Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL)
Research Aviation Facility (RAF)
RAF currently operates one aircraft, an C-130Q, in direct support of observational research studies of atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics, mesoscale meteorology, boundary-layer dynamics, air-sea interactions, oceanography and other fields within the atmospheric sciences. Our Electra aircraft has been retired. (See the NSF notification letter.) Procurement of a new aicraft (HIAPER) is underway.
HIAPER (High Performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental
Research)
| Endurance: | 10.0 h |
|---|---|
| Range: | 3,100 nmi (5,744 kM) @ 20,000 ft (6.1 kM) |
| Max Operating Altitude: | 26,000 ft (7.9 kM) |
| Max Payload: | 23,000 lb (10,400 kg) |
| 13,000 lb (5,900 kg) with full fuel |
| Endurance: | 8.5 hr |
|---|---|
| Range: | 2,400 nmi (4,425 kM) @ 20,000 ft (6.1 kM) |
| Max Operating Altitude: | 28,000 ft (8.6 kM) |
| Max Payload: | 19,276 lb (8,743 kg) |
| 7,200 lb (3,265 kg) with full fuel |
The RAF facilities are primarily allocated to the investigators of the National Science Foundation (NSF) but are available to other users on a non-interference, cost-reimbursement basis. (See RAF Bulletin No. 1.) Our scientific, engineering and technical staff can advise, assist or join the investigators in the use of airborne research equipment. Guidance in sampling and measurement can also be provided. Aviation and science staff will help project scientists with experimental design, as well as operational and flight planning.
There are major observational gaps located in the mid-ocean and southern-ocean regions. Fluxes of heat, momentum and moisture, as well as measurements of biogeochemical trace gas at the air/sea interface, are needed over a wide range of scales with techniques which include in-situ sampling and active and passive remote sensing.
The available RAF aircraft are marginal in their ability to reach and to deploy instrumentation payloads in these remote regions.