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Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR)

Code 613.2

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Data: INTEX-B 2006

5 March 2006 (Flight #1906)

CAR QuickLook Imagery

Overview

This was the second J31 flight out of Veracruz airport. Preflight goals focused on getting AOD profiles and transects, SSFR fluxes, CAR circles, and RSP legs in cloud-free conditions over the Gulf in association with Terra overpass.

Engines on: 1530 UT
Engines off: 1800 UT

Takeoff: 1555 UT
Land: 1754 UT

16:33 - UT Terra overpass

Cabin crew: Billings, Cairns, Gatebe, Redemann (flight scientist), Schmidt.

Pilot Summary

Flew different from plan to avoid clouds. (See flight track in Fig. 1.) No ATC problem with change. Airplane worked fine.

Discussion of Flight

Flight Scientist: Really good flight. Communication in cabin very good. Communication with pilot passed to CAR scientist for CAR maneuvers. Offered to RSP, declined.

AOD small, ~0.14 max. Gradient 0.05. Ocean surface dark & calm.

5 CAR turns took 15 min.

RSP legs worked well.

Instrument Performance Summary

AATS: Worked fine. Tracked well. No evident temperature changes. Window clean at end of flight.

CAR: Worked well, beginning to end. Got BRDF over ocean, clouds to one side. Good communication w pilots. Orbits were just as wanted.

POS: Thumbs up. Heading on 200’ leg jumped by ~5-10 deg—needs to be checked.

NavMet: Looked good—no problems. See data in Fig. 2.

RSP: Worked fine except SWIR detectors (no LN cooling). Need to rewrite instructions on activating cover.

SSFR: OK. Took dark readings during spiral down & on transits out & in.

Flight Path, Timing, and Measurements (all times UT [VER local +6])

1557: 10, 500’, transit to WP off VER

1611: 10,500’, spiral down to 200’, adjusting spiral to avoid wispy cloud

1622: 200’, low-level leg, 39 deg heading

1626: POS heading seemed to change to 29 deg during low level run without pilots changing direction. Need to check POS file.

1630: 200’, AOD low ~0.1

1634: AOD gradient 0.08 to 0.13. Ocean dark & calm.

1642: drop in AOD

1644: Ascend to 2,000’ for CAR maneuvers.

1647: 2,000’, start CAR circles @2,000’, 20 deg bank. AOD ~0.05

1704: 6,000’, Ascend to 6,000’ for RSP legs.

1708: 8,000’, Ascend to 8,000’.

1710: 8,000’, RSP leg, principal plane, 5 min, maneuver to intersect 1st leg perpendicular.

1728: 8,000’, end of RSP leg 2

1729: 9,500’, RTB