MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS)

Thin / sub-visual cirrus expected throughout the operating region. Southwest flow at lower levels expected to initiate convection over eastern part of the peninsula by mid afternoon. NE winds aloft expected to advect anvils to southwest.

After climbing to altitude, the ER-2 proceeded to waypoint A1 (24° 40´ N, 83° 20´ W) for WB-57 wingtip flight at 50 kft, along a northwest heading. The beginning of the coordination included several circular orbits by the ER-2 as the WB-57 maneuvered into position. Aircraft were in clear air and level, straight flight for approximately 15-18 minutes of flight.

The ER-2 then went to altitude heading to waypoint A2 (26° 00´ N, 83° 00´ W). The ER2 and WB-57 then began a series of east-west legs overflying both ground sites and extending out over the water (designated waypoints B (26° 04´ N, 82° 19´ W) and E (25° 31´ N, 79° 48´ W): same waypoints as flight on July 3). The aircraft attempted to stay coordinated by slight modification of leg lengths.

Redirection from NPOL placed the ER-2 off the peninsula for several legs, and eventually over cells developing in the Miami area. The expected wide spread convection did not occur.

AQUA Overpass @ 1910 (UTC); VZA = 48° (relative to ER-2 track)
TERRA Overpass @ 1629 (UTC); VZA = 20° (before ER-2 launch)

Western Site: PARSL, Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast Visitor's Center
Location: 25° 50.0´ N , 81° 23.´4 W (25.83°, -81.39°)

Eastern Site: Kendall-Tamiami Airport
Location: 25° 39.3´ N, 80° 25.9´ W (25.66°, -80.43°)

• CoSSIR: Failed at or near start.
• CPL: Operated; good data.
• CRS: Operated; good data.
• EDOP: Operated; good data.
• JLH: Operated; intermittent data gaps (~30% during wingtip flying).
• MAS: Operated; good data.
• MMS: Operated; good data.
• MTP: Operated; good data.
• RAMS: Operated; good data.
• SSFR: Operated; good data.
• Vaisala Dropsonde: 4 dropped; bad electrical card found after landing.
  
  

• Takeoff times (UTC): WB-57 (1805), Proteus (1730)
• WB-57: Wingtip coordination at 50 kft during ER-2 ascent. In situ sampling of thin / sub-visual cirrus along ER-2 track early in flight (east-west legs). ER2/WB-57 will attempt to stay coordinated during these legs to the extent possible. Anvil sampling later in flight limited to edges of cells that developed late in the Miami area.
• Proteus: Fly along ER-2/WB-57 east-west legs. Overflight of clear sky and western site during AQUA overpass. Fly along ER-2 legs as much as possible during redirected parts of mission, successfully stayed with ER-2 and WB-57 throughout most of the flight.
• Twin Otter: Underfly ER-2 during thin cirrus and anvil legs, concentrating on the western site and gulf region.