Flight “modules” for ADIENT – Draft October 2007
Ellie Highwood
The purpose of this document is to define several flight planning “modules” for specific purposes that
could be combined to achieve the goals of ADIENT. ADIENT is interested in the evolution of aerosol
and its radiative effect on a variety of time and space scales, and in the effect of the UK on aerosol
properties.
There are two types of flying based on previous AMPEP and CLOPAP work, but with the necessary
addition of some radiative closure flight patterns (e.g. ADRIEX/DODO/DABEX). Radiative and plume
work will require NOTAMS, budget work waypoints.
The intention is to add profiles and in clear skies, radiation work, off-shore Weybourne and Plymouth
on as many occasions as is possible. Profiles in and out of Cranfield will provide validation data for
Cardington sunphotometer and aerosol measurements.
The location of these flights depends on wind and cloud conditions. It is envisaged that most plume
work will be carried out over the north sea in areas Delta, Echo, and in the case of anticylonic or
easterly conditions, Foxtrot.
The modules attached could be combined in a single flight, or flown back to back in a “double bubble”.
I am still not sure which could be flown in which area, but am hoping that this will emerge in later
iterations. These modules are not currently complete missions – i.e. they do not include transit times to
desired areas etc, or positioning.
Mission scientist additional comments.
 Science speed is approximately such that 60km = 10 mins.
 Profiles are usually done at 500ft per minute within the boundary layer and 1000ft per minute
above that.
 It is advisable to put a break in above 5000ft in a long flight if possible as no one will be able to
go to the loo otherwise!
 Orbits should be at 10-20 degrees off solar zenith angle if possible (see separate tech note on
orbit procedures). Make a table of zenith angle at times of day for your given location and time
of year and keep it in your clipboard or flying suit.
 Filters need to be on for 15 mins in moderate loadings, shorter times in thicker pollution.
 Please ensure BBRs are cleaned regularly particularly when heavy loading has been
encountered.
 If passing through cloud, inlets to filters and PSAP need to be closed because they will get wet
otherwise and confuse the results.
 Please keep an eye on the nephelometer traces. For most small aerosol around the UK, I would
expect to see more scattering at the blue (450nm) wavelength than the green or red. If this looks
odd, please draw Mo Smith’s attention to it during or after the flight.
 The pilots often spot interesting things and aerosol layers – keep a note of those that they tell
you too!
 Always write flight briefs in similar format, in at least 12 pt font and leave margins for notes
round the side. Try not to get them going over more than one side of A4!
Possible combinations:
Single flights:
Plume identification part of Module 2, Part of Module 7 raster pattern and then Module 4 radiation at
one or two positions
Double flights:
A. Module 2 round England and plume identification. Refuel Cranfield. followed by Module 7 and
Module 5 in plume identified in first flight (westerlies).
B. Module 3 round Britain with AERONET validation module 6 or radiation module 4/5 off Plymouth.
Refuel at Exeter? Continue module 3 with module 6/4 or 5 again off Weybourne (in westerlies or
easterlies).
C. Plume identification from module 2, followed by raster pattern module 7. Refuel Teeside, Then
module 5 at two places or module 8.
ADIENT Flight Module 1: Radiometer calibrations (EJH)
Aim: To provide calibration information for the BBRs (broad band radiometers) and the specialist
SWS/SHIMS radiometers
Weather conditions needed: clear sky (including no cirrus). Preferably over water.
Special note: this needs to be done at least once in every main ADIENT flying/test flying period.
1. Profile ascent to FL250+ in a cirrus and other cloud free area.
[~20 mins, T=20]
2. Perform a box pattern at as high a level as is possible (FL250+). 2 x 5 minute legs across sun, 1
5 minute leg into and 1 5 minute leg down sun is ideal (minimum leg duration is 2 mins).
Request “ok” from SWS operator before ending each leg.
(Instructions for SWS operator: During the into and down-sun runs, the SWS should spend
30s each on views starting approximately 10 degrees off the solar zenith angle, then
dwelling at 10 deg intervals moving away from the sun. The SWS should be pointed at
zenith on the cross sun runs (corrected for pitch, i.e. 6 deg forward)). Note, this could also
be used instead of orbits when flying below aerosol
[25mins, T=45]
3. At high level (FL250+), perform 2 sets of 2 clockwise orbits. The first two should be at near
solar zenith angle and the second 2 at zenith angle+10 degrees. The SWS should view zenith
(corrected for aircraft pitch, i.e. forward 6 deg). Request “ok” from SWS operator before
starting each orbit. Reduce to two orbits 10-20 degrees off solar zenith angle if time is limited.
(Instructions for SWS operator: On the first of each pair, the integration times to be as
for a normal zenith view with the cycle time as fast as possible, on the second of each pair, the
integration time to be reduced to a level that will not saturate or minimum (15ms), and the cycle
time set to 0.1s.
[15 mins, T=60]
ADIENT Flight Module 2: Plume identification for various wind conditions (MJN)
Location: Track along the South, East, or West coast of Britain depending on the wind conditions.
FAAM waypoints indicated are designated below.
Sortie Aim: To identify aerosol plumes and characterize aerosol properties of UK pollution with a
combination of in situ and radiation measurements in a variety of different wind conditions.
Weather conditions needed: High aerosol loadings with ideally well-defined plumes. Strong
westerly, northerly, or easterly wind conditions. Clear skies and high zenith angle needed for full
radiation module (However, if some cloud present or low SZA can still perform radiation module
without orbits). These may need to be modified to include more upwind environments.
Sortie Summary: Mid-boundary layer air will be sampled along a coast of Britain for one of the three
wind conditions: (a) westerly (E. Coast), (b) northerly (S. Coast), or (c) easterly (W. Coast) to identify
aerosol plumes. The chosen sortie will consist of a transit to the appropriate coast and an SLR in
boundary layer air (2000 ft or appropriate level) along that coast. Once a pollution plume has been
identified, a broken profile ascent/stacked descent will be performed to characterize the in situ profile.
If weather conditions permit, the full radiation module will be performed in area of the pollution plume
over ocean in a designated area. If conditions are not appropriate for radiation work, additional SLRs
will be performed through the aerosol as determined by the mission scientist.
Sortie Details:
Route A: Westerly
1) Take off from Cranfield and transit at FL110 or appropriate level towards waypoint 42 off the
East coast (112 miles=15 min).
2) Upon reaching coast fast descend to 2000 ft or mid-BL to point 42.
3) (T=25) Perform an SLR at 2000 ft or mid-BL counter-clockwise around south east coast of
Britain north through waypoints 42, 41, 40, and 87 (160 miles = 45 min at science speed)
4) (T=70) Near Weybourne, profile down to 50 ft or minimum altitude above ocean and perform
broken profile ascent at 1000 ft/min to FL120 or well above aerosol. If significant vertical
structure is observed in aerosol then do stacked profile descent at 3 or so levels above, within
and below aerosol. (Otherwise a raster pattern within aerosol layer moving away from sources
may be performed.)
5) (T=100) Perform EITHER full radiation module if conditions are appropriate or series of
reciprocal straight and level runs of 5-10 minutes each at several different altitudes with profile
descents between each level. (Duration = 105 minutes total)
6) (T=205?) Continue to waypoints 80, 79 as fuel allows.
7) Transit to Cranfield at FL110.
8) (T=300) Land Cranfield.
Route B: Northerly
1) Take off from Cranfield and transit at FL110 towards waypoint 41 off east coast.
2) (T=20) Upon reaching coast fast descent to 2000 ft or mid-BL near point 41.
3) (T=30) Perform an SLR at 2000 ft or mid-BL clockwise around south east coast of Britain
through waypoints 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46. (300 miles = 75 min)
4) (T=105) Near Plymouth, profile down to 50 ft or minimum altitude above ocean and perform
broken profile ascent at 1000 ft/min to FL120 or well above aerosol. If significant vertical
structure is observed in aerosol then do stacked profile descent at 3 or 4 levels above, within
and below aerosol. (Otherwise a raster pattern may be performed within aerosol layer moving
away from sources.)
5) (T=140) In designated area near Plymouth perform EITHER full radiation module if conditions
are appropriate or series of reciprocal straight and level runs of 5-10 minutes each at several
different altitudes with profile descents between each level to be determined by mission
scientist (105 min)
6) (T=245) Return to 2000 ft for crossing Cornwall to waypoint 48. (20 min)
7) Transit back to Cranfield at FL110.
8) (T=280) Land Cranfield.
Route C: Easterly
1) Take off from Cranfield and transit towards Bristol Channel at FL110.
2) (T+20) Fast descent to 2000 ft or mid-BL on reaching the Bristol Channel down to point 37.
3) (T=30) Perform an SLR at 2000 ft or mid-BL north up coast of Wales through waypoints 49,
50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 (309 miles = 85 min at science speed)
4) (T=110) In a pre-designated area in the Irish Sea, profile down to 50 ft or minimum altitude
above ocean and perform broken profile ascent at 1000 ft/min to FL120 or well above aerosol.
If significant vertical structure is observed in aerosol then do stacked profile descent at 3 or so
levels above, within and below aerosol. (Otherwise a raster pattern may be performed within
aerosol layer moving away from sources)
5) (T=145). Perform EITHER full radiation module if conditions are appropriate or additional
series of reciprocal straight and level runs of 5-10 minutes each at several different altitudes
with profile descents between each level (105 min)
6) (T=250) Transit back to Cranfield (30 min at transit speed)
7) (T=280) Land at Cranfield.
ADIENT Flight Module 3: Round Britain Budget (MJN)
Sortie Aim: To characterize aerosol properties upwind and downwind of England, including Irish Sea
(Note: upwind and downwind definitions change for easterly or westerly winds.)
Weather needed: No rainfall. Westerly or easterly conditions. Aerosol loading as high as possible.
Location: Over coastal areas around Britain, upwind and downwind of major pollution sources.
FAAM waypoints indicated below.
Sortie Summary: A round Britain sortie to survey the UK aerosol budgets upwind and downwind of
sources. The sortie can be performed as is in westerly conditions, or in the reverse order for easterly
conditions. After transit to West coast, boundary layer air will be sampled around Britain at altitudes
1000-2000 ft in anti-clockwise direction around Britain. Descending profile near entrance to English
channel near Plymouth for clean upwind profile (or downwind in anti-cyclonic conditions).
Ascending profile will be taken near Weybourne for downwind profile (upwind in anticyclonic). If
conditions appropriate (i.e. clear skies and high SZA) option to add orbits in Irish Sea or near Plymouth
(NOTAM required).
Sortie Details with approximate timing:
1) Take off Cranfield and transit at FL110 towards Isle of Man (waypoint 54). (216 miles =27 min
at transit speed)
2) (T = 30) On reaching Irish Sea perform descent profile to 1000 ft or below aerosol. Ascend to
mid-boundary layer (1000 - 2000 ft to be determined by mission scientist) and perform an SLR
heading anticlockwise down west coast of Wales through way points 53-52-51-50-49-48. (245
miles = 60 min at science speed +15 min for decent profile)
3) (T= 105) Crossing Cornwall at 2000 ft or appropriate altitude. After entering English Channel
(near waypoint 46 or other designated clean area over ocean) profile down to minimum altitude
and perform ascent profile to FL120 or well above aerosol. (30 min)
4) (T = 135) Resume to mid-BL level and continue anti-clockwise around southern section to
waypoints 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40 (~400 miles = 105 min).
5) (T = 240) On approach to point 87 (Weybourne) profile down to minimum altitude above ocean
and perform ascent profile to level well above aerosol layer (~FL120 or so determined by
mission scientist).
6) (T=260) Resume to mid –BL level and continue north to waypoint 80 or further as fuel allows.
7) (T=250) Resume to FL110 for transit back to Cranfield.
8) (T=280-300) Land at Cranfield.
ADIENT Flight Module 4: Radiative closure minimum [~80 minute module] EJH
Aim: To provide enough in-situ and radiation data to attempt radiative closure for a column. Working
over a line between points A (define lat, long) and B (define lat, long) within NOTAM area
delta/echo/foxtrot, bravo or alpha! Or between waypoints. Turns and ascents are such as to maximise
duration of SLR within aerosol for filter samples. This could be done either along plume axis or with A
and B across plume axis depending on interest. The times of legs will depend on your distance A to B,
but suggest A and B are 12 mins (or roughly 100km) apart as this gives good comparison with model
data and is probably adequate for filter sampling in moderate aerosol loading. Longer legs are better for
in-situ samping if possible. If working cross plume close inshore you will probably want A and B close
together than this and to run repeats of the in-situ SLR.
Weather needed: Clear skies (including no cirrus), reasonable amount of solar radiation (i.e. needs to
be flown as close to local noon as possible).
Special manouvres: low level flying.
1. Profile ascent from low level at A (i.e. minimum safe altitude) towards B until nephelometer
suggests you are well above aerosol layers (anticipated FL120 ) at 500ft per minute below 3000ft
and 1000ft/min above 3000ft (travelling 80km in this time). Continue to point B at high level if
necessary, with SWS and SHIMS pointing upwards.
[~10 mins, T=10].
2. At point B perform FAAM outside turn to re-orient on a reciprocal heading
[ 5 mins, T=15]
3. SLR of 15 minutes at FL100 (or above aerosol) back towards A. SWS and SHIMS to point
downwards during this time.
[15 mins, T=30]
4. Broken profile descent in region of point A until within aerosol layer
[10 mins, T=40]
5. Turn onto heading towards B
[5 mins, T=45]
6. Perform a SLR from A to B within the aerosol layer for in-situ sampling.
[15 mins, T=60]
7. FAAM turn and broken profile descent over point B to low level (100ft).
[5 mins, T=65]
8. 15 min SLR at low level (100ft) towards point A with SWS and SHIMS pointing upwards for
first 10 minutes and downwards for final 5 minutes (to get sea state and albedo)
[15 mins, T=80]
9. Arrive point A at low level….
ADIENT Flight Module 5: Radiation full monty (135 minute module) EJH
Aim: To provide data for radiative closure and to characterise radiative impact of aerosol, including
orbits. Working over a line between points A (define lat, long) and B (define lat, long) within NOTAM
area delta/echo/foxtrot, bravo or alpha! Or between waypoints. Turns and ascents are such as to
maximise duration of SLR within aerosol for filter samples. This could be done either along plume axis
or with A and B across plume axis depending on interest. The times of legs will depend on your
distance A to B, but suggest A and B are roughly 100km) apart. If working cross plume close inshore
you will probably want A and B close together than this as you’ll run out of plume! Absolute minimum
useful data for SWS and SHIMS is 5 mins. The location of the 4 orbits depends on how much variation
you are seeing along the SLRs. You could do them mid-way between A and B if not much variation,
or a set at both ends (and at both altitudes) if things are very different.. This is currently written to do
them at both points A and B to determine maximum time.
Weather needed: Clear skies (including no cirrus), reasonable amount of solar radiation (i.e. needs to
be flown as close to local noon as possible). Probably not possible during November or March since
maximum degree of bank is around 60deg (and perhaps less than this depending on conditions, altitude,
weight etc). Flying in May, June or September would allow useful orbits around local noon.
Special manouvres: low level flying, orbits
1. Profile ascent from low level at A (i.e. minimum safe altitude) towards B until nephelometer
suggests you are well above aerosol layers (anticipated FL100 or FL150) at 500ft per minute below
3000ft and 1000ft/min above 3000ft (travelling 80km in this time). Continue to point B at high level
if necessary, with SWS and SHIMS pointing upwards.
[~10 mins, T=10].
2. At point B perform FAAM outside turn to re-orient on a reciprocal heading over point B
[ 5 mins, T=15]
3. SLR at FL100 (or above aerosol) back to A. SWS and SHIMS to point downwards during this
time.
[15 mins, T=30]
4. Reciprocal SLR to B above aerosol at FL100. SWS and SHIMS to point up. 10 mins, T=40]
5. At B, broken profile descent to within aerosol layer
[10 mins, T=50]
6. Turn and perform an SLR to point A within the aerosol layer for in-situ sampling.
[15 mins, T=65]
7. At A, broken profile descent to minimum safe altitude for orbits and perform a set of 2 orbits at
low level (100ft).
[5 mins, T=70]
8. SLR at low level (100ft) to point B with SWS and SHIMS pointing up.
[15 mins, T=85]
9. Perform a a set of 2 orbits at SZA + 10 degrees if possible above point B at the minimum safe
altitude for doing so.
[10 mins, T=95]
10. Descend to 100ft and perform an SLR to point A with SWS and SHIMS pointing down.
[15mins, T=110]
11. Ascend to minimum safe altitude for orbits above point A and perform a set of 2 orbits at SZA+10
degrees if possible.
[10 mins, T=120]
12. Broken profile ascent to above aerosol at point A and perform second set of 2 orbits at SZA+10
degrees
[15 mins, T=135]
ADIENT Flight Module 6: AERONET validation (MJN)
Sortie Aim: to provide validation for AERONET sites
Weather needed: Clear skies (including no cirrus), reasonable amount of solar radiation (i.e. needs to
be flown as close to local noon as possible.) Flown over water if possible (and calm seas at that).
Pollution plume would be useful for full radiation module.
Locations: NOTAM area in area alpha off Cornwall south of Plymouth over ocean. Generally between
waypoints 46 and 48 – but check which areas we can NOTAM. (Note: Ideally this would be done at
Chilbolton but there are heavy restrictions on flying at this location). If there are doubts on amount of
aerosol or amount of radiation, fly this instead of radiation module so we get something for
AERONET. However, you might want to consider flying module 4 in clear sky conditions once too for
comparison.) (Note: Check whether the sunphotometer is at Rame Head anymore - check this with Tim
Smyth at PML.)
Sortie Summary: A transit to the area northwest up the coast from Plymouth for sunphotometer
validation and radiation work. A series of SLRs and orbits at different altitudes will be performed as
close to the coast as possible while remaining over the ocean for the purposes of AERONET validation.
For radiation closure, short module #4 or long module #5 depending on pollution and radiation
conditions.
Sortie details:
1) Takeoff from Cranfield and transit at FL100 (or appropriate level) south towards waypoint 46
(Duration 10 minutes).
2) (Optional –if permitted) Near waypoint 12 (Chilbolton) descend to minimum altitude and
perform (likely broken) ascent profile at 1000 ft/min to FL200 (Duration 30 minutes).
3) Return to transit altitude and continue towards waypoint 46 south of Plymouth. (Duration 20
minutes)
4) (T = 30) Descend to 500 ft or below aerosol at 1000 ft/min and perform one or two orbits at
bank angles at or near SZA, then broken profile ascent from minimum altitude at 1000 ft/min to
above aerosol and perform second orbit overhead of the first (Duration 55 minutes)
5) (T = 85) Perform a series of stacked reciprocal straight and level runs of about 5-10 minutes
each for 3-4 altitudes (depending on location of any aerosol plumes) between waypoints 45 and
46 (or designated NOTAM points A and B) south of Plymouth with profile descents between
each level. Perform one or two orbits at a level within the aerosol preferably collocated in
lat/lon with the two sets of orbits previously performed. (Duration 60-90 minutes).
6) (T = 145) If time allows and radiation conditions are appropriate perform full radiation closure
module or short radiation module and/or some extra orbits. Otherwise, add additional levels
and orbits in step 5. (Duration = 70-100 minutes)
7) (T=245 +?) Transit back to Cranfield at FL100. (Duration = 35 minutes)
8) (T = ~280) Land at Cranfield.
ADIENT Flight Module 7: Plume dispersal and in-situ characteristics (210 min module not
including transits and finding plume EJH)
Aim: to assess aerosol in-situ changes and plume dispersion. Note this starts from a point of having
found the plume (assumed to be off the E coast of England, either London plume or further north. This
assumes a coherent plume on a model gridbox scale of 100 km. Timings are probably not that
meaningful but should give you the general idea.
Weather needed: strong advective conditions
1. Having located the plume, perform an SLR within the aerosol layer across the expected axis of
the plume. The center point of this SLR becomes point A
[15 mins, T=15]
2. Turn onto a orthogonal heading and transit within aerosol for at least 15 mins SLR or until
plume is lost.
[15 mins, T=30]
3. Perform a cross axis SLR within the aerosol layer at the new offshore point. The centre point of
this SLR becomes point B.
[20 mins, T=50]
Manouvers 1-3 allow you to locate and map the plume.
4. Having located plume axis, perform a broken profile ascent above point B from low level to
above the aerosol layer
[15 mins, T=65]
5. Descend into plume layer and perform an 15min SLR within the plume towards point A.
[20 mins, T=85]
Here begins a raster pattern consisting of a series of SLRs across plume heading back towards
source
6. At point A, perform an SLR until out of plume
[5 mins, T=90]
7. FAAM turn onto a reciprocal heading and perform a cross plume SLR until out of plume on the
other side
[15 mins, T=105]
8. FAAM turn through 90 degree and perform 5min SLR parallel to plume axis [5 mins, T=110]
9. Turn 90 degrees and fly 10 min SLR across plume axis
[10 mins, T=120]
10. Turn 90 degrees and fly 5 min SLR parallel to plume axis
[5 mins, T=125]
11. Turn 90 degrees and fly 10 min SLR across plume axis
[10 mins, T=135]
12. Turn 90 degrees and fly 5 min SLR parallel to plume axis
[5 mins, T=140]
13. Turn 90 degrees and fly 10 min SLR across plume axis
[10 mins, T=150]
14. Turn 90 degrees and fly 5 min SLR parallel to plume axis
[5 mins, T=155]
15. Turn 90 degrees and fly 10 min SLR across plume axis
[10 mins, T=165]
Note, we may want to perform more or less of these, with different durations or at different
altitudes depending on profile.
16. FAAM turn onto a reciprocal heading and descend to low level below plume maximum
[5 mins, T=170]
17. FAAM turn onto plume axis and perform a 15 min SLR at low level with radiometers looking
up
[15 mins, T=185]
18. Broken profile ascent to above the plume above point A
[10 mins, T=195]
19. Turn onto a reciprocal heading and perform an SLR above the aerosol with radiometers looking
down
[15 mins, T=210].
20. This brings us back to coast at level above the aerosol for transit to Cranfield.
Module 8 Bay of Biscay (note details lacking)
500ft amsl route will be from Harwich (way point 41) clockwise around the UK coast, to sample the
low country outflow, to waypoint 45 south of Poole, to 50N 003W (south west corner of EGD-013)
then to 49 47'N 003 17'W (London/Brest FIR at east corner of EGD-004). In the Brest FIR from 49
47'N 003 17'W to 49N 005W, then due south on 005W to the north coast of Spain (with waypoints at
48N, 47N, 46N, 45N, 44N, and 43N); followed by a high level recovery to the UK (subject to fuel - PC
running a provisional OFP to establish options).
This could be used for radiation or in-situ sampling of either clean air or European outflow depending
on meteorology and interest. It is included here to flag up that we might want to use this route way.