EOL Facility Request Form – NSF/NCAR C-130
NSF/NCAR C-130 and Airborne Instrumentation
Contact:
Dr. Pavel Romashkin / pavel@ucar.edu/ (303) 497-1027 (Requests & schedules)
Dr. Jorgen Jensen / jbj@ucar.edu / (303 497-1028 (NCAR/EOL instrumentation)
Dr. John Orlando / orlando@ucar.edu / (303) 497-1486 (NCAR/ACOM instrumentation)
URL : www.eol.ucar.edu/observing_facilities/c-130
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Preferred base of operations
Alternate base of operations
Preferred flight period
Total number of research flight hours requested
Total number of flights requested
Estimated duration of each flight
Total number of flights per week
Particular part(s) of day for flights
Do you plan to fly night missions? (i.e., landing after
midnight or work before 5 AM local time)
Average flight radius from base
Desired flight altitudes(s)
Will there be operations in foreign or military airspace?
Number of scientific observers on each flight (max is 15)
Will you require satellite communications above base
level?
DESCRIPTION OF DESIRED FLIGHT PATTERN(S), PRIORITIES, AND ESTIMATE NUMBER OF
FLIGHTS
Please include graphics and flight pattern images as needed
Updated November 2013
PI - Project - Facility
Airborne Instrumentation:
Each research payload is unique and will typically consist of some combination of EOL, ACOM and
user-supplied instrumentation. The tables in this document list available airborne sensors and
measurements. Please note that different instruments require differing levels of support.
Instrumentation is therefore separated into four categories:
1) Standard Instrumentation, i.e., provided on all projects
2) Instrumentation by Request, i.e., instrumentation that can be added to the research payload
without added expense or staff in the field, and standard data processing with output is included
in the primary dataset.
3) Instrumentation by Special Request, i.e., the addition of one or more of these systems will
require added expense for expendables and additional support crew for a field deployment.
Special data processing will be required by science staff or outside participants.
4) Instrumentation under Development, i.e., instruments that are currently under development or
being modified. Adding these systems to a payload will add expenses for expendables,
additional support crew and special data processing carried out by science staff or outside
participants.
Inclusion of any “Instrumentation by Special Request” systems will have to be coordinated via
discussions with RAF, ACOM and the science support teams assigned to those systems. Please direct all
questions related to RAF instrumentation to Dr. Jorgen Jensen, and chemistry measurements to Dr. John
Orlando.
Inclusion of any “Instrumentation Under Development” will depend upon the timing of your
deployment and the projected status of the system in question.
For a more detailed description of the airborne instrumentation, see www.eol.ucar.edu/aircraftinstrumentation.
Payload Limitations:
The number of requested instruments routinely exceeds the available space on the aircraft. We
therefore ask PIs to indicate the priority of each measurement in addressing their research goals. The
rating to be used is as follows:
1) R for required
2) D for desired
3) left blank if not needed
Wing Store Configurations:
Basic information on possible wing store configurations, rack space requirements and operator status is
included in the tables. There are a total of 10 wing pod canister positions.
On the GV, there are three basic wing store configuration options:
 Configuration 1: 6 pylons (12 canisters)
 Configuration 2: 2 pylons (4 canisters)
 Configuration 3: 6 pylons (8 canisters and 2 large pods)
Update 15 November 2015
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User-supplied Instrumentation:
Detailed information on specific systems and platform infrastructure related to mounting user-supplied
equipment can be found in the C-130 and GV Handbooks, available on the EOL web site
(www.eol.ucar.edu/about/our-organization/raf). All user-supplied equipment must meet RAF safety and
design specifications. Refer to RAF Bulletin No. 3, No. 13 (http://www.eol.ucar.edu/raf/Bulletins/)
Base-level Satcom Support:
All projects will receive a base level of SATCOM support, which will include “Chat” (IRC), a simple
data feed to the ground of approximately 100 variables and an approximately 50 Kb image transfer once
every 3-4 minutes. Additional services can be arranged through CDS. If you desire more frequent
image delivery to the aircraft or from the aircraft, access to satellite product web pages and field catalog
graphics from the aircraft or instrument control from the ground please contact us early to discuss
requirements and allow for scheduling.
Update 15 November 2015
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EOL Facility Request Form – NSF/NCAR C-130
C-130 STANDARD INSTRUMENTATION
Description
Maximum Data Rate
Location
Sensor Quantity
Static Pressure
25 sps
Fuselage
2
Dynamic Pressure
25 sps
C130: Fuselage and radome
3
Cabin Pressure
1 sps
Electronics bay
1
Ambient Temperature
1 sps
Fuselage
2
Cabin Temperature
1 sps
Electronics bay
1
Chilled Mirror Dew Point Temperature
1 sps
Fuselage
2
1-50 sps
Electronics bay
2
Aircraft Position and Ground Relative Speeds (GPS)
1 sps
Fuselage
2
GPS w/ Omnistar XP or TerraStar D accuracy
10 sps
Cabin overhead rack
1
3 - Dimensional Wind Fields
25 sps
Radome
1 set
CN Concentration – Butanol
25 sps
Std. aperture
1
Icing Rate (presence of supercooled cloud water)
1 sps
Wing hard point
1
King Probe Cloud Liquid Water Content
25 sps
Wing hard point
1/2
Remote (infrared) Surface Temperature
1 sps
Belly aperture
2
Forward Digital Video
1 fps
Cockpit
1
SATCOM
N/A
ADS rack
XCHAT
N/A
ADS rack
Variable
ADS rack
Aircraft Position, Altitude, Ground Relative Speeds, Accelerations
and Attitude Angles (IRU)
Real Time Data Transfer to Ground
Updated November 2013
PI - Project - Facility
C-130 INSTRUMENTATION BY REQUEST
Description
RAF INSTRUMENTATION:
Fast Ambient Temperature
Remote (infrared) Sky Temperature
UV Hygrometer
PCASP Aerosol Probe (0.1 – 3 um range)
UHSAS Aerosol Probe (0.06 – 1 um)
CDP Cloud Droplet Probe (2 – 47 um range)
FSSP Cloud Probe (2 - 47 um range)
OAP 2D Cloud Probe (25 um resolution, 64 bins)
OAP 2D Precipitation Probe (150 um resolution, 56 bins)
PVM-100 Cloud Liquid Water Content and Droplet Effective Radius
SDI Aerosol Inlet System
SMAI Aerosol Inlet
HIMIL Aerosol and Trace Gas Inlet (unheated)
HIMIL Aerosol and Trace Gas Inlet (anti-iced)
HIMIL Aerosol and Trace Gas Inlet (heated sampling line, all PFA or
SS)
HIMIL Fin Aft-Facing Aerosol and Trace Gas Inlet
Digital Video – side and/or down views
ACOM INSTRUMENTATION:
TECO Ozone (slow)
Update 15 November 2015
Inlet or
Maximum Data
Rate
Location
Rack
Space
25 sps
1 sps
25 sps
10 sps
10 sps
10 sps
10 sps
Async.
Async.
25 sps
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Fuselage
Special aperture
Std aperture
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Std aperture
Std aperture
Std aperture
Std aperture
0
0
1/8
0
1/4
0
0
0
0
0
1/2
0
0
1/8
N/A
N/A
1 fps
Std aperture
Std aperture
Std window
1/8
0
0
0.1 sps
Partial std aperture
1/4
Priority:
R, D, or
blank
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PI - Project - Facility
C-130 INSTRUMENTATION BY SPECIAL REQUEST
Inlet or
Maximum Data
Rate
Description
RAF INSTRUMENTATION:
Radiometric Air Temperature
T of F Aerosol Mass Spectrometer
3V-CPI Cloud Particle Imager
Medusa Flask Sampler
AO2 Airborne Oxygen Analyzer
CVI Counterflow Virtual Impactor (with UHSAS aerosol
spectrometer, CN counter, water vapor TDL and filter sampler)
Mission Coordinator Station
AWAS Airborne Whole Air Sampler
QCLS Quantum Cascade Laser Spectrometer
(CO2, CO, CH4 and N2O)
CIMS Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer
(SO2, HNO3, HNO4, HNO2 and others)
ACOM INSTRUMENTATION:
SMPS Scanning Mobility Particle Spectrometer (0.01 – 0.5 um
range)
Fast Ozone
CO Carbon Monoxide
Picarro CO2 and CH4
NO and NO2
TOGA Total Organic Gas Analyzer
(C2-C10 organic range)
HARP Radiometer Package (actinic flux only)
Update 15 November 2015
Location
Rack
Space
Number of
Operators
1 sps
SMAI,
0.017 sps
Special
Simple
HIMIL
Fin inlet
Wing pod
0
0
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
1/2
1
1
0
1
1
Cabin w/ aperture
1
0.5
0.17 sps
N/A
Async.
Cabin & 2 apertures
Cabin
Wing pod canister
1
1/2
1
1
0 or 1
1
Simple
Cabin w/ aperture
1/2
0
Special
Cabin w/ aperture
1
0
HIMIL,
0.017 sps
HIMIL
Simple
Simple
HIMIL
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
1/2
1
1
1/2
1
0
0
0
0
0
Special
Special
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/ aperture
1
1
1
0
Priority:
R, D, or
blank
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PI - Project - Facility
C-130 INSTRUMENTATION UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Description
Cryogenic Chilled Mirror Dew Point Temperature,
incl. In-Flight Calibration
VCSEL hygrometer
LAMS Laser Air Motion Sensor (3D and 4D)
Radar Altitude (Above Ground Level)
CN Concentration – water
UHSAS Aerosol Probe (0.06 – 1 um)
FSSP 300 Aerosol Probe (0.3 – 20 um range) [End-of-life]
GNI Giant Aerosol Impactor (sea-salt, 2 – 30 um range)
OAP 2D Cloud Probe (10 um resolution, 64 bins)
HOLODEC-II Cloud Particle Imager
SID-2H Small Ice Detector
Photometric Ozone Analyzer
Broad Band Radiometers, up/down (visible and infrared,
stabilized)
Update 15 November 2015
Inlet or
Maximum
Data Rate
Simple,
1 sps
Rack
Space
Number of
Operators
1/2
0
25 sps
50 sps
1 sps
25 sps
10 sps
10 sps
Special
Async.
3 sps
Async.
Simple
Cabin w/ aperture
Cabin w/aperture or
large pod
Wing pod canister
Electronics bay
Partial std aperture
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Cabin aperture
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Wing pod canister
Cabin w/ aperture
0
1/2
0
1/4
1/4
0
1/8
0
1/4
1/4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 sps
Special aperture
0
Location
Priority:
R, D, or
blank
1
0
1
0
0
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USER-SUPPLIED SCIENTIFIC PAYLOAD
Please provide the following information for each user-supplied scientific instrument.
Instrument Name
Yes/No
Mission critical instrument
Primary Contact Name, Institution, Phone and Email
Individual weight of all components
Complete size dimensions of all components
Rack-mountable 19” panel space required
(Note: depth beyond 25” will overhang in back)
Yes/No
Supplying your own 19” rack
(Note: racks must survive 9G crash load.)
Hazardous material required (cryogens, etc.)
Compressed gases required (number of cylinders, frequency of replacement)
Radioactive sources or materials
Are there any export controlled parts in your equipment (e.g. ITAR, CCL)?
If so, which?
Inlet requirements: Gooseneck, Standard HIMIL, Anti-Iced HIMIL, Heated
HIMIL, Fin HIMIL, Special, or User Supplied
Can your instrument and inlet handle flight in cloud and precipitation?
Maximum Power Draw (as shown on the instrument panel placard /watts,
volts, amps)
Average Running Power Measured (watts, volts amps)
Type of power (DC, 60 Hz, 400 Hz)
External sensor location (if any)
Yes/No
Are signal(s) to be recorded on RAF’s Data System?
If yes: Signal format (digital, analog, serial):
Full-scale Voltage:
Range:
Resolution:
Sample Rate (1, 5, 250 sps):
Do you need real-time, in-flight, RAF-measurement, serial data feed (RS232, RS422)?
Doo you need IRIG or PPS time-code feed?
Is special sensor calibration service required?
Do you need a full-time operator during flight?
Update 15 November 2015
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Number of lap-top computers for on-board use
Do you need to actively control your instrument from the ground using the
SATCOM link (as opposed to just looking at real-time downloaded data)?
Will EOL support be required in preparing the instrument(s) for use on the
aircraft (other than inspection, installation and power hook-up)? EOL/RAF
can provide design and fabrication support for hardware and electronic
interfaces. (If so, specify type and lead time).
Will you be using your own recording system?
What additional recording capability is needed? Please provide details on
the number of signals, their characteristics, format, synchronous, fire-wire,
ethernet, etc.
If nonstandard output formats and/or data rates are required, how often are
the measurements needed? Note: The standard format for processed, RAF
output data is net CDF.
PAYLOAD GROUND SUPPORT NEEDS FOR USER-SUPPLIED INSTRUMENTATION
Preflight Needs on flight days Postflight Needs on flight days
Routine Maintenance on non-flight days
Access (hrs)
Power (hrs)
Special support needs
Update 15 November 2015
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PI - Project - Facility
NSF / NCAR C-130
EOL/RAF Standard Airborne Scientific Measurements
For details about instrument type and performance, consult the RAF Bulletins on the EOL/RAF web site
at http://www.eol.ucar.edu/raf/Bulletins/
I. TIME
Name
Units
Description
Time
sec
Offset from Reference Start Time (units is reference time)
II. INERTIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM
Name
Units
Description
LAT
LON
THDG
PITCH
ROLL
ACINS
VSPD
ALT
GSF
VEW
VNS
degree_N
degree_E
degree_T
degree
degree
m/s2
m/s
m
m/s
m/s
m/s
Inertial Latitude
Inertial Longitude
Aircraft True Heading Angle
Aircraft Pitch Angle
Aircraft Roll Angle
Aircraft Vertical Acceleration
IRS-Computed Aircraft Vertical Velocity
IRS-Computed Aircraft Altitude
Inertial Ground Speed
Inertial Ground Speed Vector, East Component
Inertial Ground Speed Vector, North Component
III. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
Name
Units
Description
GGLAT
GGLON
GGVEW
GGVNS
GGMODE
GGSTAT
degree_N
degree_E
m/s
m/s
none
none
GPS Latitude
GPS Longitude
GPS Ground Speed Vector, East Component
GPS Ground Speed Vector, North Component
GPS Mode
GPS Status
IV. ALTITUDE AND POSITION
Name
Units
Description
GALT
HGM232
PALT / F
LATC
LONC
m
m
M / feet
degree_N
degree_E
GPS Altitude
Geometric (Radar) Altitude (APN-232)
NACA Pressure Altitude
GPS-Corrected Latitude
GPS-Corrected Longitude
V. AIRCRAFT AND METEOROLOGICAL STATE PARAMETERS
Name
Units
Description
ATTACK
SSLIP
PCAB
PSX
PSXC
QCX
degree
degree
mbar
mbar
mbar
mbar
Update 15 November 2015
Attack Angle, Reference
Sideslip Angle, Reference
Interior Cabin Static Pressure
Raw Static Pressure, Reference
Corrected Static Pressure, Reference
Raw Dynamic Pressure, Reference
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PI - Project - Facility
QCXC
TTX
DPX
DPXC
mbar
deg_C
deg_C
deg_C
Corrected Dynamic Pressure, Reference
Total (Recovery) Temperature, Reference
Dew/Frost Point Temperature, Reference
Dew Point Temperature, Reference
VI. THERMODYNAMIC MEASUREMENTS
Name
Units
Description
ATX
TASX
TASHC
EDPC
THETA
THETAE
TVIR
RHUM
RHODX
SPHUM
MR
deg_C
m/s
m/s
mbar
K
K
deg_C
%
gram/m3
gram/kg
gram/kg
Ambient Temperature, Reference
Aircraft True Airspeed, Reference
Aircraft True Airspeed, Humidity Corrected
Ambient Water Vapor Pressure, Reference
Potential Temperature
Equivalent Potential Temperature (Bolton)
Virtual Temperature
Relative Humidity
Absolute Humidity, T-Electric, Reference
Specific Humidity
Mixing Ratio, T-Electric
VII. WINDS
Name
Units
Description
UIC
VIC
WIC
WSC
WDC
UXC
VYC
GPS-Corrected Wind Vector, East Component
GPS-Corrected Wind Vector, North Component
GPS-Corrected Wind Vector, Vertical Component
GPS-Corrected Horizontal Wind Speed
GPS-Corrected Horizontal Wind Direction
GPS-Corrected Wind Vector, Longitudinal Component
GPS-Corrected Wind Vector, Lateral Component
m/s
m/s
m/s
m/s
degree_T
m/s
m/s
VIII. RADIATION
Name
Units
Description
RSTB
Radiometric Surface Temperature
deg_C
IX. CLOUD PHYSICS
Name
Units
Description
PLWCC
RICE
Corrected PMS-King Liquid Water Content
Raw Icing-Rate Indicator
gram/m3
Volts
XI. PARTICLES
Name
Units
Description
FCNC
CONCN
Corrected CN Counter Sample Flow Rate
Condensation Nuclei (CN) Concentration
vlpm
count/cm3
XII. DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING
Name
Units
Description
D_video
images
Digital images from forward looking camera (1 image per second)
Update 15 November 2015
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