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The T-39 and ER-2 flew separate missions. The T-39 sampled the emissions of commercial airliners (B757 and B727) at cruise altitudes of approximately 35kft. The ER-2 observed cirrus and contrails over Kansas and made coordinated measurements with the NOAA-14 satellite overpass at 1958 UTC.
ER-2 Flight: 96108
Date: April 26, 1996
Mission: Coordinated flight between ER-2 and NOAA-14 satellite.
Mission Objectives
Observe cirrus and contrails during overpass of the NOAA-14 satellite to assist in the development of satellite remote sensing techniques.
Flight Summary
Take-off time was 1730 UTC with landing at 2100 UTC. ER-2 flew NW to altitude and returned to vicinity of Salina. Lee wave mission was cancelled. ER-2 mission was adjusted accordingly. Pilot was to visually locate and fly over contrails. ER-2 flew into the solar principle plane during the NOAA-14 satellite overpass.
Highlights
Obtained coincident data with NOAA-14.
Instrument Status
Additional Pilot Notes: During the 1831 to 1834 UTC leg the ER-2 overflew a fresh contrail (the commercial aircraft pilot could visually see the ER-2). Flew into the solar plane during the leg 38:00N 9610:W and 36:20N 98:10W (1956 and 2009 UTC). A good contrail was observed around 1847. During the leg between 1841 and 1855 UTC pilot observed 7 to 10 contrails. Also overflew a contrail on the 1952 to 1954 UTC leg. Contrails appeared to be below the cirrus.
T-39 Flight 08
TAKEOFF/LANDING:
The T-39 departed SLN at 1834UTC and returned at 2100UTC
FLIGHT REPORT:
The T-39 departed SLN and climbed to 35 kft and flew a loitering pattern beside a jetway emanating from Kansas City. ATC then vectored the aircraft to fly behind a B757 and later a B727.
METEOROLOGY-REPORT:
INSTRUMENT STATUS:
Weather Conditions from Site Operators Log
Key: O = operational, X = down or degraded
There are four staffed Boundary Facilities, each having Balloon Borne Sounding Systems (BBSS) and MicroWave Radiometers (MWR). During the IOP period, sondes are launched every three hours round the clock, starting at 5:30 GMT (12:30 CST). The sites are listed below. Times listed following a site indicate questionable data or failed sonde launches. Weather conditions are recorded in the Boundary Facilities Site Operator's Log.
There are numerous unstaffed Extended Facilities. The specific instrumentation at the extended facilities varies from site to site, but generally includes a flux station (either an Energy Balance Bowen Ration (EBBR) system or an Eddy Correlation (ECOR) system), a Solar and InfraRed Observing System (SIROS), and a Standard Meteorology Observing Station (SMOS). For the locations of the Extended Facilities, and their suite of instrumentation, see the table and map of the Extended CART site. The comments below indicate specific data streams with identified problems.
Good cirrus and contrails, but scattered low cumulus made ground-based remote sensing intermittent.