Mission Summary
20040628I Aircraft 43RF
June 28, 2004

Scientific Crew (43RF)

Lead Project Scientist

Rob Rogers
Radar Scientist John Gamache
Sonde Scientist Eric Uhlhorn
PDA laser Scientist Trina Lichendorf
IR Camera Scientist Jim Lasswell
BAT Probe Scientist Jeff French
SRA Scientist Ed Walsh
ObserverJennifer Huergo (ONR)
ObserverCarl Friehe (ONR)
Aircraft Crew
PilotsLCDR Barry Choy
LT Mike Silah
NavigatorLCDR Tom Strong
Flight DirectorMarty Mayeaux
Engineers Terry Lynch

Mission Briefing:

NOAA43 will perform a 3-4 hour CBLAST calibration test flight with a takeoff time set for 1600 UTC .

Mission Report:

The flight took off at 1 PM, after a one-hour delay to correct for PDA laser misalighnment and BAT probe floating ground. The flight was designed to fly through precipitation off Marco Island and then prodceed to do a rehersal of the CBLAST stair-step pattern over the NDBC buoy 42003, then conduct BAT probe calibration maneuvers before retruning to base. Additionaly a Scripps camera calibration fly-over of the MacDill air field was conducted. The flight was 4 hr, 15 min in duration. A GPS dropsonde was deployed over the buoy as were 6 AXBT's representing 3 BT types for intercomparison. The flight pattern called for upwind-downwind flight legs of 20 nm length flown at 195 kt TAS, to simulate required flight conditions for the FSSP100 and CIP particle probes, which were not on the aircraft due to delays in mounting the cloud physics pylon on the aircraft, a significant draw-back in assessing over-all instrumentation performance.

All instruments performed well with only minor problems. The precipitation had evaporated by the time the aircraft arrived on site so no PDA droplets were imaged. A small drift in one laser was noted. The laser generated excessive cabin heat which may require it to be operated only at intervals. The heat build up may have been a factor in nearly simultaneous aircraft computer and radar crashes, which proved minor and were quickly brought back on line. This situation, however, needs to be monitored. The BAT probe floating ground was evident, but correctable. The SRA experienced a 6 dB reduction in power levels similar to what was observed durng Fabian flights last year, and which may be due to frayed flex wave guide, which will be replaced on Wednesday after the next flight.

There was some question regarding the side-slip angle on the aircraft as tested during the BAT probe cal maneuvers. Different values were apparent between pilot readouts and computer calculations displayed on the monitors. This issue needs to be resolved.

The execution of the flight pattern was rather sloppy and requires additional practice. Leg lengths and turning proceedures need to be refined as does attention to maintaining proper TAS of 195 kt. Flight levels of 2400, 1200 , 900, 600 and 400 ft were intended to be flown. The lowest level of 400 ft was not flown as scheduled due to life vest issues. Life vest are required to be worn during all flight sements below 500 ft. HRD crew will add personal life vest availability and headset operation checks to its pre-flight check list.

Pete Black
Hurricane Field Program Director



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