VOCALS DebriefVOCALS Debrief

VOCALS Aircraft Operations

NSF/NCAR C-130 120 hrsDoE Battelle G-1 70 hrsFAAM BAe-146 65 hrsNERC Dornier 50 hrsCIRPAS Twin Otter 100 hrs

VOCALS Aircraft Operations

NSF/NCAR C-130 120 hrsDoE Battelle G-1 70 hrsFAAM BAe-146 65 hrsNERC Dornier 50 hrsCIRPAS Twin Otter 100 hrs

Project ManagementProject Management• FPS – Overall Project Lead: José Meitín

– Liaison with other aircraft facilities– Liaison with local airport authorities– OPS Center Management: no rotation

• RAF – C-130 Coordination: Allen Schanot– Payload Layout & Integration– Operations: no rotation - continuity– Data Processing & project documentation

• JOSS – Shipping and Logistics: Melanie Whitmire– Surface, Air Freight– Lodging– Rental Cars– Security IDs

• CDS – System Admin: Santiago Newberry– OPS Center Internet Access/Computing Support – Data Archival / Field Catalog– Local Area Network

• FPS – Overall Project Lead: José Meitín– Liaison with other aircraft facilities– Liaison with local airport authorities– OPS Center Management: no rotation

• RAF – C-130 Coordination: Allen Schanot– Payload Layout & Integration– Operations: no rotation - continuity– Data Processing & project documentation

• JOSS – Shipping and Logistics: Melanie Whitmire– Surface, Air Freight– Lodging– Rental Cars– Security IDs

• CDS – System Admin: Santiago Newberry– OPS Center Internet Access/Computing Support – Data Archival / Field Catalog– Local Area Network

Project Prep & System IntegrationProject Prep & System Integration

• Dip Clearance– Impact of State Aircraft Status

• U.S. Military Channels / unique requirements• Waiver for fees

• Airport Services– Local arrangements extensive & complicated

– Language• User Integration

– Adequate preparation interval• RAF Integration

– ADS: still under development– New Systems: UVH; Fast 2D-C’s; GPS– SATCOM

• Flight Testing– Focus on ADS problems

• Travel– Options: kudos to Shannon

• Dip Clearance– Impact of State Aircraft Status

• U.S. Military Channels / unique requirements• Waiver for fees

• Airport Services– Local arrangements extensive & complicated

– Language• User Integration

– Adequate preparation interval• RAF Integration

– ADS: still under development– New Systems: UVH; Fast 2D-C’s; GPS– SATCOM

• Flight Testing– Focus on ADS problems

• Travel– Options: kudos to Shannon

Logistics - JOSSLogistics - JOSS• Shipping

– Air freight– Surface

• Customs– Personal Touch– Assistance for other aircraft groups

• Local Storage• Documentation

– Translations– Hazmat

• Lodging, Rental Cars (direct bill)• Security Credentials (> 140 people)

• Shipping– Air freight– Surface

• Customs– Personal Touch– Assistance for other aircraft groups

• Local Storage• Documentation

– Translations– Hazmat

• Lodging, Rental Cars (direct bill)• Security Credentials (> 140 people)

OperationsOperations• Multiple Aircraft Coordination

– Intercomparisons: G-1; BAe-146; R/V Ron Brown

• Airport Services - Excellent• Pre-Flight – 3 hours with taxi to fuel• Research

– 14 total research flts: 119.3 hrs of 120 allocation– 1 cancellation due to lack of fuel

• Fueling – interesting dance with other project aircraft

• Night Operations – 19 consecutive days: 8 of 14 flts– Reduced deployment interval (housing limitations)

• Duty Days – Flight days: maximum crew duty limit of 14 hours– Maintenance on night schedule

• Multiple Aircraft Coordination– Intercomparisons: G-1; BAe-146; R/V Ron Brown

• Airport Services - Excellent• Pre-Flight – 3 hours with taxi to fuel• Research

– 14 total research flts: 119.3 hrs of 120 allocation– 1 cancellation due to lack of fuel

• Fueling – interesting dance with other project aircraft

• Night Operations – 19 consecutive days: 8 of 14 flts– Reduced deployment interval (housing limitations)

• Duty Days – Flight days: maximum crew duty limit of 14 hours– Maintenance on night schedule

Instrumentation Instrumentation

• ADS– DSM issues with 3 boards– USB data interfaces for Fast 2D-C probes

• System Issues– TDL in-operative for entire deployment– 10 um 2D-C laser failure – down after rf05– FSSP performance – probe swap– GPS Noise – reference altitude– Auto GNI in-operative : coverage with manual

system• Summary

– ADS Performance (rf10)– UV Hygrometer & CN Inlet– Redundant Sensors – User Systems: limited problems– HIGHEST QUALITY DATA SET

• ADS– DSM issues with 3 boards– USB data interfaces for Fast 2D-C probes

• System Issues– TDL in-operative for entire deployment– 10 um 2D-C laser failure – down after rf05– FSSP performance – probe swap– GPS Noise – reference altitude– Auto GNI in-operative : coverage with manual

system• Summary

– ADS Performance (rf10)– UV Hygrometer & CN Inlet– Redundant Sensors – User Systems: limited problems– HIGHEST QUALITY DATA SET

RAF Data ManagementRAF Data Management

• OPS Center– Excellent for group activities– Adequate bandwidth for off site link needs

• Real-time Communications– Good connectivity– Flight Tracking & Chat– Flight management input on POC locations

• Archive– Needs definition (PI Data Sets)– Guidance for User submissions

• OPS Center– Excellent for group activities– Adequate bandwidth for off site link needs

• Real-time Communications– Good connectivity– Flight Tracking & Chat– Flight management input on POC locations

• Archive– Needs definition (PI Data Sets)– Guidance for User submissions

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

• Staffing for extra ordinary flight operations– Feasibility review – Reduced deployment duration– Fatigue (day/night duty)

• State Aircraft Status – country specific?– Military Clearance– Fees

• ADS-3 Limitations

• Staffing for extra ordinary flight operations– Feasibility review – Reduced deployment duration– Fatigue (day/night duty)

• State Aircraft Status – country specific?– Military Clearance– Fees

• ADS-3 Limitations

Computing, Data & SoftwareComputing, Data & Software

Highlights and Accomplishments:Highlights and Accomplishments:

Field CatalogField Catalog

- Provided 15-minute GOES-10 imagery over S America- Provided 15-minute GOES-10 imagery over S America- Received reports and products from the R/V Brown on a - Received reports and products from the R/V Brown on a

daily basisdaily basis- First Time photo albums into the catalog- First Time photo albums into the catalog- First Time interactive COSMIC sounding maps/SkewTs - First Time interactive COSMIC sounding maps/SkewTs - Provided QuikSCAT winds customized for the VOCALS - Provided QuikSCAT winds customized for the VOCALS

domain domain - Real time radiosonde to GTS (R/V Brown, GAUS, - Real time radiosonde to GTS (R/V Brown, GAUS,

Paposo land site)Paposo land site)

Highlights and Accomplishments:Highlights and Accomplishments:

Field CatalogField Catalog

- Provided 15-minute GOES-10 imagery over S America- Provided 15-minute GOES-10 imagery over S America- Received reports and products from the R/V Brown on a - Received reports and products from the R/V Brown on a

daily basisdaily basis- First Time photo albums into the catalog- First Time photo albums into the catalog- First Time interactive COSMIC sounding maps/SkewTs - First Time interactive COSMIC sounding maps/SkewTs - Provided QuikSCAT winds customized for the VOCALS - Provided QuikSCAT winds customized for the VOCALS

domain domain - Real time radiosonde to GTS (R/V Brown, GAUS, - Real time radiosonde to GTS (R/V Brown, GAUS,

Paposo land site)Paposo land site)

Computing, Data & SoftwareComputing, Data & Software

Challenges / Lessons Learned:Challenges / Lessons Learned:

- non NCAR aircraft flight data  - designated support staff deployed for entire project  - ease to share informal notes, photos, blogs - provide RSS feeds (update alerts)

Challenges / Lessons Learned:Challenges / Lessons Learned:

- non NCAR aircraft flight data  - designated support staff deployed for entire project  - ease to share informal notes, photos, blogs - provide RSS feeds (update alerts)

Highlights: Highlights: (continued)(continued)

- daily use for project-critical forecasts and flight planning

between Arica and Iquique Operations- provided netCDF GOES-10 files for real-time integration with Ron Brown radar data

- 825,000 products, 58 GB in field catalog

Highlights: Highlights: (continued)(continued)

- daily use for project-critical forecasts and flight planning

between Arica and Iquique Operations- provided netCDF GOES-10 files for real-time integration with Ron Brown radar data

- 825,000 products, 58 GB in field catalog

Computing, Data & SoftwareComputing, Data & Software Network AdministrationNetwork Administration

Dedicated T1 network at Ops CenterDedicated T1 network at Ops CenterProfessional grade firewallProfessional grade firewallAdequate power converters and Adequate power converters and

transformerstransformersInstalled secondary access point at Installed secondary access point at

airportairport

Challenges / Lessons Learned:Challenges / Lessons Learned:

Hotel network (not well maintained)Hotel network (not well maintained)Heavy use of Field Catalog Heavy use of Field Catalog

(bandwidth)(bandwidth)Better web proxy / cachingBetter web proxy / cachingImproved wireless access point Improved wireless access point

equipmentequipment(too many laptops for routers)(too many laptops for routers)

Network AdministrationNetwork Administration

Dedicated T1 network at Ops CenterDedicated T1 network at Ops CenterProfessional grade firewallProfessional grade firewallAdequate power converters and Adequate power converters and

transformerstransformersInstalled secondary access point at Installed secondary access point at

airportairport

Challenges / Lessons Learned:Challenges / Lessons Learned:

Hotel network (not well maintained)Hotel network (not well maintained)Heavy use of Field Catalog Heavy use of Field Catalog

(bandwidth)(bandwidth)Better web proxy / cachingBetter web proxy / cachingImproved wireless access point Improved wireless access point

equipmentequipment(too many laptops for routers)(too many laptops for routers)

ISF GAUSISF GAUSHighlights & Accomplishments:Highlights & Accomplishments:

24-hr/ 7 day (4-hrly) launch 24-hr/ 7 day (4-hrly) launch operationsoperations

2 launch sites (Iquique, R/V 2 launch sites (Iquique, R/V Olaya)Olaya)

189 launches (IQQ), XXX (Olaya)189 launches (IQQ), XXX (Olaya)

Real-time data into GTS/NCEP (IQQ)Real-time data into GTS/NCEP (IQQ)

Challenges:Challenges:

Changing ship schedule impacted Changing ship schedule impacted staffstaff

install / deinstallinstall / deinstall

No technician onboard shipNo technician onboard ship

limited communications during limited communications during cruisecruise

Highlights & Accomplishments:Highlights & Accomplishments:

24-hr/ 7 day (4-hrly) launch 24-hr/ 7 day (4-hrly) launch operationsoperations

2 launch sites (Iquique, R/V 2 launch sites (Iquique, R/V Olaya)Olaya)

189 launches (IQQ), XXX (Olaya)189 launches (IQQ), XXX (Olaya)

Real-time data into GTS/NCEP (IQQ)Real-time data into GTS/NCEP (IQQ)

Challenges:Challenges:

Changing ship schedule impacted Changing ship schedule impacted staffstaff

install / deinstallinstall / deinstall

No technician onboard shipNo technician onboard ship

limited communications during limited communications during cruisecruise

Education and OutreachEducation and Outreach• In-Field Instruments TalksIn-Field Instruments Talks

• Mid-campaign Science MeetingMid-campaign Science Meeting

• Windows to the UniverseWindows to the Universe

~20 participating scientists~20 participating scientistsMultiple “Multiple “Postcards from the FieldPostcards from the Field””

• Local and National MediaLocal and National Media

Several institutional press releases, Several institutional press releases, departmental newsletters/web articlesdepartmental newsletters/web articlesMultiple local newspaper articlesMultiple local newspaper articlesLocal television reportsLocal television reportsNational newspaper articles (Chile)National newspaper articles (Chile)multiple newspaper/magazines (Peru)multiple newspaper/magazines (Peru)