Disclaimer: This material is being kept online for historical purposes. Though accurate at the time of publication, it is no longer being updated. The page may contain broken links or outdated information, and parts may not function in current web browsers. Visit https://espo.nasa.gov for information about our current projects.
The DC-8, T-39 and ER-2 flew a coordinated mission over the CART site to profile optically thick cirrus, and to make coordinated measurements with the NOAA-14 satellite overpass at 1947 UTC. The DC-8 ascended in an up and down wind racetrack pattern before descending in slow spirals. The T-39 and DC-8 took turns sampling each others emissions and contrails. The ER-2 flew a racetrack pattern approximately ten degrees off the DC-8 orientation and in the opposite directions. During the NOAA-14 overpass the DC-8 created contrails while flying in circles with the ER-2 flying oriented in the principle plane of the sun.
ER-2 Flight: 96109
Date: April 27, 1996
Mission: Coordinated flight between ER-2, DC-8 and TC-39 over ARM CART site during time of NOAA-14 satellite satellite overpass.
Mission Objectives
T-39 and DC-8 coordinated flight patterns to sample contrails and exhaust. CART site overflown by ER-2, DC-8 and T-39 for combined ground-based uplooking and ER-2 based downlooking characterization of clouds.
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 1600 UTC with landing at 2135 UTC. ER-2 flew to ARM CART site and flew racetrack patterns oriented approximately 10 degrees off the DC-8 orientation and in the opposite direction. At 1916 UTC ER-2 changed orientation of racetrack to be in the principle plane of the sun for coordination with the satellite overpass.
Highlights
Approximately 20 passes over the ARM CART site including coincident data with NOAA-14 (ER-2 over CART site at 1946 UTC).
Instrument Status
Additional Pilot Notes: Solid overcast conditions over the ARM CART site until near the end of the mission when clouds began to break-up north of the site. At 1956 UTC ER-2 passed over a contrail but pilot wasn't sure if it was generated by the DC-8 or commercial aircraft. Pilot noted that from time to time cirrus overcast seemed to be casued by commerical acircraft. Pilot observed contrail remnents during mission.
DC-8 SUCCESS flight #209 [960207] (scientist: Brian Toon)
SUMMARY: This flight met its basic objectives. We did sample the T-39 contrail for a substantial period of time. Very small particles of ice were seen. There was some variation in the contail properties with our position in the contrail. We also did a successful profile of the clouds over the CART site. We did not make a persistent contrail in the satellite overpass period. Calibration of the instruments went fine.
DC-8 TEST-FLIGHT
OPERATIONS
FLIGHT PLAN:
Take off is planned for 16.00 UTC (11.00 am local time).
The plan is to proceed to as high an alititude as possible with the DC-8 following the T-39. We will then follow the T-39 on race tracks for about 1 hr. The goal is to sample its exhaust and its contrail as well as to test the lidar. Then we will spiral down at less than 1000 ft/ min over the CART site and begin profiling the clouds. At about 19.20 UTC we will make three circles over the CART site so that we have made a contrail for a NOAA satellite overpass (19.47 UTC). We will then make a square box centered over the CART site to calibrate the radiometers and MTP. Then we will again spiral over the CART site and make a final profile of the clouds. If wave clouds are present we may break off to find them either after the T-39 and first spiral, or just after the satellite overpass.
TAKEOFF/LANDING
The DC-8 left Salina at 16.08 UTC (11.08 am local time) and returned to Salina at 21.30 UTC
FLIGHT REPORT
We flew the planned pattern over the CART site.
METEOROLOGY-REPORT
FORECAST: Meteorology expected: We expect that the tropopause will be relatively high over the CART site. Cirrus should be present sporadically as bands of moisture move through. There may be mid-lower level clouds also present over the CART site. There may be wave clouds over New Mexico.
OBSERVATIONS: Cirrus clouds were present over the CART site. However, we not able to make persistent contrails, and did not observe many contrails from other aircraft. Middle level clouds moved away during the day leaving some low level fair weather cumulus and a high level thin cirrus toward the end of the flight.
INSTRUMENT STATUS
All of the instruments are functional, except the Lawson probe. We will fly the 2DC-probe, the cloud scope, the VIPS and the the MASP on the pylons.
T-39 Flight 09
TAKEOFF/LANDING:
The T-39 departed SLN at 1607UTC and returned at 1830UTC
FLIGHT REPORT:
The T-39 trailed the DC-8 and sampled its emissions at close distance enroute to the CART site. At 1642, the T-39 took the lead and flew a race track course around the CART site as the DC-8 sampled in trail.
METEOROLOGY-REPORT:
INSTRUMENT STATUS:
Weather Conditions from Site Operators Log
Altocumulus and thin cirrus mixture.
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.
This is likely a key observation day for the campaign. The CART site was visited by the ER-2, DC-8, and the T-39. In addition, the Egrett and Otter of the ARM UAV program also flew coordinated missions over the CART site. To top it off, both SUCCESS and UAV programs were able to coordinate missions during the NOAA-14 satellite overpass at 19:47.