First local research flight completed

After sunset on 11th September at 20 p.m. HALO took off from Rio Grande Airport performing the first local research flight. It was the first of six research flights performed during night and mainly focusing on atmospheric gravity waves.

During night the ALIMA instrument can measure temperatures above the aircraft up to 90 km altitude which is the mesopause region. The night shift schedule is challenging for crew and ground staff. At least it is usual in Argentina to have dinner late in the evening, so night time on “ground days” can be spend in restaurants to stay in schedule.

HALO on its way to the first local research flight from Rio Grande. Photo: S. Gisinger

Because this flight was going far southward over the Southern Ocean into the Drake Passage, all crew members had to check out the new survival suits. They are carried on board of the aircraft and need to be worn when an emergency occurs.

Crew members testing their survival suits before going on the first flight southward abve the Southern Ocean. Photo: S. Gisinger

Flight planning is already completed for the second research flight which will be performed tonight. Take off is again at 20 p.m. and HALO will chase mountain waves at the southern tip of South America and further north above the highest peaks of the Andes.

And last but not least, the radiosonde team at Rio Grande achieved a “new local record” with one of the balloons. It was the first SouthTRAC sounding from Rio Grande which got above 30 km altitude reaching 32 km. This is an altitude which shall be achieved also today when three more balloons will be released in coordination with the second HALO flight.