Mar 5: Most
of the day was spent badging all the TRACE P people. The aircraft crew were first so they could get access to the
plane as soon as possible. Items
on the C130 were downloaded by the aircraft crew and transported
to the lab by HK airport ground crew. The
lab is actually an airline gate that has not been finished, with
concrete floors, but with power. This
has proven to be adequate so far. The
PI’s are performing instrument testing, calibrations and repairs
on the aircraft when gas bottles and other hazardous materials
are used. The lab has been very useful as a staging area and easy access
to PI “blue boxes”, dry ice, and for mixing some chemicals and
equipment repair.
The C130 was taxied under airport control to
the location of the sea container that was sent in advance and
gas bottles and other items needed by the PI’s at the HK site were
loaded into the C130. The
C130 taxied back to its parking site next to the P3-B and the DC-8. The
C130 is used as the “storage facility” for the gas bottles during
the local flights.
Mar 6: A Press Conference was held for
the HK press followed by a tour of the planes. A
reception was hosted by the HK press for the project, consulates
and local dignitaries. Later
a reception by the Airport Regal Hotel was hosted for all the TRACE
P participants.