The Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) experiment was a NASA campaign aimed at gaining a better understanding of how tropical storms develop into major hurricanes. The field project was conducted between 15 August and 30 September 2010, during which time the NASA DC-8 aircraft completed 16 research flights over the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The DC-8 is equipped with a suite of instruments that includes an Airborne Vertical Atmospheric Profiling System (AVAPS), used for dropsonde deployment. For more information on GRIP, please visit: http://airbornescience.nsstc.nasa.gov/grip/