May 27, 1995

Vortex NOAA Aircraft Mission #23

Flight ID:

950527I

Flight Track:


Click image for full resolution.

Flight Crew:

Chief Scientist: Watson/Ziegler         Flight Director:  Damiano
Doppler Radar:   Shepherd/              Pilots:           Tenneson/Kennedy
Cloud Physics:   ---                    Data Technician:  McMillan
Radiometer:      ---                    Systems Engineer: Barr
Observers:       Overpeck (REU)                       Navigator:        Strong
Observers:       Markowski(REU)

Takeoff Time: 2226 UTC                  Landing Time: 0158 UTC
Official Mission Duration: 3.7 hrs
Mission Breakdown VORTEX: 3.7 hrs       ARM: 0.0 hrs
Number of Data Tapes Used:  Radar: 2    Cloud Physics: 1        Video: 3

Data Systems Log
Radar Data System Log   Time On(UTC)    Time Off(UTC)   Comments
Tape #1                 2240                            Begin TA & LF
                                                        Replace
                                                        Transmitter/
                                                        Receiver on LF at
                                                        2316
                                                        Noisy LF display
                                        0144            Stop recording

Cloud Physics Log       Time On(UTC)    Time Off(UTC)   Comments
                        2245            0150

ETL Radiometer Log      Time On (UTC)   Time Off (UTC)  Comments
                        2215            0205

Summary:

"The CAPE robber strikes again!"

Surface and upper low situated along the Kansas/Nebraska border; dryline extended southward through eastern Kansas. Wind profiles and CAPE just marginal for supercells.
The Electra departed OKC shortly after 1900 UTC heading for the vicinity of ground teams in Kansas. We delayed for convective initiation to occur. Upon the suggestion of the FC, we scrambled and were airborne at 2226 UTC, heading for Emporia, Kansas, where the ground teams were located. Upon arrival, we found a weak N-S line some 60-80nm east of Emporia. We began stepped tranverse patterns at 500' AGL centered on Emporia, finding a gradual 30 degree windshift and 4 degree increase in dewpoint. The FC cancelled operations on our track westbound at 3000' AGL.
The AOC would have let us return to OKC to make an overweight landing, but we decided to survey convection developing ahead of the N-S convective line near Joplin, Missouri. We completed 3 Doppler legs finding little of interest. We returned to OKC at 0158 UTC, consuming 3.7 flight hours.

Irv Watson