ER-2 Flight: 96117

Date: May 15, 1996

Mission: thin cirrus over water background CA.

Mission Objectives

DC-8 sampling of optically thin cirrus over uniform water background. ER- 2 remote sensing above.

Flight Summary

ER- 2 and DC-8 coordinated mission over water off the coast of northern California and Oregon. ER-2 flight pattern was racetracks aligned in the solar plane. The DC-8 flew a racetrack aligned mostly with the wind vector at their flight altitude. The initial line was with the DC-8 in fairly thick cirrus. The aircraft then proceeded farther north to off the Oregon coast where there was some cirrus over open water. Comparison of ER-2 to DC-8 sampling in thin cirrus over water was obtained. The most successful time period was reported by the pilot to be at around 22.20. At 23.30 the ER-2 executed a wings level box pattern for RAMS calibration.

Highlights

Comparison of ER-2 to DC-8 sampling in thin cirrus over water

Instrument Status

• MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS): Operation OK.
• Cloud and Aerosol Lidar (CALS): Operation OK
• High-Resolution Interferometer Sounder (HIS): Not flown
• Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR): Operated; good data collected.
• Tilt Scan CCD Camera (TSCC): Operated throughout mission, good data obtained
• Radiation Measuring System (RAMS): Operation OK.
• RC-10 Camera: Not operated

Additional Pilot Notes: