DIAMET IOP Sept, Nov-Dec 2011
Summary of DIAMET flights so far ……
2 test flights (from Cranfield)
14 science flights (not all separate Flight Numbers)
2 refuel and transit back flights
2 transit flights (to/from Exeter)
September 2011
B646 test flight (Cranfield)
B647 DIAMET 1 (single)
B648 DIAMET 2 (double)
B650 DIAMET 3 (double)
Date
15th Sept (over sea in cloud/clear air SW approaches)
16th Sept (Convective band ahead of U/L PV max. DS leg across the PV + insitu 4 legs)
20th Sept (Waves along trailing front over SW /Cornwall; a) DS, b) 5 mphys legs across band)
23rd Sept (WCB over 2ry WF trailing west of Ireland; a) DS + mphys, b) Insitu WCB + flux runs)
November-December 2011
Date
B651 test flight (Cranfield)
22nd Nov (over N sea in warm SC cloud, colder ice cloud and clear air)
B652 DIAMET 4 (single)
26th Nov (Flux flight SW of Hebrides (winds a@ 150' ~20 m/s)
B653 EXMIX (N Sea – fluxes?)
27th Nov (over North sea at low level (poss good DIAMET fluxes))
B654 DIAMET 5 (single)
28th Nov (DS flight across double front out to 20 W)
B655 DIAMET 5 (double)
29th Nov a) (DS + insitu across CF (between land's End/Ireland); b) insitu along CFARR radial)
B656 DIAMET 6 (single + refuel Inv + transit)
1st Dec (across bent-back WF nr Shetland + fluxes in high winds
B657 DIAMET 7 (single + refuel [aborted double])
5th Dec (insitu in convection W of Scotland (no polar low dev’d))
B658 DIAMET 8 (double)
8th Dec (Strong windstorm over Scotland)
B659 EXMIX – MARVEL & B660 EXMIX
10th Dec (B660 -Turbulence probe Cal mphys probe i/c)
B661EXMIX (Wardon Hill +)
11th Dec (poss interest but CFARR not setup + sparse cloud)
B662 DIAMET 9 (single – double with EXMIX B663)
12th Dec (WF app from the west. DS + Flt legs along 51°18’N)
B663 EXMIX (DIAMET 9)
12th Dec (DS over B Channel, insitu legs Wardon Hill – CFARR)
DIAMET IOP Sept, Nov-Dec 2011
B646 (test) - 15th Sept
B647 (single) – 16th Sept
B648 (double) – 20th Sept
B650 (double) – 23rd Sept
B651 (test) – 22nd Nov
B652 (single) - 26th Nov
B654 (single) – 28th Nov
B655 (double) – 29th Nov
B656 (single + refuel) – 1st Dec
B657 (double > single) – 5th Dec
B658 (double) – 8th Dec
B662 (single) – 12th Dec
B663 (EXMIX) – 12th Dec
B647 Sept 16th (single)
B648 Sept 20th (double)
B650 Sept 23rd (double)
B651 Nov 22nd (test flight)
B652 Nov 26th (single)
B654 Nov 28th (single)
B655 Nov 29th (double)
B654 and B655 Nov 28th & Nov 29th
B656 Dec 1st (refuel)
B657 Dec 5th (double > single + refuel)
B658 Dec 8th (double)
B662 Dec 12th (single + EXMIX)
B663 Dec 12th (EXMIX)
B662 & B663 Dec 12th (DIAMET + EXMIX)
DIAMET IOP Sept, Nov-Dec 2011
B646 (test) - 15th Sept
B647 (single) – 16th Sept
B648 (double) – 20th Sept
B650 (double) – 23rd Sept
B651 (test) – 22nd Nov
B652 (single) - 26th Nov
B654 (single) – 28th Nov
B655 (double) – 29th Nov
B656 (single + refuel) – 1st Dec
B657 (double > single) – 5th Dec
B658 (double) – 8th Dec
B662 (single) – 12th Dec
B663 (EXMIX) – 12th Dec
Summary of DIAMET flights so far ……
2 test flights (from Cranfield
14 science flights (not all separate Flt Nos)
2 refuel and transit back flights
2 transit flights (to/from Exeter)
September 2011
B646 test flight (Cranfield)
B647 DIAMET 1 (single)
B648 DIAMET 2 (double)
B650 DIAMET 3 (double)
Date
15th Sept (over sea in cloud/clear air SW approaches)
16th Sept (Convective band ahead of U/L PV max. DS leg across the PV + insitu 4 legs)
20th Sept (Waves along trailing front over SW /Cornwall; a) DS, b) 5 mphys legs across band)
23rd Sept (WCB over 2ry WF trailing west of Ireland; a) DS + mphys, b) Insitu WCB + flux runs)
November-December 2011
Date
B651 test flight (Cranfield)
22nd Nov (over N sea in warm SC cloud, colder ice cloud and clear air)
B652 DIAMET 4 (single)
26th Nov (Flux flight SW of Hebrides (winds a@ 150' ~20 m/s)
B653 EXMIX (N Sea – fluxes?)
27th Nov (over North sea at low level (poss good DIAMET fluxes))
B654 DIAMET 5 (single)
28th Nov (DS flight across double front out to 20 W)
B655 DIAMET 5 (double)
29th Nov a) (DS + insitu across CF (between land's End/Ireland); b) insitu along CFARR radial)
B656 DIAMET 6 (single + refuel Inv + transit)
1st Dec (across bent-back WF nr Shetland + fluxes in high winds
B657 DIAMET 7 (single + refuel [aborted double])
5th Dec (insitu in convection W of Scotland (no polar low dev’d))
B658 DIAMET 8 (double)
8th Dec (Strong windstorm over Scotland)
B659 EXMIX – MARVEL & B660 EXMIX
10th Dec (B660 -Turbulence probe Cal mphys probe i/c)
B661EXMIX (Wardon Hill +)
11th Dec (poss interest but CFARR not setup + sparse cloud)
B662 DIAMET 9 (single – double with EXMIX B663)
12th Dec (WF app from the west. DS + Flt legs along 51°18’N)
B663 EXMIX (DIAMET 9)
12th Dec (DS over B Channel, insitu legs Wardon Hill – CFARR)
Future DIAMET IOP periods
So far we have flown 68.1 hours (100) (dropped 119 drop sondes, launched 34 Met Office sondes)
Spring: (3 week window)
Mon 30th April – Fri 18th May (no weekends, not bank holiday Mon 7th May)
- based at Cranfield or RAF Benson?
- 20 extra NCAS hours to fly in conjunction with Falcon
- Falcon not available May (available for HYMEX in October
but 146 C-check starts Fri 5th; Q) what about Mon 1st - Thurs 4thOct ?)
Summer: (6 week window)
- shared with MAMM (current IOP is 13th-16th), ClearfLo, Olympics (27th - 10th) Volcano urgency
Remaining:
- hours
- sondes
Q) Based on what we have achieved so far, what are our priorities for:
a) May,
b) Summer
• In order to decide what we want to prioritise (and when) requires the answer to a series of questions:
DIAMET Questions
1. Where will the campaign(s) be held? Cranfield or Benson? Do we get to choose?
2. Benson may be potentially a better base to use, but does it have:
a) More flexible operating window ? (maybe yes 06:30-23:00 G2 to Doug)
b) does it have office space for ops room/mission planning?
c) Fast internet access?
d) Good access to aircraft pre/post flight inc. external access for
instrumentation cals/cleaning etc.?
e) Additional costs (e.g. for FAAM/DFL/Avalon operating away from Cranfield)
(NB. We have an established model of operations now which we don't want to
change too radically)
3. What instrumentation will be on the aircraft in these periods?
4. Can be have the same priority fit we chose for Nov-Dec 2011 period?
5. Will staff be available to run kit e.g. FGGA (if available/fitted)?
6. Did any critical issues/failures arise in the Met Office PIKNMIX in Jan-Feb 2012?
7. How do we ensure that the key instruments work in these campaigns? Will we have:
a) A properly installed Nevzorov probe (liquid & Total condensed water) and if
so will data be available during and/or post flight?
b) AIMMS fitted and tested (3.5 weeks scheduled pre, 4 weeks post - MEVALI
for instrument maintenance/role change)?
c) Others….?
8. How many pilots will be available in May? (Good with 3 in Exeter, but 2 restricts: planning
next day flight with flight ongoing; flexibility of flights/hours etc)
9. FALCON only available in October for HYMEX (busy in May) – will 146 be available 1st - 4thOct?
Answer to this affects what (and how much) we do in May (e.g. October a higher priority )