Mission Briefing:

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

Mission Report:

Another test flight of 43RF was held 30 June,2004 as planned for the purpose of practicing the CBLAST stepped descent flight pattern and further checking the operation of CBLAT instrumentation. Crew brief was held at 8 AM as planned. Ed Wash ground tested his SRA instrument and then departed MacDill AFB as he awaits a part for eleiminating a 6 dB reduction in signal strength discovered on Monday's flight. The flight took off at 11:05 AM after a one hour delay due to a minor aircraft problem, and returned at 3:51 PM.

All objectives of the test flight were accomplished. The flight was flown precisely as planned with the stepped descent at 195 kt TAS over NDBC buoy 42003 from 2400' to 400' conducted flawlessly. Six AXBT's were deployed and one dropsonde, with all functioning perfectly. Only an imporper connection on the backup AXBT audio recorder was detected and corrected. Pattern duration still required slightly more than 1.5 hr, despite no wasted time in the pattern. During debrief after the flight, some ideas for revising the order of the flight legs were discussed, such as only flying in one direction at each level during step down, then reversing direction and stepping upward, time permitting.

Rain showers were located and rain areas penetrated. Two sonobuoys were deployed in the rain and sample acoustic spectra obtained. Droplet samples were obtained with the PDA laser system, which appeared to perform very well, except for some misalignment problem near the end of the flight. The laser was turned on only during data runs which dramatically reduced cabin heat, and apparently posed no problem for instrument functionality.

The BAT probe performed well also. BAT probe calibration maneuvers were performed flawlessly including the required yaw maneuvers. The LF radar experienced a problem near the end of the flight, which needs to be addressed. The tail radar appeared to work well.

Once again, the lack of cloud physics pylon compromised testing of the CIP and FSSP100. It is expected that the new pylon will be installed when 43RF returns from NAME. Should this new pylon sytem once again fail to meet flight specifications, the existing pylon on 43RF will be installed on 43RF in early September after 42 returns from the air chemistry experiment. If CBLAST needs to turn to this backup plan, only 3 weeks will remain for testing the system and obtaining hurricane sea spray data from the CIP and FSSP100 systems. This part of the project is the prime major deficit of the CBLAST project with the prospect of complete failure looming large at this point.

AOC flight directors and HRD LPS folks performed well. AOC flight directors were able to provide HRD LPS and CBLAST PI folks with CD's of flight data in fast tape mode (turbulence data) as well as flight level data in netCDF format.

All components of the test flight from rain shower penetration, to stepped descent pattern to BAT probe cal maneuvers were executed successfully as planned. I would like to congratulate AOC engineering staff for an amazing job of instrument preparation and excellent work in conjunction with CBLAST PIs and engineers. Also cudos to the AOC flight staff and flight directors for correcting problems on our first test flight and flying a flawless second test flight. Finding and correcting problems is why we have the tests. Congratulations are also due to HRD staff for their work on these flights at a time when many are facing proposal and other deadlines at the lab. Everyone's sense of dedication to these test flights showed once again why this will be a successful project despite the myriad difficulties we face this year to address flight safety issues with the salt aerosol, and having to work around two other projects scheduled for early in the hurricane season.

Pete Balck
HFP Director

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