Flight ID:
- 950504I
Flight Track:
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Chief Scientist: Westwater/Ziegler Flight Director: Damiano Doppler Radar: Shepherd/Lewis Pilot: Kennedy/Tenneson Cloud Physics: --- Data Technician: Lynch Radiometer: WestwaterSystems Engineer:McNamara/Sansouci Observer: Trokhimouski Takeoff Time: 1855 UTC Landing Time: 2239 UTC Official Mission Duration: 3.9 hrs Mission Breakdown: VORTEX (0) ARM(3.9) Number of Tapes: Radar: 0 Cloud Physics: 1 Video: 3Data Systems Log
High pressure and northerly winds characterized conditions at takeoff.
The plan was to visit the Purcell Boundary Facility (BF), executing two
orbits on this and subsequent visits, then visit Vici BF, then visit the
Lamont Central Facility (CF) and perform a coordinated P-3/CLASS
sounding, then visit the Hillsboro BF, then make a return visit to the
CF, then return to OKC.
The P-3 visited the Purcell and Vici BFs uneventfully and arrived at
the CF at 2012 UTC, commencing the sounding at 2018 UTC from 250 ft AGL.
Although there were no low clouds early in the flight, a few scattered
cumulus (Cu) were encountered beginning just west of the CF. The CLASS
sounding was released from the CF at 2028 UTC, and the balloon was
spotted once from the P-3. A comparison of selected pressure level data
from the CLASS and P-3 indicated good agreement within the dynamic range
of the P-3 sensors. Specifically, temperatures were within 0.2 deg C at
all levels. Dewpoint temperatures were within 0.1-0.5 deg C for air
temperature > 0 C (improved with increasing dewpoint), but at colder
temperatures the P-3 chilled mirror sensor appeared to bottom out around
-17 deg C while the radiosonde indicated dewpoints < -30 deg C. Wind
direction was essentially useless on the banking ascent, although wind
speeds were within 1-2 kts at all levels.
A multiple layer of low broken Cu topped by stratocumulus (Sc) was
encountered north of Wichita on the legs between the CF and the
Hillsboro BF, so a series of six (6) porpoise ascents/descents were
performed. The low Cu cloud base was around 885 mb, while the high Sc
cloud base and cloud tops were about 878 mb and 860 mb respectively.
Very good Gerber LW probe and radiometer data were obtained during these
porpoise patterns through the cloud deck.
Upon completing the last porpoise the P-3 visited the CF again, and
then returned to OKC at 2239 UTC. A total of 3.9 hours of flight time
were consumed, leaving 4.5 ARM flight hour
Conrad Ziegler