Pole Flight Command, hours ago, announced that all test flights have been suspended while they conduct an investigation into what happened and how another similar event can be prevented. How long test flights will be suspended is not known at this time.

Regardless, I have instructed elf supervisors of every sector to continue with their plans. That means you MAY receive direction and/or requests from your elf supervisor even if the test flights remain grounded. The operation of test flights never had anything to do with your responsibilities as a tracker. The test flights give us good training and are helpful in developing tracking skills such as spotting Santa’s sleigh in flight. But the test flights are not necessary for you to do your job.

We remind you, that this is a new year and that Santa has placed upon us new expectations in our tracking duties. We must move forward with those things.

Please remain engaged in checking in as frequently as you can for new direction from your elf supervisor.

If and when the test flights resume, you will hear how those flights might impact your sector and if there is an opportunity for you to participate in some way.

For now, assume that all operations are normal, and that you are “on-the-job” in your tracking duties. Your elf supervisor will provide an occasional update of your responsibilities.

Thank you.

The North Pole Navy is repositioning for later coordination this next week with flights of Santa’s sleigh. We’re not sure if that means our Sector or Sectors 4 or 5, so I’m just passing along the news. We can anticipate several days of test flights over the Pacific…somewhere.

The coordination with the North Pole Navy is interesting. They serve as floating tracking centers most of the time but they are also emergency landing zones for flying sleighs. Santa has never had to use one that way but a few freighter sleighs and other kinds of flights have found the North Pole Navy to be quite helpful, especially in resting reindeer and breaking up long flights.

Each ship has food, water, medical facilities for both elves and reindeer and even a remote sleigh repair shop. They are there to help if help is needed.

They have already been working on communications with the Navy and that is going well.

But the purpose of these flights, I’m told, is to test sleigh capabilities over open waters. These are very important tests because Santa spends much of his flying time over the oceans.

They will be testing how the sleigh performs in both high and low altitudes, loaded and unloaded, and fast and slow speeds. These tests will be conducted both night and day.

This won’t be a great week for possible sleigh sightings….until maybe later in the week.

One of us will let you know. It depends on where they are going next and weather conditions they want to encounter. Right now, we are not sure where that will be.

I would just tell all sectors to be ready to submit weather reports, especially around the end of the week. So heads up!