SUMMARY OF COAST FLIGHT 3
Date: Sun, 20 May 2001 12:32:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: JOHN M BANE
To: coast@OCE.ORST.EDU
Subject: COAST Flight Report- May 19
COAST Flight Number 3 was conducted on May 19, 2001. The flight had two
purposes: (1) to test our new airborne hyperspectral ocean color
radiometers, and (2) to fly a pattern that would measure the
near-surface air temperature structure over Big Box Line 2.
To test the color radiometers, we flew several straight-and-level lines
that were oriented E-W, about 20nm long, and centered over the R/V
Thompson. Lines were flown at altitudes of 160m, 300m and 600m. From
initial indications aboard the aircraft the radiometers were working
properly. The post-flight data processing for these instruments is such
that useful upper-ocean color data products will not be available within a
day or two of a flight. For all other aircraft-measured variables, we
should be able to have good, first-look data products soon after each
flight.
We then flew two cycles of a "sawtooth" pattern (climb from 60m altitude
to 800m altitude, descent to 60m, then again to 800m, then finally to 60m)
along Line 2 from near the coastline to just west of 125W. The return
along that same line was level at 160m. This was done to investigate the
near-surface air temperature over the water that was being affected by the
developing northerly winds. We saw a very weak atmospheric temperature
inversion, and almost no lateral temperature variation along the line
within the atmospheric boundary layer was observed. We also made two
vertical profiles while flying along the coast, measuring wind, air
temperature and humidity from 60m to 1,500m. (Disclaimer - These
descriptions are from looking at computer graphical displays while aboard
the aircraft, and closer inspection of post-flight data products will
provide more accurate conclusions, some of which may differ from
statements here.)
Data products will be available from
http://www.marine.unc.edu/cool/COAST
or they may be retrieved from the real-time results area. Both of these are buttons off of
the main COAST site.
We have tentatively scheduled our next flight for either Wednesday May 23
or Thursday May 24 over the Big Box, with AXBTs being deployed along Lines
2, 4, 6 and 8.
Submitted by:
John Bane
May 20, 2001
