2019-07-08

To comply with Tech Brief Action Items, please provide science team the following notifications:

  • For those participating in DC-8 flights with SARP students aboard, please be advised that some participants have potential allergic reactions to peanut and other tree nuts.  Bringing peanuts or tree nuts onto the flight is prohibited.
  • On smoke sampling flights, please be advised some particulate smoke material may get into the DC-8 cabin and could precipitate an asthma attack in an asthmatic.  Normally, the exposure is no more than being around a campfire for few hours.  If you use an inhaler for lung issues, recommend you discuss with your personal doctor.   If your medical provider approves of your participation, the AFRC Medical Officer recommends getting and bringing an inhaler spacer onboard. An inhaler spacer will make the inhaler work much more effectively.  If anyone experience discomfort due to smoke exposure during a flight, notify a crewmember immediately.  

 
Thanks,
Chuck Irving

2019-07-03

Dear FIREX Team,
 
The schedule distributed on Monday has been further updated and is attached. The news is good. We now have access on 12-13 July. Now is the time to proceed with your travel plans. Please note the following:

  • Everything remains contingent on completing the O2 system repair, but things are looking very positive.
  • On 12-13 July we will only have access to the DC-8 on the ramp (with power and air conditioning) with no access to the hangar or labs. If you need any equipment for work on those days, you need to arrange to move it outside the hangar beforehand. A staging area just inside the east end of the hangar will be set up on 11 July for equipment, and restrooms will be available in trailers on the north side of the hangar.
  • For access on 12-13 July, names must be provided to Chuck Irving by noon on 11 July. Indicate your travel plans in the data base.
  • For access on 12-13 July, you must be badged by COB on 11 July. Access will only be via the Visitor Control Center for those already badged.
  • All Foreign Nationals must be properly escorted…let’s ensure we have proper coverage.
  • Lab access on Sunday 14 July depends on completion of the planned electrical work, and we will only get an update about this possibility late on the 13th. We plan to use WhatsApp to quickly communicate to those who plan to be in Palmdale, as in past recent missions. Please load this app on your smart phone or let me know you can’t. Here is the link to self-subscribe: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFxd1Vt7LJxFTtATOMctC8

 

2019-07-01

Dear FIREX Team,
 
The promised update to the DC8 schedule is attached. It provides the most complete information we have at this time. Please note the following:

  1. 1. Everything remains contingent on completing the O2 system repair.
  2. 2. Please wait and DO NOT book airfare for Palmdale until you hear from us on 3 July regarding the decision on potential access on 12-13 July. We will also be able to verify that O2 parts have been received by that time.
  3. 3. If traveling under SSAI, please disregard instructions to use refundable/changeable fares for Palmdale travel and accept the flights provided by SSAI.
  4. 4. Lab access on Sunday 14 July depends on completion of the planned electrical work, and we will only get an update about this possibility late on the 13th. We plan to use WhatsApp to quickly communicate to those who plan to be in Palmdale, as in past recent missions. Please load this app on your smartphone or let me know you can’t. Here is the link to self-subscribe: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFxd1Vt7LJxFTtATOMctC8
  5. 5. On 12-13 July we might get access to the DC-8 on the ramp, but we will have no access to the hangar or labs. If you need any equipment for work on those days, you need to arrange to move it outside the hangar beforehand.

FIREX-AQ Calendar as of 1 July 2019
 

2019-06-27

Dear FIREX Team,
I have an update about DC8 schedule/access in Palmdale.

  1. The latest schedule is attached. Although it shows DC-8 access 8-10 July, this time may not be available due to delays in the O2 system repair.
  2. It is critically important for all instrument teams that need DC-8 access on 8-10 July to update your travel plans in the ESPO data base so we know how many scientists need access to the aircraft in that window.
  3. DO NOT book airfare for Palmdale until you hear from us at the end of this week. We should know more about the outlook for O2 system work at that time.
  4. When the time comes, use refundable/changeable fares for Palmdale travel. Things could change.
  5. There may be some DC-8 access on Sunday 14 July. This depends on completion of the planned electrical work, and we will only get an update about this possibility late on the 13th. We plan to use WhatsApp to quickly communicate to those who plan to be in Palmdale, as in past recent missions. Please load this app on your smart phone or let me know you can’t. Here is the link to self-subscribe:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFxd1Vt7LJxFTtATOMctC8

  1. 15 July could be a busy day at the Visitor Control Center (VCC, the trailer) as many teams will arrive at the facility. However, there may be a way to make that morning more workable for those with NASA PIV badges. The Bldg 703 card reader now requires a PIN in addition to your holding the badge close to the reader. We are told that this PIN is universal across Centers. This means if you have a PIN for a building at your home Center, the same PIN works at Bldg 703 – no need to stop at the VCC. It also means, for those of you at NASA Centers who do not currently use a PIN reader, you can program your Bldg 703 PIN at your home Center. Please inquire with your NASA badging office; this should save you time when you arrive. 

Contact me with questions if any of this is unclear. Thanks for your patience
Bernie
 

2019-06-21

Friday, 6/21, Accomplishments
                PTR-MS and CIT-CIMS continued to refine their installations
 
No weekend A/C access (except CIT-CIMS servicing)
 
We will provide updated schedule information when it becomes available. Crew is waiting for O2 parts receipt and cleaning.
 
The Land’s End logo is ready. See: https://business.landsend.com/store/firex

2019-06-20

Thursday, 6/20, Accomplishments:

  1. CIT-CIMS, DACOM, Data, PTR-MS performed instrument checks or maintenance
  2. Crew finalized wiring on LARGE 

Friday, 6/21, Plans:
0600 – 1630 A/C access
 
No weekend access (except CIT-CIMS servicing)
 
Jim’s email yesterday still provides the latest schedule information. We will provide an update when there is new information.

2019-06-19

Wednesday, 6/19, Accomplishments:

  • CIT-CIMS performed maintenance
  • DACOM, PTR-MS and TOGA performed instrument checks and maintenance
  • DC-8 and Life Support continued modifications to the O2 system

Thursday, 6/20, Plans:
0600 Access, with possible concurrent O2 system work
1730 Access ends
 
Longer Term Outlook: See Jim Crawford’s email, today, for a July schedule through transit.
 
Please contact your Palmdale hotel ASAP and change your reservations as necessary.
 
SARP would like updated RSVPs to their bbq, given the change in schedule. Many of you will not be here to attend. See this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12505glGZTyouhuRK50jY2d_PTmJTxooi1Dh-Z5YRHhY/edit#gid=0
 
We are modifying the Land’s End link to incorporate the latest logo, so please do not order yet. We’ll send another email.
 

2019-06-19

FIREX-AQ Investigators,
 
Given the situation, we will continue to provide updates as information comes available. This message is to build upon the nominal schedule that we communicated to you on Monday. The information in that earlier message is still valid, but here we offer more detail on what to expect. This tentative schedule is also shown graphically in the attachment.
 
1 – As repairs to the oxygen system continue, we don’t anticipate any reasonable chance of aircraft access until 8-10 July, but if things go very well, the repairs and shakedown/proficiency flights could be completed before the 4th of July Holiday. If you absolutely need access for 5-6 July  (if these dates became available), please let us know ASAP, but we discourage you to make the request unless absolutely needed.
 
2 – Our best guess for when we can expect aircraft access without interruption continues to be 8-10 July. Unfortunately, the loss of access from 11-14 July is not negotiable. If the work taking place in the hangar over the weekend goes faster than expected, allowing power to be restored before Sunday evening, we are requesting access to the DC-8 on Sunday afternoon (14 July). Sunday access is a long shot and would only be known after the weekend work is completed, so please do not formulate a plan for your team that requires this access. This is just a potential bonus that would help us in preparing for a busy flight schedule during the week of 15 July.
 
3- The flight schedule for 15-18 July will be fast paced, but we are taking some steps to maximize your ability to prepare. On Monday 15 July, we will have a test flight in the afternoon allowing for us to provide a liberal pre-flight period lasting throughout the morning. For those who have not had egress training, it will take 30-45 minutes of your time on Monday morning. SARP flights will follow on 16-17 June. Seating priority on the first SARP flight will be given to the few instrument teams without a seat on the first test flight. Since the three SARP flights are short duration, you can also expect a half day of DC-8 access on one of those two days. On Thursday, 18 July, we will fly our second test flight in the afternoon following another liberal pre-flight period in the morning.
 
4 – Expect aircraft access on 19-20 July with a hard down day on Sunday 21 July before the transit to Boise on 22 July. Don’t forget that we will have to pack for Boise on Friday and also will conduct the AdvanceGEO training on workplace climate.
 
As we consider our travel schedules, please go ahead with making new hotel reservations. Bernie Luna has prepared the local hotels regarding these new dates. You are still, however, responsible for cancelling and rebooking your reservations. It is also important for you to update your travel dates on the ESPO database using the login at the top of the ESPO webpage for FIREX-AQ. As far as flights go, you should continue to wait before making new reservations (especially those supported by SSAI).
 
We should have another significant update by the middle of next week as parts for the oxygen system will have arrived, and we will have a clearer picture of when the work may be completed.
 
Please send your feedback and comments as soon as possible.
 
FIREX-AQ Leadership

2019-06-18

Tuesday, 6/18, Accomplishments:

  • All parts required for repairing passenger oxygen system are on order; most are in shipping status.  No change in long lead item delivery dates (5-7 days). Final install and check out expected late next week.
  • Crew and Life Support completed check out of passenger system distribution manifold, and identified and fixed leaks.
  • TOGA and crew completed the rack adjustment.
  • LARGE, MMS, Master, DACOM, PTR-MS, Mini DOAS, DIAL and CIT-CIMS completed instrument checks and maintenance
  • Discussions about OPALS integration engineering
  • Improving our work climate and preventing harassment training - ~25 persons
  • Press interactions

Wednesday, 6/19, Plans:

  • 06:00 Science Access
  • 1300 lab meeting
  • 17:30 access ends 

Egress training for Wednesday has been canceled. There will be opportunities to do this next month.
See Jim Crawford’s email (yesterday, Monday 17:03) for the longer term outlook.

2019-06-17

Monday, 6/17, Accomplishments:

  • Plane outside; DIAL calibrated
  • LARGE, DACOM, LGR, PTR-MS, Master, CIT-CIMS, CAFS, MMS, Data performed instrument checks, plumbing, maintenance
  • SARP started. Schedule at:   shorturl.at/ptJZ8
  • Barry Lefer and Jack Kaye visited 

Tuesday, 6/18, Plans:

  • 0600 O2 system work
  • 1000 A/C science access
  • 1400 Workplace Climate Training room 211
  • 1830 Science access ends 

Outlook:
There will be another occurrence of Workplace Climate Training in July (details tbd).
Wednesday, Egress training 1:30pm in room N132 (in 703).
Thursday and forward: O2 work gets priority, instrument access intermittent and unpredictable
 
See Jim Crawford’s email (today 17:03) for the longer term outlook.
 
We will use WhatsApp to communicate to the science team members in Palmdale. If you are here or will be soon, and don’t have the software on your phone, please install it and contact Katie Stern at 650 440 8749.  
 
Sign your tip over sheets.

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