Subject:   WB-57F C-F update_020703                          Time: 7:44 PM
                                                               Date:7/3/02
Update as of 7:45p EDT 020703


1.  Today's first flight of the CRYSTAL-FACE mission went well.  The goal was to
characterize Florida deep-convection anvil systems with particular emphasis on vertical 
structures near CRYSTAL-FACE ground sites, and to validate ER-2 remote-sensing instruments 
and Aqua satellite instruments.  The aircraft successfully sampled a number of altitude 
levels in the area between the two ground sites, executed a spiral descent from 50 kft to 41 
kft over a cumulus anvil, and then did a stratospheric sampling up to 60 kft.  There were a 
number of instrument problems but, overall, it was an excellent start to the mission.


2.  The aircraft left Key West at 12:05p EDT, and returned at approximately 5:40p EDT.


3.  There will be aircraft access tomorrow (Thursday, 4 July) from 8a to 11a EDT.


4.  The next flight opportunity is Saturday, 6 July.


5.  There will be a WB-57F all-hands meeting on Friday, 5 July, at 1p EDT.  There also will 
be a CRYSTAL-FACE briefing/science meeting on Friday at 10a EDT.


6.  Our thanks go to the WB-57F crew and operations personnel for doing an outstanding job 
today.  They were a key contributor to our success.  We also would like to congratulate 
Brian Barnett, who completed his first high-altitude flight today.  Yay and hooray!!