through the Fifth Framework Programme
| INCA | funded by the European Community
through the Fifth Framework Programme |
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On this page reports for the individual flights are compiled, either from the scientists on board or from the pilots. Please click on the flight for the relevant report.
Take Off Time: 09:09 UTC
A test flight was performed in Oberpfaffenhofen on Thursday, March 9.
It lasted about 90 minutes with two flight legs at FL 310 and FL 370.
Most of the instrumentation worked perfect, some remaining deficiencies
have been improved after the flight.
Overall the atmosphere was very clean with low aerosol and nitric oxide
concentrations. The ability of the instruments to measure very low values,
which are also expected to occur in Punta Arenas, could be confirmed at
this occasion.
The upper leg at FL 370 was in the tropopause region with water vapor
mixing ratios down to 10 ppm, but only slightly enhanced ozone mixing ratio.
Landing Time: 10:33 UTC
Ferry flight Part A: Oberpfaffenhofen - Keflavik (Iceland)
Take Off Time: 09:19 UTC
After take off we reached for a while FL 370 and after that most of the time we spent at FL 390. In the beginning of the flight we had clear sky and beautifull view of Alps. After first hour we reached the front over NW Europe and it was cloudy all the rest of the flight to Keflavik. Almost all flight we spent in stratosphere. Ozone was between 200 and 400 ppb, almost no NO and high NOy. Particles well below 100. During latter part of the flight the particle concentration decreased below 50 pp/cc (minimum around 20 pp/cc). Those are the same value as we seen during two Amsterdam flight on STREAM 98. This particle concentration we saw at altitudes where PV was around 10. OPC showed rougly between 5 and 20 pp/cc and sample flow was 0.4 sccm/sec. It means roughly 1 to 5 pp/cc ambient. Most of the counts were in first 5 channels, some of them up to channel 10. Thermodenuder worked well. Most of the time all CPCs followed each other. In some cases I saw increase for CVI CPC and 120 deg C CPC and decrease for 250 deg C CPC. We passed some old contrails, already unvisible, but our particle counters saw them. During descent to Keflavik we passed tropopause somewhere between 9 and 11 km. At FL 210 we passed over some convective clouds and counters showed spikes in particle concetration.PSAP flow I set to 0.5 l/min. (Report received from Radek Krejci)
Landing Time: 13:17 UTC
Ferry flight Part B: Keflavik - Goose Bay (Canada)
Summary of flight (received from Radek Krejci):
Falcon was parked outside. The temperature overnight was well below
zero together with strong wind and snowing. Fortunatelly no rime was observed
on inlets and aircraft.
During preparation no major problems occurred.
08:24 Take off
12:32 Landing in Goose Bay
Most of the time we flown in tropopause region or in stratosphere. Particle concentration during first part of the flight was around (N6) 100 pp/cc. When we entered stratopshere more deep, ozone concentration incresed to 300 400 ppb and particle concentration (N6) decresed to 20 40 pp/cc. However we did not probably enter stratosphere so deep as suring the flight to Kefla-vik. Accumulation mode particle concentration was low between 0 and 5 pp/cc. Later after 9:00 we entered probably upper troposphere or tropopau-se. Ozone concentration was lower and particle concntration (N6) was around 300 pp/cc. During this time we flown close to the top of cirrus cloud layer with changing thicknes roughly until 11:00.
Ferry flight Part C: Goose Bay - Peoria (U.S.A.)
Refuling stop in Goose Bay was without problems. Weather was sunny and really winter like with 3 meters tick snow cover. Only small complication was power failure during start up.
13:53 Take off
17:45 Landing in Peoria
Similar to previous stage, we flown probably in tropopause lower stratosphere region during the whole leg.
Ferry Flight Part D: Peoria - Mexico
Take Off Time: 16:00 UTC
We had a small delay as we did not get permission to land in Mexico
City and we had to wait to get landing permission on some other airport
nearby Mexico City. At the beginning we flew in upper troposphere and tropopause
region passing a cold front. At around FL270 we reached a cirrus layer.
Particle concentration was very high (above 10 000 pp/cc) just under or
in the lowes part of the cloud. We stayed at FL 310 while of cirrus clouds
and the CVI was turned ON. After that we climbed to FL 350 to most upper
part of the cirrus layer or into sub-visible cirrus cloud. CVI data showed
the same "wave structure" as during the flight to Goose Bay. Ozone at that
time was between 150 and 200 ppb and total aerosol particle concentration
(N6) between 200 and 600 pp/cc. As we get further S, we moved from Upper
troposphere - tropopause, maybe lower stratosphere more into troposphere.
Over S of USA ozone dropped down well below 100 ppb and particles stabilized
at 250 pp/cc. Flying further S particle concentration slowly increased
up to 400 pp/cc and ozone continued to decrease. During descent to Mexico
City there were no big change in vertical profile observed in free troposphere,
most probably because of influence from subsiding air connected with subtropics
high pressure system. Boundary layer was very much in contrast with free
troposphere. All measured paramters were generally "out of scale". Particles
between 5000 and 15 000 pp/cc, CO above 300 ppb. The BL
was very nicely capped with scattered Cu clouds.
Landing Time: 19:56 UTC
Ferry Flight Part E: Mexico - Panama City
Take Off Time: 21:54 UTC
After refueling we continued towards Panama City. First we flew above SW Mexico and then over the Pacific close to the Central America coast. Final part of the flight we flew above Panama. During all of the flight we measured in the upper free torposphere. Concentrations of all measured parameters were very, very stable. Ozone slightly varied between 30 and 50 ppb and particles between 200 and 250 pp/cc. This caused two results. Paul checked the sensitivity of the instruments if it is really measuring and I (Radek) felt a sleep for some 30 minutes. The part of the flight above the ocean was cloud free but still hazy, only towards the E we could see some big Cb’s. During final part above Panama we reached at FL 370 cirrus cloud layer where CVI was turned ON.
For INCA TEAM : Radek Krejci, Paul Stock (Panama City)
Landing Time: 01:23 UTC
Ferry Flight Part F: Panama City - Lima (Peru)
Take Off Time: 15:24 UTC
After the night in Panama City we took off at 15:24 UTC heading towards Lima. Most of the flight we flown over the Pacific Ocean, only final part we passed over coastal region of Peru. Boundary layer over Panama was capped with scattered Cu clouds. Above boundary layer we entered 2 hazy layers below trade wind inversion. During the climb to cruising altitude 37 000 ft we passed cirrus outflow from large Cb located SE from Falcon. Top of the cirrus cloud layer was at FL 330. Close to the cirrus base we observed large increase in particle concentration. Close to the equator the cloud structure become very complex and clouds were present in many different altitudes. As we get closer to ITCZ, we intercept outflow region from Intertropical Convergence Zone. ITCZ was located at this time few degrees from Equator. At 16:52 we crossed the Equator and few minutes latter we passed few thousands feets above large Cb cloud and its outflow with cirrus clouds. Above the cloud aerosol concentration (> 6nm) increased very rapidly to thousands of particles per cc. This part of flight was bumpy. Flying above cirrus outflow from Cb, intensity of turbulence decreased. The same pattern was observed for aerosol concentration. Roughly 30 minutes after we passed through the top and outflow of another of Cb clouds. NO concentration increased indicating lightning activity. The rest of the flight we flown partly inside or above cirrus clouds. During the descent to Lima we entered hazy layer in middle troposphere. Boundary layer over the coastal region of Peru close to Lima was very polluted and hazy, similar to the pollution level over Mexico City. Aerosol concentration > 6 nm was between 10 000 and 15 000 pp/cc, accumulation mode aerosol >110 nm concentration was in order of thousands per cc. We landed in Lima at 18:42 UTC.
Ferry Flight Part G: Lima - Santiago (Chile)
At 20:15 UTC we took off from Lima. During ascend we passed 3 hazy layers
with enhanced aerosol concentration. At our cruising altitude 37
000 ft we intercept for 15 minutes layer of cirrus clouds. Particle
concentration (> 6 nm) was relatively high between 1500 and 5000 pp/cc
close to the cirrus clouds. Enhancement in aerosol concentration continued
for next 50 minutes after we left cirrus clouds behind. At 20o S compact
layer of stratiform clouds over the Pacific was observed. Around
25o S aerosol concentration (> 6 nm) decreased rapidly close to 100 pp/cc
as we probably passed through subtropical jet stream. During the descent
towards Santiago, in boundary layer we observed similar level of pollution
as over Lima and Mexico City.
Landing at 23:29 UTC.
Ferry Flight Part H: Santiago - Punta Arenas
Take Off Time: 18:31 UTC
Take off from Santiago was delayed by more than 3 hours due to complications
with handling at the airport. Finally we took off at 18:31 UTC. Similar
to previous vertical profiles we passed number of hazy layers in lower
troposphere with enhanced aerosol concentration. During first 20 minutes
no clouds were observed with exception of stratocumulus cloud deck over
the Pacific and particle concentration (> 6 nm) was very low around 50
pp/cc. At 35o S and flight level 370 Falcon flown into upper part of cirrus
clouds. All measured parameters were very low (aerosol, No, NOy, CO, O3).
As we moved towards south, we flown closer and closer to tropopause and
some 20 minutes before descent to Punta Arenas we intercept tropopause
at altitude 37 000 ft. Landing at 21:24 UTC.
(All reports received from Radek Krejci)
Arrival of the Falcon at Punta Arenas: 17:24 local time (21:24 UTC)
First Technical Flight (March 23, 2000)
Take Off 14:39 UTC.
Crew: Welser / Sauer (pilots), Hinz (flight engineer), Fink (Chilean
Air Force), Seifert, Gayet, Petzold (payload operators)
The flight track was of triangle shape with a climb to the South (55°30'
S, 71° W), then a leg towards North-West with the end point at 54°
S and 74° W, and from there back to Punta Arenas. The second leg of
the triangle was almost completely in cirrus clouds at 8100 m altitude
(350 hPa, 230 K air temperature). Ascents and descents trough the cloud
layer were performed. The air chemistry payload was not operated on this
flight. During descent to Punta Arenas penetration of low level clouds.
Landing Time: 16:05 UTC
Second Technical Flight (March 23, 2000)
Take Off: 19:05 UTC
Crew: Welser / Sauer (pilots), Hinz (flight engineer), Fink (Chilean
Air Force), Seifert, Baehr, Minikin (payload operators)
The flight track was identical to the first technical flight. On this flight the Polar Nephelometer was not operated. and the cirrus layer had partly dissolved compared to the first flight. Nevertheless some cirrus cloud fields have been penetrated.
First results of the air chemistry measurements: In the first part of the flight during measurements in the upper troposphere the observed NO, NOy, O3, and CO volume mixing ratios were pretty low around 10 pptv, 100 pptv, 30 ppbv, and 50 ppbv, respectively. During the second part of the flight the Falcon sampled air near the local tropopause with much higher trace gas abundance's, e.g. 130 ppbv O3. The measured NO/NOy-ratios of about 0.1 in the upper troposphere are significantly smaller than observed at northern mid-latitudes over the eastern North Atlantic.
Landing Time: 20:29 UTC
Mission Flight No. 1 (March 24, 2000)
Crew: Welser / Sauer (pilots), Hinz (flight engineer), Seifert, Baehr,
Petzold, Fournol (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 20:20 UTC
For the first mission a cirrus cloud field over sea north-west of Punta
Arenas was identified as target area. Takeoff was at 20:20 UTC, the Falcon
climbed towards North-West to reach a cirrus cloud field over sea. From
FL 300 the crew selected a cirrus field slightly south of the actual position.
L-shaped pattern were flown inside the cloud at three different levels
(FL 246, 210, and 195, respectively). The relevant temperatures at these
levels were 237, 244, and 246 K. The legs of the L were oriented against
the wind direction and perpendicular to it. In the medium level the cloud
structure was quite homogeneous inside the cirrus, in the upper level the
cirrus was thinner, and in the lower level probably some tops of cumulus
type clouds have been penetrated.
At the end a profile up to FL 350 was flown, which clearly reached
into the stratosphere. During descent the cirrus layer top was recorded
at about 7230 m altitude (238 K), the base was at about 5000 m altitude
(252 K). Lower level clouds were observed to be clearly separated
from this cirrus layer.
Landing Time: 23:15 UTC
Mission Flight No. 2 (March 31, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Ström,
Stock, Gayet, Minikin (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 13:22 UTC
The second measuring flight went well and according to schedule. From take-off the Falcon climbed to a level well above all clouds to find the cloud top altitude. The cirrus cloud was part of a system that approached from the west, with humid air extending trough out the troposphere. The top of the cloud was composed of a thin layer with some hundred meters of cloud free air in between this layer and the main body of the cloud. The first flight level was performed at an altitude of about 10 km in the top of the cloud. Six flight legs of approximately 10 to 15 minutes were performed above each other with an altitude difference of about 600m. The interior of the cloud was fairly homogenous and opaque. At the upper level a 22-degree Halo phenomenon could be observed. At the lowest flight level, at an altitude of about 6km, liquid water was present. The Falcon ascended through the cloud again before commencing a stepwise descent back to the airport. For part of the flight the 2DC-probe did not operate and the PCASP for residual particles was inoperative during the entire flight. (Johan Ström, mission scientist)
Landing Time: 16:34 UTC
Mission Flight No. 3 (March 31, 2000)
Crew: Sauer / Scherdel (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Seifert,
Petzold, Baehr, Fournol (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 19:20 UTC
The second flight of today was set up similar to the morning flight.
The cloud system has moved 2 degree towards east compared to the morning
situation, while the lateral extension remained almost constant. Contrary
to the morning flight, the pattern was reduced to 4 levels inside the cirrus
clouds, while the length of each leg was extended to get as close as
possible to the rear edge of the system. After take-off at 19:20 UTC
the Falcon climbed to FL 370 to get above the cloud top. Flight legs were
then performed at FL 360 (T = 214K), FL 330 (T = 222K), FL 300 (T = 228K),
and FL 270 (T = 235K). Uppermost and lowermost tracks matched cloud top
and cloud base, respectively, very good. By extending the flight time per
leg, we managed to get almost to the rear edge of the system, as expected.
The cloud system itself turned out to be very homogeneous in the lateral
direction. There was a clear gap between the cirrus deck and clouds at
the lower levels. Most of the instruments worked very well during
this flight.
Total flight time was 3 hours 50 minutes. (Andreas Petzold, mission
scientist)
Landing Time: 23:11 UTC
Mission Flight No. 4 (April 3, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Petzold,
Krejci, Stock, Gayet (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 19:17 UTC
Satellite images of today showed a cirrus field southwest of Punta Arenas
at an altitude of about 350 hPa. Ahead of the cloud field there was an
area of dry air being completely cloud-free. The flight pattern was chosen
such that at the cloud level a distinct part of the flight track should
lead through dry air to get a good contrast between in cloud and out of
cloud.
Take-off for that flight mission was at 19:17 UTC. The upper cirrus
field was found at FL 300 were the flight pattern started. Three transects
were flown at FL 300, FL 310, and FL 320. Respective temperatures were
226 K, 222 K, and 219 K. At all flight levels the clouds showed a very
patchy lateral structure with well developed sequences in cloud and out
of cloud. From that point the observed cirrus clouds showed the lateral
structure cirrus clouds are usually thought to have. After finishing this
three flight legs the following tracks were shifted to the south along
with the wind to catch same air masses again. Two legs at FL 310
and FL 290 were repeated inside clouds as well as ahead of the leading
edge of the cirrus field. The flight was finished by a climb to FL 350
followed by a stacked decent to Punta Arenas. Landing was at 22:38
UTC. (Andreas Petzold, mission scientist)
Landing Time: 22:38 UTC
Mission Flight No. 5 (April 4, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Ström,
Minikin, Baehr, Auriol (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 18:04 UTC
The objective of todays flight was to fly to the southwest to intercept a cloud field that was approaching the continent from the west. The air mass trajectories suggested that this cloud field might be made up of air of different origin. After about a one-hour transfer flight in clear air, but with high clouds around, the Falcon reached the main cloud field. Two longer stretches at flight level (fl) 300 and 280 were performed towards the southwest in rather patchy cirrus. Before returning back an ascent to above the cloud field at fl 330 was shortly followed by a descent to fl 230 in order to get a vertical profile close to the turning point. This two levels where different by some 30 degrees in temperature, and very different crystal shapes. The lowest levels presented the most clear hexagonal type crystals whereas the intermediate levels showed some very complexes shapes. At the upper levels the crystals where generally very small. After reaching the lowest level the aircraft again ascended to fl 260, where it remained until the cloud had been traversed completely. The flight was ended by performing the standard ” Schlager profile”, which means to first climb to fl350 and then make a stepwise descent stopping for some minutes at different levels. All instruments appear to have worked well. (Johan Ström, mission scientist)
Landing Time: 21:45 UTC
Mission Flight No. 6 (April 5, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Petzold,
Seifert, Gayet, Stock (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 16:58 UTC
Forecast for today’s flight showed strong lee wave activities well above Punta Arenas. The flight therefore was dedicated to investigate aerosol-cloud interaction under lee wave conditions. Take-off time was 16:58. During climb to flight level 310 a very thick cloud layer was traversed which extended from 2780 m altitude (T = 265 K) to 9300 m Altitude (T = 228 K). In the lower part a mixture of supercooled droplets and ice crystals was observed. The wave cloud itself was penetrated at flight levels 310 (T = 227 K) and 300 (T = 230 K). At both levels the dry air masses upwind of the lee wave were measured before entering the wave cloud to provide comparison data for the measurements inside the cloud. Additionally the lower flight level was flown twice to measure both NOy and NO. The plume of the Falcon was traversed on the final leg inside the cloud. All instruments worked well during the flight. Landing was at 20:39 (Andreas Petzold, mission scientist).
Landing Time: 20:39 UTC
Mission Flight No. 7 (April 6, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Minikin,
Baehr, Auriol, Seifert (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 22:07 UTC
Today’s flight was scheduled for a take-off at late afternoon to allow for measurements in darkness under conditions of negligible photochemical activity. The satellite image showed a cirrus cloud band extending roughly from north-west to south-east and approaching Punta Arenas from the west. Due to maintenance work at the airport, take-off, originally scheduled for 21:00 UTC, had to be delayed for one hour. Take-off finally was at 22:07 UTC (18:07 local time). During climb to flight level (FL) 330 water clouds were passed between 3400 m and 5100 m altitude. The heading was set south-west in the direction of a point assumed to be well behind the cloud band at 80 degrees west and 60 degrees south. After 30 min of flight in clear sky the cirrus field was reached and entered from above at FL 290. Descent into the cirrus cloud was continued down to FL 250 (236 K) where cirrus was visually still perceivable. Continuing at that level for about 20 min the far end of the cloud field was passed. We returned at that point, climbed to FL 285 (227 K) and re-entered the cirrus close to the top of the clouds, continuing at that level for about 30 min (129 nm distance). During that flight leg, around 19:30 local time (23:30 UTC), it was getting too dark outside to determine visually the presence of cirrus. We decided to return once more to the far end of the cloud and fly two intermediate flight legs at levels FL 275 (outward) and FL 265 (homeward). Cloud particles were detected by the instruments on board at all levels in the flight pattern, however the cloud field proved to be rather patchy. It appeared that in contrast to day-time measurements the concentration of ultra-fine condensation particles in the cloud tops is distinctly lower. On the flight back to Punta Arenas the usual descend profile was flown after a climb to FL 350. Cirrus clouds were penetrated during this descend. Unfortunately, parallel measurements of the ground-based LIDAR of the AWI were not possible due to lower level water clouds over Punta Arenas. Touch-down was at 21:59 local time (1:59 UTC on April 7, 2000). All instruments seem to have performed very well (Andreas Minikin, mission scientist).
Landing Time: 01:59 UTC (April 7, 2000)
Mission Flight No. 8 (April 10, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Minikin,
Baehr, Gayet, Seifert (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 19:35 UTC
The main objective of today's flight was to fly into the very thin and
scattered cirrus which has been observed on many flights before to occur
somewhat separated on top of larger cirrus cloud fields. Satellite pictures
showed a cirrus cloud field approaching from the west. It was expected
that this field would reach Punta Arenas around local evening time allowing
potentially for parallel LIDAR measurements from the ground. Take-off was
at 19:35 UTC (15:35 local time). Course was set to a waypoint lying about
150 nm southwest (heading 240 deg) of Punta Arenas. After climbing to FL
380 some thin and patchy cirrus was encountered occasionally whilst a larger
but scattered cirrus cloud field was visible below. To continue measurements
close to the top of the cirrus clouds we turned around at the outer waypoint
and flew between there and Punta Arenas altogether five more flight legs
at different altitudes (FL 375, FL 370, FL 365, FL 350, FL 345/340). In-between,
one leg was extended to fly directly over Punta Arenas at FL 260 through
cirrus which was observed by the LIDAR system at the same time as was reported
by direct radio communication. The flight ended with a climb to FL 380
and the standard stepwise descent performed this time directly over Punta
Arenas. Again cirrus was encountered which was measured at the same time
by the LIDAR. Landing was at 23:31 UTC (19:31 local time). Though it turned
out that the more homogeneous main cirrus field that was observed on the
satellite image was reached close to the outer waypoint only at the last
two of the six flight legs, the flight was successful in obtaining measurements
at the tops of several cirrus clouds at relatively cold temperatures (down
to -60 deg C). The topmost visible cirrus layers were extremely thin (clearly
much less than 500 ft) and very scattered, therefore measurement times
in individual topmost cloud fractions range from only seconds to minutes
at most. This time there were a few instrument problems (3025 CN
counter and cloud aerosol DMA not working) but apart from that the main
set of instruments performed very well again.
(Andreas Minikin, mission scientist)
Landing Time: 23:31 UTC
Mission Flight No. 9 (April 12, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Ziereis,
Fiebig, Auriol, Seifert (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 13:00 UTC
The flight on April 12 was dedicated to probe a cirrus cloud belt associated
with a jet stream west of Punta Arenas. Take off was at 9 local time.
Landing 12:45. All instruments on board worked well.
A flight pattern was chosen that crossed the cloud belt several times
flying with the wind outside the cloud belt and against the wind
inside the cloud belt. The crossings were performed at the FL330, 320,
310, and 290. The cirrus cloud was hit several times. This was clearly
detected by all particle instruments on board of the Falcon.
Associated with the jet stream was a tropopause fault. This could be
derived by the trace gas and water vapor measurements. In the cloud free,
presumably stratospheric part of the flight track, ozone values up to 200
ppbv and water vapor values down to 10 ppmv. CO was perfectly anticorrelated
with ozone with minimum values of about 20 ppbv.
During the flight back to Punta Arenas an other cirrus cloud was crossed
(Helmut Ziereis, mission scientist).
Landing Time: 16:45 UTC
Mission Flight No. 10 (April 13, 2000)
Crew: Scherdel / Sauer (pilots), Marschall (flight engineer), Minikin,
Krejci, Auriol, Baehr (payload operators)
Take Off Time: 20:56 UTC
Today was the last scientific mission flight from Punta Arenas. It was scheduled for a take-off in late afternoon to repeat cirrus cloud measurements under conditions of low or negligible photochemical activity. A cirrus cloud band connected to a cold front was approaching from the west. After take-off at 20:56 UTC (16:56 local time) we headed southwest to find the cloud tops at around flight level (FL) 350. We then descended to the apparent base of the cirrus cloud layers close to FL 210 continuing out to a distance of 170 nm from Punta Arenas. On that track seven more flight legs were flown at increasing altitudes (FL 250, 275, 280, 300, 330, 335, 350). Unfortunately, the cloud system was moving very quickly south east leaving only rather scattered and dissolving cirrus behind, which was only barely visible after sunset. Therefore there was almost no cirrus encountered above FL 300. However, before landing in Punta Arenas cirrus observations by the LIDAR were reported from ground. Several flight levels were tested in darkness and cirrus was found over Punta Arenas mainly near to FL 290. The LIDAR was measuring at the same time. It appeared that this cirrus cloud was rather stationary and therefore caused by lee wave activity. Landing was at 00:47 UTC (20:47 local time). All flight operations throughout the campaign in Punta Arenas went very smooth and on behalf of all scientists I would like to express our gratitude towards the excellent flight crew. (Andreas Minikin, mission scientist)
Landing Time: 00:47 UTC
Ferry Flight Part I: Punta Arenas - Puerto Montt (Chile)
Ferry Flight Crew: Markus Scherdel, Emil Sauer (pilots), Volker Marschall
(flight engineer), Janine Baehr (payload operator)
Take Off Time: 13:12 UTC
At 13:12 UTC we left Punta Arenas. While the Falcon climbed to Flightlevel 345 we did not enter clouds. The field of stratocumuli was not very dense and at about a 13:45 UTC we could see very well the mountains and glaciers of the national park Torre de Peine. The CO detector measured max. 70 ppb CO as expected in this area. At 14:36 we began to descend. When we landed at 15:00 UTC the weather in Puerto Montt was sunny and only a few high cirrus could be seen. Before the next take off there was about an hour left for calibration of the NO-measurement system. (Janine Baehr)
Landing Time: 15:03 UTC
Ferry Flight Part K: Puerto Montt - Fóz do Iguaçú (Brasil)
The Take off in Puerto Montt was at 16:16 UTC. After about half an hour
we reached the FL 370 and below us was a stratocumuli field. The ozone
concentration at this flightlevel was between 90 and 140 ppb (max. 200
ppb). Above the low cloud level there could be seen thin Cirrus layers.
The Falcon was flying above this highest cloud level (maybe in tropopause).
Particle concentrations (N3) were around 100 pp/cc. After 17:45 UTC the
ozone decreased to ca. 40 ppb propably entering the upper tropospere. Until
18:15 UTC the Falcon was approaching the top of the cirrus layer and about
18:30 UTC this layer was already above the Falcon. Because the cirrus level
was around the cruising altitude the particle counter > 3,5 nm showed higher
counting rates (e.g. 600 pp/cc).
Whereas at the beginning of the flight about 60 ppb CO were measured,
the CO concentration increased continously during the flight and transcended
130 ppb at about 19:00 UTC. In Fóz do Iguaçú heavy
rainfalls were predicted. During the descent we passed several layers of
clouds (in cirrus at FL 370; layer between FL 300 and FL 285; cumuli below
FL 250). Because of the bad weather conditions we had a turbulent landing
(landing about 20:00 UTC). (Janine Baehr)
Landing Time: 19:53 UTC
Ferry Flight Part L: Fóz do Iguaçú - Recife (Brasil)
Before the start (11:55 UTC) it was raining very strongly. The lowest cloud level (scattered cumuli) began at 1500 ft. During the climb we passed several cloud layers (e.g. 12:22 UTC FL 340 in cloud). Above the cumuli nimbus was a thin cirrus layer that we more or less entered in cruising altitude (FL 370). At around 13:00 UTC the clouds dispersed that one could shortly see the Brazilian ground. The low stratocumuli as well as the different higher cloud layers accompanied us until Recife. Being in the upper cirrus layer you could see the halo 22° very well. At cruising altitude the CO concentration was around 130 ppb until 14:10 UTC. Then the CO level dropped to 90 ppb. The ozone concentration did not pass 60 ppb during the whole flight. At 15:20 UTC the descend began. When the Falcon landed at around 15:45 UTC the cloud ceiling was at 3000 ft. (Janine Baehr)
Landing Time: 15:49 UTC
Ferry Flight Part M: Recife - Sal (Cap Verde Islands)
The take off in Recife was at 17:36 UTC (29° C; ceiling of the stratocumuli at 1200 ft). We climbed to FL 370. You could see the Atlantic under some stratocumuli fields. The ozone concentration was varying around 40 ppb. At 19:01 UTC we passed the equator. At 19:45 UTC we observed the cirrus outflow of a cumulus nimbus. After advancing further we measured partly in a thin cirrus layer. From 20:00 UTC on to 20:30 UTC the ozone level increased to 65 ppb. After sunset the moon rose at 20:15 UTC. In the moonshine one could still see the scattered stratocumuli over the ocean and some high cirrus. At 21:13 UTC the Falcon began to descend in order to reach Sal at around 21:30 UTC. (Janine Baehr)
Landing Time: 21:42
Ferry Flight Part N: Sal - Sevilla (Spain)
In Sal the temperature was about 27°C and it was hazy when we started at 13:58 UTC. The first clouds have been in the altitude of 3000 ft. At FL 150 we left the stratus below us. Ozone concentrations in the troposphere were around 50 ppb. At 14:35 UTC we reached the cruising altitude of 37000 ft. The ozone concentration increased slowly reaching its maximum at 160 ppb at about 15:00 UTC. Flying over the Islas Canarias it was often turbulent because of the influence of the jetstream. This phenomenon provoced variations in the NO concentration and the particle counts. After passing the jetstream the Tropopause was according to the weather forecast at FL 400. At 17:10 UTC the Falcon began to descend. Above Spain stratocumuli and a few cirrus clouds could be seen. The maximum CO-concentration measured during this flight was around 160 ppb. The landing was at 17:31 UTC. (Janine Baehr)
Ferry Flight Part O: Sevilla - Oberpfaffenhofen
The Take off in Sevilla was at 11:59 UTC. The lower limit of the stratocumuli was in the altitude of 1400 ft. Above the first cloud layer were a few scattered altocumuli and finally a thin cirrus layer (~ FL 340). The planned cruising altitude – as long as the air traffic it allowed – was FL 350. At 13:00 UTC we followed for some minutes a contrail measuring about 0,5 ppb NO and 1,5 ppb NOy respectively. The Falcon probably crossed another contrail because the concentrations increased for a short period up to 2,5 ppb NO and 4 ppb NOy. At 13:27 UTC we reached the top of a cloud field and the NO concentrations decreased to less than 0,05 ppb NO and 0,4 ppb NOy respectively. After crossing the cloud field one could see the Alps with cirrus clouds above. At 14:30 UTC we landed in the sunny Oberpfaffenhofen. (Janine Baehr)