7.0 OPERATIONS

The TRACE-P mission deployment depends upon the coordinated efforts of many persons and organizations.  The following sections provide details for each activity associated with the deployment sites, the Team members and airplanes.  Table 7.0-1 provides a one-page summary of these activity and indicates who is involved in their implementation.  

7.1 Functional Organization

TRACE-P is a research project within the NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE) series, managed and funded through the Tropospheric Chemistry Program in the Earth Science Enterprise Office (ESEO).   The Program Manager for the Tropospheric Chemistry Program serves as the TRACE-P Program Manager.  TRACE-P Project activities are managed by the GTE Project Office at NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC).

The functional organization for implementing GTE/TRACE-P is shown in Figure 7.1-1.  Names, organization and telephone numbers of all project personnel are provided in Appendix H. A brief description of the TRACE-P team responsibilities for major functional elements follows:

Tropospheric Chemistry Program Manager: Provides oversight to ensure that the research activities of TRACE-P are in concert with the objectives of the ESEO.  The Program Manager will be the point of contact for coordinating the research activities of TRACE-P with other collaborating U.S. and foreign agencies, if applicable.  The Program Manager will be an ex-officio member of the TRACE-P Science Team.

 GTE Project Office: The GTE Project Manager, with the assistance of the Deputy Project Manager, will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of resources provided to meet the scientific objectives of the TRACE-P mission.  These responsibilities will include (a) interaction with the Tropospheric Chemistry Program management and the management of other collaborating agencies and science teams; (b) overall direction and documentation of project planning, schedules, and field operations; (c) providing for the timely transmittal of all data collected by the project into the LaRC DAAC; and (d) acquisition and reporting of base measurements in support of the mission goals.  Also, in concert with the NASA Office of External Affairs and the U.S. Department of State, determine and assure compliance with host country requirements for foreign country operations. The Project Manager/Deputy Manager will be assisted by the Mission Scientist, Deputy Mission Scientist, Co-Mission Meteorologists, Assistant Project Manager and by the project staff.  The Project Manager (or in his absence the Deputy Project Manager) will be an ex-officio member of the TRACE-P Science Team.

Mission Scientist/Deputy Mission Scientist: Responsible for guidance of all scientific aspects of the expedition, including being the chief scientific spokespersons for the Project, chairing Science Team meetings, and establishing with the Project Manager and PIs, the detailed flight objectives and requirements.  The Mission Scientist will also be responsible for providing overall guidance to the TRACE-P Science Team and for directing publication of the mission results.   The Mission Scientist and Deputy Mission Scientist are responsible, with the advice of the Science Team, for assisting the Aircraft Managers in the preparation of each mission flight plan.

Co-Mission Meteorologists: Responsible for the coordination of all meteorological functions, including forecasting and planning for all aircraft flights and all meteorological data products. Co-Mission Meteorologists are also responsible for determining and, with the aid of the Project Office, arranging for meteorological support at the deployment sites.  They will also chair Science Team meetings in the absence of both the Mission Scientist and the Deputy Mission Scientist.

Principal Investigators: Responsible for the scientific instrumentation/modeling as well as data gathering, reduction, analyses, archival and publication. PIs will also contribute to the mission planning process to ensure the best operational use of their individual experiments/models for the overall science objectives of the TRACE-P mission. Instrument PIs are responsible for determining instrumentation support requirements at the integration and deployment sites and submitting them to the Aircraft Manager or Logistics Manager as appropriate.

Aircraft Managers: Responsible for installation of Project approved PI and Project instrumentation aboard their respective aircraft. Responsible for flight scheduling and for coordination of flight planning activities between Mission Scientist and aircraft flight crew. Responsible for in-flight communications between the science team and the aircraft crew. Responsible for aircraft payload layout, hazard analysis, engineering reviews, and inspections. Coordinates payload installation and check-out, and payload removal. Obtains safety and flight readiness approvals and aircraft diplomatic clearances. Responsible for direct aircraft logistical support, aircraft customs clearances, and transport of aircrew and aircraft science staff to and from airport and hotel upon initial arrival and final departure each non-intensive (e.g. overnight) site.

Aircraft Configuration Manager:  Oversees the installation of all mechanical/electrical additions/deletions to the NASA P-3B airframe for net effect upon structural integrity, handling qualities, performance, and customer safety and comfort.

Aircraft Coordination: Project Office personnel responsible for assisting the Aircraft Manager(s) in the scheduling and coordination associated with the integration of experiments and/or the loading of cargo aboard the aircraft. Also work with the Mission Scientist and PIs to meet mission flight objectives. Is senior Project Office representative in the absence of the Project /Deputy Project Managers.

Site Managers:  A GTE Project Office person will serve as the On-Site Manager at the sites from which the three airplanes operate.  The Site Manager is a single point of contact for the whole TRACE-P Team for all field-related issues associated with support of mission implementation.  The Site Manager will identify issues and coordinate their timely resolution with aircraft, operations, science, and facility representatives.  The Site Manager reports to the Project Manager.  Table 7.1-1 identifies the Site Managers

Logistics: SAIC personnel responsible for all (except direct aircraft) logistical support throughout the expedition, especially for arrangements for shipping, lodging, travel, personnel and equipment transportation at intensive sites, procurement of Project-furnished expendables, and travel expenses for non-NASA and non-foreign participants. Responsible for determining and implementing badging requirements at all sites.

Data Manager and Webmaster: Responsible for the receipt, assembling, archiving, and distribution of PI-submitted and Project data. Responsible for accuracy, currency, format, and content of GTE homepage.

Project Measurements: Investigator responsible for the integration, maintenance, and operation of instrumentation utilized for Project measurements; video display and recording; and real time data distribution to other principal investigators. Also responsible for analysis, reporting, and submission of Project data to the Data Manager for archival.

Aircraft Data Systems: Personnel responsible for integration, maintenance, software development, and operation of Project aircraft data acquisition systems.  Also responsible for real time and post-mission dissemination of Project data to TRACE-P investigators

Publications: Responsible for preparation of the TRACE-P Expedition Plan and JGR Mission Overview Paper. Also assist in the preparation of other Project documentation such as Data Compendium Report, DAAC Data Guide and Data Set Documents, Mission Aircraft Navigational and Meteorological Data Report and Mission Chemical Data Plot Reports

Meteorology: Responsible for assisting the Mission Meteorologists in the assembly, compilation, forecasting, generation, distribution and archival of meteorological information for real time and post-mission use.

Communications: Responsible for establishing Project and PI internet communications at operations sites as required and PI communications between mission aircraft.

Table 7.0-1 Who Plan and Pays

Description/Location	Wallops              P-3B	DFRC P-3B/ C-130 &  DC-8	Kona P-3B/ C-130         & DC-8	Wake         P-3B/C-130	Guam              All	Hong Kong           All	Okinawa       P-3B/DC-8 & All	Yokota All	Iwakuni P-3B	Midway P-3B/ C-130
Engineering	WFF	DFRC	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fabrication	WFF	DFRC	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Flight Hours	WFF	DFRC	Each A/C	WFF	Each A/C	Each A/C	Each A/C	Each A/C	WFF	WFF
Aircraft Crew Travel Expenses	WFF	DFRC	Each A/C	WFF	Each A/C	Each A/C	Each A/C	Each A/C	WFF	WFF
Overtime	WFF	DFRC	Each A/C	WFF	Each A/C	Each A/C	Each A/C	Each A/C	WFF	WFF
P-3B Mission Mgr.	WFF	N/R	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
LN2	SAIC	DFRC	SAIC	C-130	SAIC	SAIC	N/A HK 2&3; C-130	WFF pays; SAIC arranges	P-3B	N/A
CO2 Ice	SAIC	DFRC	SAIC	N/A	SAIC	SAIC	N/A HK 2&3; C-130	WFF pays; SAIC arranges	P-3B	N/A
H2O Ice	SAIC	DFRC	SAIC	N/A	SAIC	SAIC	N/A HK 2&3; C-130	WFF pays; SAIC arranges	P-3B	N/A
C-130	WFF	WFF	WFF	WFF	WFF	WFF	N/A; WFF	WFF	N/A	WFF
Gases	PI	PI	PI; C-130 & DC-8	PI; C-130	PI; C-130	PI	DC-8; C-130	PI	PI; P-3B	PI
Cars	PI	PI	N/A-DC-8 only on return; PI pays	N/A	N/A	N/R	N/R	WFF pays; SAIC arranges	N/A	N/A
Hotel Lodging	PI or contact SAIC for SAIC pay	PI	SAIC blocks, PI reserves and pays	WFF blocks and reserves, PI pays	SAIC blocks and reserves, PI pays	SAIC blocks, PI reserves and pays	DFRC arranges for all and pays over-nights, PI pays transit	SAIC blocks and reserves, WFF pays	WFF	WFF blocks and reserves, PI pays
Flight Lunches	WFF	DFRC	Each A/C	WFF	SAIC plans, each A/C pays	DFRC	DFRC	WFF	WFF	WFF
Bus	N/A	N/A	Westbound DFRC	WFF	SAIC	DFRC	DFRC	N/A	WFF	WFF
Taxis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/R	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fuel Surcharge	N/R	N/R	Each A/C	WFF	SAIC plans, each A/C pays	DFRC	DFRC	WFF	WFF	WFF
Landing Fees	N/R	N/R	Each A/C	WFF	SAIC plans, each A/C pays	DFRC	DFRC	WFF	WFF	WFF
Parking Fees	N/R	N/R	Each A/C	WFF	SAIC plans, each A/C pays	DFRC	DFRC	WFF	WFF	WFF
Badges	Pers. ID	Pers. ID	SAIC	N/R	2 Pers. ID	SAIC	?	2 Pers. ID	?	N/R
Meeting Rooms	WFF	DFRC	N/A; DFRC	N/A	N/A	SAIC	N/R	SAIC arranges, WFF pays	With ACE-Asia	N/A
Cell Phones	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	DFRC pays, SAIC dist. & collect	N/A	SAIC arranges, WFF pays	N/A	N/A
FBO	N/R	N/R	Each A/C	WFF	SAIC plans, each A/C pays	DFRC	DFRC	WFF	WFF	WFF
Internet	WFF	DFRC	N/A	N/A	N/A	SAIC	N/A	SAIC	N/A	N/A
Office Facilities & Equipment	WFF	DFRC	N/A	N/A	N/A	SAIC	N/A	SAIC arranges, WFF pays	With A/A	N/A
Lab Space	WFF	DFRC	N/A	N/A	N/A	DFRC	N/A	SAIC arranges, WFF pays	N/A	N/A
Non-A/C persons Travel Expenses	Indivi-dual	Individual	Individual	Individual	Individual	Individual	Individual	Individual	Individual	Individual

 

 

   

F igure 7.1-1 TRACE-P Project Organization

 

Table 7.1-1 Site Managers

Site	Site Manager	Arrival Date		Departure Date
		Manager	Plane	Manager	Plane
Wallops	John Wells	1/2/01	-	2/22/01	2/22/01
DFRC	Jim Raper	1/5/01	-	2/26/01	2/26/01
Kona	John Wells	2/24/01	2/24/01	2/26/01	2/26/01
Kona	Jim Raper	2/26/01	2/26/01	2/27/01	2/27/01
Wake Isl.	John Wells	2/26/01	2/26/01	2/27/01	2/27/01
Guam	Jim Raper	2/28/01	2/28/01	3/2/01	3/2/01
Hong Kong	Richard Bendura	2/21/01	3/2/01	3/8/01	3/18/01
Hong Kong	Erika Harper	2/21/01	3/2/01	3/20/01	3/18/01
Okinawa	Jim Raper	3/9/01	3/9/01	3/10/01	3/10/01
Okinawa	Jim Raper	3/17/01	3/17/01	3/18/01	3/18/01
Yokota	Richard Bendura	3/9/01	3/18/01	4/6/01	4/4/01
Iwakuni	John Wells	3/26/01	3/26/01	3/27/01	3/27/01
Midway	John Wells	4/3/01	4/3/01	4/7/01	4/7/01
Kona	Jim Raper	4/3/01	4/3/01	4/8/01	4/8/01
DFRC	Jim Raper	4/8/01	4/8/01	4/11/01	-
Wallops	John Wells	4/10/01	4/10/01	4/13/01	-

7.2 Instrument Integration

Integration of instrumentation aboard the P-3B will occur at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility and for the DC-8 at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.  The appropriate Aircraft Manager is responsible for all phases of this activity.  This section will describe procedures and policies for each integration site.

 

7.2.1 General Procedures

Prior to the arrival of experimenters and their equipment at the integration sites, each experiment team must submit an Experimenter Integration Questionnaire to their Aircraft Manager. This document will be used to develop payload hazard analyses, electrical load schedules, mission peculiar cost estimates, data distribution requirements, and laboratory requirements.

Inspections begin at the arrival of an experiment and continue throughout the integration period. To assure success with inspections, experimenters should consult frequently with aircraft inspectors regarding the use of hardware, fasteners, and cable ties.  An Integration Engineer will be available to assist in the design and fabrication of any required mounting brackets and clips, and to advise on problems discovered during inspection.  A daily integration status meeting, chaired by the Aircraft Manager, will keep the experimenter abreast of upcoming milestones and offer a forum for requests for assistance. Timely action will be initiated to resolve problems that may delay the installation schedule.

 Storage bins in which small test equipment, tools, notes, tapes, etc. may be stored are available for panel mounting on the PI racks.  The Aircraft Manager will arrange for these bins on request.

Operation of all equipment should be checked out in the laboratory.  Power connectors for both 60 and 400-Hz, identical to those used in the aircraft, are available.  These connectors should be used to ensure that assembled equipment, in each rack, would not trip the GFI devices in the aircraft.

 

7.2.2 Hangar Safety and Emergency

At DFRC and WFF experimenters work in an environment generally unavailable to the public.  The laboratories are housed in hangers containing other aircraft, and it is sometimes necessary to walk through the hanger and on to the ramp area.  The following precautions must be observed:

(1) No Smoking in the hanger, on the ramp, or aboard the grounded aircraft.

(2) Look out for cables, hoses, boxes, tow bars, moving vehicles, and movement of the hanger doors when crossing the hanger floor.

(3) Do not walk directly across the ramp.  Travel along the edges of the ramp when entering or exiting the DC-8 or P-3B outside.

(4) Do not approach aircraft with engines running.  Jet exhaust or prop wash is dangerous for a considerable distance behind the aircraft.

(5) Review posted evacuation procedures for hydrazine emergencies (Dryden).

 

IN AN EMERGENCY

  If an DFRC or WFF employee is not available for immediate assistance,
dial this number from any phone.  

Dryden- 911 Wallops- 1333

For Emergency Aid, Fire, Accident, Etc.

This emergency number is available at any hour.  Callers should also be able to describe their location (e.g. building and room number) so that emergency help can respond promptly.

 

7.2.3 Inspection  

Before any equipment may leave the laboratory for installation in the aircraft, an inspection is required for its compliance with all safety requirements.  The inspectors are generally available throughout the checkout period, and they should be asked for advice and assistance regarding the need for straps, trays, or other special restraints during the process of assembly.  They also look for other safety hazards, such as equipment with sharp or projecting edges, and they will request that such hazards be corrected (e.g. padding with a suitable material). The inspection will also cover conformity to electrical safety requirements.  The inspector will check to see that all the cabling is properly secured and protected against abrasion.  A check will be made to ensure proper equipment operation without tripping the Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) devices.  

Each item of equipment placed aboard the aircraft must be weighed and it's weight marked on it (removable tape may be used).  The total calculated weight and the overturning moment of each rack can then be readily checked by an inspector. Scales are available in or adjacent to the work area.

 

7.2.4 Installation of Instruments  

Following inspection and approval, aircraft technicians will transport and install the equipment aboard the aircraft.  They will be working to the cabin layout drawings and time schedule provided by the Aircraft Manager.  The experimenters or their representative must be present during installation to advise and assist as necessary.  Following the mechanical installation, the Electronic Technicians will work with the experimenter.  They will complete the cabling installation from the aircraft systems to the experiment, and they will advise as requested on cabling between racks and other experiment equipment.  

No work may be done in the aircraft unless a crewman or other designated representative is present.  (Aircraft doors may not be opened or closed by any experiment personnel).  The aircraft is usually available on a two-shift basis, from 7:30 AM to 11:30 PM.  Additional time, including weekends, requires overtime for the ground crew and must be arranged for in advance with the Aircraft Manager.  Budgetary limitations may preclude time in excess of two shifts on a five-day-week basis.  

If special positioning of the aircraft is required for experiment alignment or checkout, the Aircraft Manager should be notified a week or more in advance.  This will allow time for obtaining the proper approval, and scheduling of ramp activities.  Laser tests may require NASA approvals, which often require several weeks time.

 

7.2.5 Electrical Power  

Power is normally available on the aircraft for checkout when the aircraft is in the hanger or parked on the ramp.  At these times, power comes from the ground generators producing 400-Hz ac. The stability of these sources is not necessarily as well controlled as the aircraft engine generators used in flight.  Power in 60-Hz form is obtained from the electronic converters in the   aircraft, or from an external source of ground power.  

Power distribution in the aircraft is controlled from the Aircraft Manager's station.  Experimenters are not authorized to switch power at this location.  Upon request, one of the aircraft Electronics Technicians, the Aircraft Manager, his assistant, or a member of the ground crew will switch power to the appropriate station.  

Due to periodic maintenance and/or installation procedures, the ground crew may need to shut down electrical power for short periods of time.  If power is needed for an uninterrupted period of time for checkout of experimenter equipment within the aircraft, the Aircraft Manager must be advised well in advance.  This will allow the work of the ground crew on the aircraft to be coordinated with experimenter's needs.  

The Aircraft Manager will designate a time for a power check of all experiments.  Each experiment's power station will be turned on separately to make current measurements at the Aircraft Manager's console.  This procedure is necessary to balance loads among the 60-Hz converters, and to minimize interference among experiments from power transients.  

If EMI is a concern, the experimenter should request simultaneous operation of several experiments to determine if any problems exist.

 

7.2.6 Weight and Balance  

Following equipment installation, before any mission flights, the aircraft will be weighed and the balance calculated to determine the center of gravity.  Thereafter, weight and location of any equipment that is added or removed must be noted on the record sheet for that purpose, posted near the front door of the aircraft.  This procedure is necessary to maintain the current weight and balance record.  Each experimenter is responsible for his own equipment, and must post entries when items are removed (even for short periods of time) or returned.

 

7.2.7 Aircraft Safety and Inspection

While working in the aircraft on the ground, all participants must observe the following safety rules:

(1) No Smoking - aboard the aircraft, in the hanger, or on the ramp.

(2) No Electric Drills - or other tools with universal electric motors may be used in the aircraft. Air-driven drills are available during this period

(3) Only Small, Pencil-Type Soldering Irons - and electronic-grade rosin-core solder may be used on the aircraft.

(4) No High Wattage Heat Guns - are permitted on the aircraft.  If it becomes necessary to heat shrink insulation, the material must be taken off the airplane, where such treatment can be performed safely.

(5) No Volatile Solvents - of any kind, are permitted without prior approval of the Aircraft Manager.

The inspectors will recheck each experiment installation on the aircraft for full conformity with all safety regulations.  Any deficiencies will be noted on an inspection sheet and attached to each rack. These must be signed-off before the first flight.

 

7.2.8 Integration Schedule

Integration activity milestones for the P-3B and DC-8 are included in Tables 7.2.8-1 and 7.2.8-2  

 

 

Table 7.2.8-1 P-3B Integration Schedule for TRACE-P    

Date	Event	Responsibility
Oct 5, 2000	All GTE equipment currently at WFF located and secured in Rm W-146.	Bradford
Oct 24-26, 2000	Georgia Institute of Tech. Lowboy Fit Check onboard WFF P-3.	Young
Oct 27, 2000	Aircraft Transits and Data Flight Tracks prepared and sent to NASA Headquarters for formation of the Diplomatic Clearance Message.	Bradford
Nov 1, 2000	Aircraft back from overhaul
Nov 1-24, 2000	P-3B grounded at WFF for repairs of floorboard, control cables, 90 day maintenance, transversal beam repair, and other misc. repairs	Young and ?
Nov 6, 2000	Flocke probe at WFF to begin installation on DC-8 window plate.	Flocke
Early Nov	2nd Site Survey to Transit and Deployment Sites.	Bradford
Mid Nov	PI’s to ship probes, windows, fairings, and exhaust to WWF for early Dec installation	All PI’s
Nov 27-Dec 1, 2000	Pilot training and crew proficiency training – ONLY WORK WHICH ALLOWS A/C TO BE FLIGHT READY MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED THIS WEEK	Pali
Nov 30, 2000	All external probes at WFF for installation on aircraft during next 2 weeks	PI’s/Bradford
Dec 4-15, 2000	Do not install any external appendages which prevent aircraft flight
Dec 4, 2000	P-3 in hanger for window plate assembly and fuselage installations 1.      Clark - fwd. starboard observation window    ~FS 333 stbd side 2.   Avery/Vay – side fuselage installation             ~FS 520 port side 3.   Sachse – side fuselage installation                   ~FS 630 port side 4.   Blake – rear stbd. Existing fuselage mount       ~FS 700 stbd side 5.   Bandy – rear Port observation window           ~FS 890 port side 6.   Install Doppler Hatch w/Venturi pumps           ~FS 939 center 7.      Install Venturies on top aircraft fuselage            ~FS 770 center   8.   Install Shetter Radiometers 9.      Install GTE Project sensors/probes          a. GPS antenna                                 ~FS 300 center/zenith          b. TAT Probes:                 1. Project                                     ~FS 295 port side                2. TAMMS                                  ~FS 160 stbd side          c. 1011B Hygrometer                ~FS 455 port side          e. JNO2 Radiometers                1. Zenith port                              ~FS 540 center/zenith                2. Nadir port                                ~FS 750 center/nadir          f. Stormscope (antenna & elec.)      ~FS 540 center/zenith           g. Video cameras:                1. Forward view                          Cockpit windshield                 2. Nadir view                               ~FS 870 nadir                3. Side view                                (TBD)            h. Surface Temp. Pyrometer             ~FS 870 center/nadir           i. Video display screens                   Various cabin locations	Piper           Piper/Barrick
Dec 15, 2000	Preliminary OSD for GTE TRACE-P completed Radioactive Material cleared for shipment to WFF (Langley license with GSFC approval).	Bradford Wells/Bradford
Dec 18-29, 2000	Pilot training and crew proficiency flights	Pali
Jan 2-5, 2001	Begin Kondo Probe installation into DC-8 window plate.  ~FS 740 stbd side   Continue installation of unfinished probe assemblies and exhaust assemblies, Eisele and Flocke Installation of Project Video and Base Measurement Instrumentation                  Overhead/forward cabin	Piper/Kondo   Piper Piper/Barrick
Jan 9-12, 2001	Kondo side mounted instrumentation installation phased in where possible Install POWER to each rack during installation
Jan 9, 2001	Upload Eisele/Cantrell instrument rack  ~FS  333 port side Upload Clark instrument rack               ~FS 375 port side Upload Clark double seat	Piper/PI’s
Jan 10, 200	Upload Weber instrument rack             ~FS 445 stbd side Upload Weber double seat	Piper/PI’s
Jan 11, 2001	Upload Avery/Vay/Barrick instru. rack~FS 525 port side Upload Avery/Barrick double seat Upload Proj. Data and Mission Scien. rack       ~FS 650 stbd side Upload Proj. Data double seat                          Install Kondo window plate assembly    ~FS 740 stbd DC-8	Piper/PI’s
Jan 15, 2001	HOLIDAY
Jan 16, 2001	Upload Sachse/Shetter instrumentation rack      ~FS 620 port side Upload Sachse double seat                               ~FS 740 stbd side Upload Kondo instrumentation rack ALL PROBE ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED	Piper/PI’s
Jan 17, 2001	Upload Flocke instrumentation rack                  ~FS 760 port side	Piper/PI’s
Jan 23, 2001	Upload Blake instrumentation rack                    ~FS 860 stbd side Upload Blake double seat Upload ACM double seat                               ~FS 1000 port side	Piper/PI’s
Jan 24, 2001	Upload Bandy single seat Upload Bandy instrumentation rack                   ~FS 890 port side	Piper/PI’s
Jan 26, 2001	“POWER” to all racks completed and initial checkout of all experimenter stations verified as working	Piper
Jan 29-Feb. 2, 2001	Complete installation all gas bottle racks Finish any seat installations Finish installation of video and serial distribution equipment Finish ICS headsets at all stations Finish any PI installation work QA all installations	Piper  Piper Barrick/Piper Piper Piper McNally
Feb 5, 2001	ALL ARB actions finalized and written approval to proceed completed.  All PI’s en route or at WWF to participate in tomorrow’s real time instrumentation tests.	Cording
Feb 6, 2001	All instrumentation “POWER-UP” in hanger for RFI and POWER budget checks. All instrumentation/Engine run “POWER-UP” on ramp	Bradford/Piper Pali/Bradford
Feb 6, 2001	Final QA and ARB walk through of P-3B   Hazard Analysis Completed	McNally/Cording Bradford
Feb 7, 2001	Mandatory Aircraft Safety Briefing Flight Readiness Review	Pali Bradford
Feb 8, 2001	P-3B Engineering Check Flight – 2 hours, instru. checkout	Young
Feb 9, 2001	GTE TRACE-P Test Flight # 1 (all systems test) - 3 hours of Flight Profile #1   Post Flight Review	Bradford/Crawford Bradford/Wells
Feb 12, 2001	GTE TRACE-P Test Flight # 2 – 4 hours of Flight Profile #2 Post Flight Review	Bradford/Crawford Bradford/Wells
Feb 15, 2001	GTE TRACE-P Test Flight # 3 -  6 hours of  Flight Profile # 3 Post Flight Review	Bradford/Crawford Bradford/Wells
Feb 16, 2001	All equipment to be transported on the C-130 at N-159 hangar ready for loading	PI’s
Feb 19, 2001	HOLIDAY
Feb 21, 2001	Load C-130 A/C with essential baggage	Piper
Feb 22, 2001	BEGIN GTE TRACE-P – Transit/data Flight, WFF to Dryden – 7 hrs.	Pali/Bradford

 

 

Table 7.2.8-2  DC-8 Integration Schedule for TRACE-P  

Date	Event	Responsibility
Jul-Dec 2000	Engineering design & fabrication of DC-8 experiment interfaces
NLT Dec 22, 2000	Experiment integration equipment arrives. Probes, cabling, wiring runs, plumbing, windows, and farings.
Jan 02, 2001	Complete Experiment Conformance Reviews
Jan 03, 2001	Chief Engineer’s Review
Jan 04, 2001	DC-8 Crew Hazard Briefing
Jan 02-05, 2001	Begin Installation of TRACE-P experimenter wire runs and plumbing, probes, windows, and fairings
Jan 08–14, 2001	All experiment investigation teams at DFRC. Attend Hangar 1623 Safety briefing. Final rack build-up, inspection, and weigh-in begins. ICATS upload.
Jan 15, 2001	HOLIDAY  (facility access on request only)
Jan 16-25, 2001	Rack installation. Racks must be inspected and weighed prior to loading. Install a/c power and DADS connections. Begin experiment system operability and power checks.
Jan 18, 2001	ICATS CCB for operational approval
Jan 22, 2001	ICATS Ground Operations Go/No Go
Jan 25, 2001	Complete rack upload. Continue power and ICATS installations and experimenter systems checks. Begin inspections for flightworthiness. Once an experimenter clears inspection he/she may leave Dryden.  A representative from each experiment must return for the Power Check on 30 Jan. All personnel must attend the Mandatory Experimenter Safety Briefing on 12 Feb.
Jan 29, 2001	Tech Brief
Jan 30, 2001	Power-up Check. A representative from each experiment must be in attendance to power up his/her equipment. This is a check of the power system balance, and a functional check for electrical interference between experimenters.
Jan 31, 2001	Roll-out. The aircraft is towed out of the hangar. All racks must be secured prior to roll-out. All windows, probes, and associated plumbing are installed and inspected. Aircraft is pressure checked, defueled, and weighed. No access to the aircraft until cleared by the Crew Chief. Weight management begins on aircraft. All flight items brought aboard or removed, weighing >10 lbs., must be logged (wt. and sta.#).
Feb 01, 2001	Engineering Check Flight in AM. ICATS Test Flight in PM. No experimenter access.
Feb 02, 2001	Pilot Proficiency Test Flight
Feb 09, 2001	RVSM Certification Flight and ICATS Performance Checks
Feb 02-10, 2001	Ground LASER Calibrations
Feb 12, 2001	Mandatory Experimenter Safety Briefing.
Feb 14, 2001	Experimenter test flight #1.
Feb 15, 2001	Operational Readiness Review
Feb 16, 2001	Experimenter test flight #2.
Feb 19, 2001	HOLIDAY (facility access on request only)
Feb 20, 2001	Experimenter test flight #3.
Feb 21, 2001	C-130 Cargo staged by noon.  Reserved for backup test flight if required
Feb 22, 2001	C-130 and P-3B arrive from WFF
Feb 23, 2001	Load C-130
Feb 24, 2001	C-130 and P-3B depart for Kona, HI
Feb 26, 2001	Start Deployment. Transit flight to Kona, HI
Feb 27, 2001	Transit to Anderson AB, Guam  (Cross Dateline and arrive 28 Feb)
Mar 02, 2001	Transit to Hong Kong.  (Local flights include an out-and-back to Okinawa on 9-10 Mar)
Mar 14, 2001	Transit to Yokota AB, Japan
Mar 17, 2001	Transit to Okinawa
Mar 18, 2001	Transit to Yokota AB, Japan (local flights include out-and-back to Okinawa on 30-31 Mar)
Apr 04, 2001	Transit to Kona, HI  (Cross Dateline and arrive 03 Apr) (one local flight on 05 Apr)
Apr 09, 2001	Transit to DFRC.  End Deployment
Apr 10-13, 2001	Download payload.

 

7.2.9 Aircraft Floor Plans

Figures 4.2-1 and 4.2-2 show experiment locations aboard the DC-8 and P-3B.

 

7.2.10 Supplies and Expendables at Integration Sites

In general, the NASA GTE Project Office provides only commonly used expendables such as liquid nitrogen and dry ice.   PIs will supply their own dewars and transfer tubes.  Specialized gases and supplies unique to an experiment are the responsibility of the investigator teams.  Appendix I lists liquid nitrogen and dry ice requirements by both PI group and site, including both Wallops and Dryden.

 

7.2.11 Visitor Control

Personnel at Dryden or Wallops for integration activities will have badges issued at the Badge and Pass Office listing the point of contact (Mark Pestana, Dryden; Dick Bradford, Wallops) and other pertinent information. The face of the badge may or may not include a reference to the airplane. The badge is to be visible at all times while on the Center.  This badge will also be used to determine whether a person can be on the aircraft. This badge should be with aircraft passengers throughout the mission. 

 

7.3 Experiment On-board Hardware

Tables M.1-1 and M.2-2 summarize experiment hardware aboard the P-3B and DC-8, respectively.  The weight given includes all weight associated with the experiment:  rack, instrumentation, exhaust(s), inlet(s), gas bottles, passenger(s), seat(s), dewars, pumps, personal equipment, etc.  The first number given in the "number of operators" column indicates the number of operators during a transit flight and the second number given indicates the number of operators during intensive flights.  The "blue boxes" column indicates the number and size of box.  The "external mounts" column indicates the number of inlets (through flow), number of probes (no flow), the number of nadir/zenith sensors, and the number of other appendages.  In the "exhaust ports" column the number of exhausts with and without venturis is indicated along with the number of bulkhead (BH) fittings for exhausts.  In the "type power" column, the voltage is indicated first and the frequency in hertz is indicated second, the number of phases is indicated third and the number of amps for that type circuit is indicated fourth.  In the gases column, ‘B’ designates  the number of bottles below the floor and ‘R’ designates the number of bottles adjacent or in a rack.  Tables M.2-1 and M.2-2 summarize the gases aboard the P-3B and DC-8, respectively.  Each gas is pure unless otherwise noted in the ‘Dilution’ column

 

7.4 Aircraft Operation Sites

The P-3B and DC-8 aircraft will have combined overnight stopovers or operational stays at 8 different sites (see Table 7.4-1).  Appendix L presents relevant information about each site.  Examples are:  lodging location and phone number; per diem allowances; electrical voltage and frequency; international phone access numbers; US embassy or consulate locations and phone numbers; and time zone information.

 

Table 7.4-1.TRACE-P Operations Sites

SITE	AIRCRAFT
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia	P-3B, C-130
Dryden Flight Research Center, California	DC-8, P-3B, C-130
Kona, Hawaii	DC-8, P-3B, C-130
Wake Island	P-3B, C-130
Guam	DC-8, P-3B, C-130
Hong Kong	DC-8, P-3B, C-130
Yokota Air Force Base, Japan	DC-8, P-3B, C-130
Midway Island	DC-8, P-3B, C-130

 

 

7.5 Logistics

The NASA GTE Project Office is responsible for all PI logistical support at the following sites: Wallops Flight Facility, Dryden Flight Research Center, Hong Kong International Airport, and Yokota, Air Base, Japan. NASA Wallops and NASA Dryden are responsible for supporting the P-3B and DC-8, respectively.

The NASA GTE Project Office will coordinate the PI shipping operation through Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).  PI's may use the Project's shipping contractor to ship their equipment to and from the aircraft integration sites, and to and from the intensive sites.  Shipments to all sites will be via surface transportation whenever possible.  For TRACE-P a cargo aircraft will transport the DC-8 and P-3B's aircraft support equipment, blue boxes, and PI luggage along the TRACE-P flight path.

At each intensive or overnight site, the Project Office will coordinate for lodging accommodations, meeting rooms, certain cryogenics, and field laboratory facilities for every deploying mission participant.

The NASA GTE Project Office, through SAIC, will financially support all non-NASA TRACE-P investigators' allowable travel expenses associated with the planning of and participating in TRACE-P.  Travel costs for government employees or non-US PI group foreign nationals will be covered by their organizations.  The NASA GTE Project Office pays for all TRACE-P shipping operations coordinated by SAIC.

 

7.5.1 Shipping  

Both the DC-8 and P-3B have very limited space for storing support equipment and supplies on board.  Therefore, the SAIC GTE Project Office will arrange for shipments to pre-stage the support equipment and supplies for all investigators.

Shipping Agent: The SAIC GTE Project Office has contracted with AFC Worldwide Express to coordinate and expedite both foreign and domestic shipping.  AFC will arrange for pick-up of equipment and supplies at the PI location for delivery to DFRC and/or WFF and to the intensive sites. AFC's overseas agents will expedite shipments through customs and handle return shipment operations.

Advance Shipping (Ocean): Advance boat shipments will be made to Hong Kong and Yokota Air Base, Japan.  All equipment and supplies needed at the intensive sites but not needed for experiment integration at DFRC or WFF should be included in these shipments.

Cargo Shipping: The WFF C-130 has been dedicated to TRACE-P to transport blue boxes, aircraft support equipment, and other mission equipment which can neither be pre-shipped nor carried on the mission aircraft.  The C-130 will follow the P-3B during the mission.

Shipping Between Intensive Field Sites: Individuals flying on commercial airlines may transport equipment as personal luggage subject to normal constraints and charges.  To avoid excess size and weight charges, items should be boxed such that sum of the length, width, height does not exceed 62 inches, and total weight is 70 lbs. or less.

Shipping Responsibilities:  The SAIC GTE Project Office is responsible for overseeing the shipping contract with AFC Worldwide Express.  AFC is responsible for all shipping procedures and coordination.

 PI's will:

·        maintain shipping weights within proposal estimates;

·        contact AFC Worldwide Express for coordination of pick-ups;

·        crate and label shipping items, following AFC's instructions;

·        provide a complete list of each container's contents, following AFC's instructions;

·        label and document Hazardous Materials per national and international shipping regulations for overland, air, and sea shipments as applicable;

·        ship emergency items from the US after DC-8 or P-3B deployment;

·        ship samples from foreign sites to analysis labs (Project Office can assist);

·        provide any required licenses or permits for shipping specialized equipment (if you have such equipment, contact AFC for further information);

            ·        prepare return shipments from each intensive and offload site, again following AFC's instructions.

Payment for Shipping: A GTE account will be established with AFC Worldwide Express for all shipping.  PIs may charge all items listed in their proposals or approved by the SAIC Project Office to this account. 

Shipping Computers: Generally, any U.S. bought computer and ancillary devices can be temporarily exported to support this mission as long as the same is returned upon completion.  However, if a computer is part of the equipment you will ship in support of TRACE-P, contact AFC Worldwide Express for shipping guidelines

S  Shipping Guidelines  

Equipment and expendable gases (Liquid Nitrogen and dry ice) required for TRACE-P will be shipped via either the NASA C-130 cargo aircraft or by using pre-shipments.  Where and when the item will be needed will determine which method is appropriate.  Equipment and expendables will be pre-shipped only to the integration and deployment sites.  Sites for aircraft/instrument integration will be Wallops for the P-3B and Dryden for the DC-8. Deployment sites will be Hong Kong and Yokota Air Base, Japan.  Transit sites will be Dryden, Hilo Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam and Midway Island.  Only personnel assigned as passengers (crew and instrument operators) on the P-3B, DC-8 and C-130 will go to the transit sites unless prior approval is received from the NASA GTE Project Office.  A limited amount of equipment and expendables can be carried on the C-130 to the transit sites.  The P-3B is unable to carry any equipment and expendables; the DC-8 is limited to a small amount.  

All possible equipment and expendables must be pre-shipped to the deployment sites.  The only items that will be considered for transport aboard the C-130 are those that are either needed at the integration sites but which must also be carried on deployment, or are needed at the transit sites.  The Project Office will supply PI-identified amounts of LN2 and wet and dry ice at all sites.  Local suppliers will be used at the integration and deployment sites.  PI-identified amounts of these expendables will be transported aboard the C-130 to the transit sites.  Each PI must supply his other expendables such as gases, chemicals, water, etc.  These items will be either pre-shipped to the deployment sites or carried aboard the C-130 for use at transit sites.  Items to be carried aboard the C-130 can be shipped to either Wallops, for P-3B instruments, or Dryden for DC-8 instruments.  PI’s having items on the C-130 are expected to assist in loading and unloading.  PI’s should contact Roy Chesson, SAIC GTE Project Office, to coordinate the shipment of items aboard the C-130

The SAIC GTE Project Office will review the questionnaires that have been returned by the PI groups and will distribute to each PI group a summary of their C-130 cargo requirements.  Each PI group will need to review the summary and either confirm the information or provide changes.  PI’s should coordinate TRACE-P pre-shipments directly with the mission-contracted freight forwarder as detailed in the next section.

IN SUMMARY

Aircraft Loads:

P3-B: carries only instruments, operators and crew. 

DC-8: carries only instruments, operators, crew, overnight bags, and luggage.  Luggage will not be accessible at all transit sites; overnight bags will be accessible. 

C-130:  carries P-3B overnight bags and luggage; blue boxes for both aircraft; expendables, gases, etc. for both aircraft; aircraft equipment for both aircraft. At every site, the C-130 will be accessible for P-3B overnight bags, site designated expendables, and critical blue boxes.  P-3B luggage will not be accessible at transit sites.

Pre-shipments:   

To Wallops:  items needed to support P-3B integration and items to go on C-130 as cargo including expendables needed for all transit flights to Hong Kong.

To Dryden:  items needed to support DC-8 integration; items to go on C-130 as cargo, including expendables needed for all transit flights to Hong Kong; items for P-3B during both transit stops.

Kona, Wake Island, Guam, Okinawa, Iwakuni and Midway Island:  no pre-shipments.

Hong Kong:  All equipment needed that was not required for integration or at transit sites.  This includes all gases that will be needed in Hong Kong.

Yokota Air Base:  All equipment needed that was not required for integration or at transit sites.  This includes all gases that will be needed at Yokota and gases needed for return transit to US.

Source of Expendables: At Wallops and Dryden: the Project Office will purchase PI-designated amounts of LN2 and wet and dry ice from local suppliers.  Gases and other expendables will come from PI pre-shipments. At Kona, Wake Island, Guam and Midway Island: gases, etc. needed for change-out on DC-8 and P-3B will come from the C-130. At Kona and Guam: the Project Office will purchase PI-designated amounts of LN2 and wet and dry ice from local suppliers. At Wake Island and Midway where there are no local LN2 or ice suppliers: the C-130 will carry PI-designated amounts of LN2 and wet and dry ice for replenishment of both the DC-8 and P-3B instruments.

For the overnight flights (DC-8 to Okinawa and P-3B to Okinawa and Iwakuni):  Pi’s will need to carry on the DC-8/P-3B any expendables they will need for the return flight.  This includes LN2 and dry ice.

7.5.2 Travel Support Coordination  

SAIC-Supported Participants:  The NASA GTE Project Office, through SAIC, will fund TRACE-P PI allowable travel expenses for all approved non-NASA participants in accordance with NASA and SAIC travel regulations.  SAIC-supported personnel will make their own commercial flight reservations by contacting SAIC Travel.  Please e-mail preferred itineraries to BOTH Leanne Hester (carole.l.hester@saic.com) AND Tanja Grande (tanja.grande@saic.com).  Due to the volume of requests received, e-mail is the preferred method of contacting SAIC Travel.  If you must phone SAIC Travel (l-800-435-1491 or 757-826-3248), please call during normal working hours (Eastern time) and speak with Leanne Hester or Tanja Grande.  For full complete travel and reimbursement procedures and instructions, SAIC-supported travelers should refer to Erika Harper's e-mail dated December 5.  This information is also available on the SAIC Project Support Office's website, http://lposun.larc.nasa.gov/pso/ (GTE>SAIC TRACE-P Logistics>Information for Supported Travelers).

NASA and Other Government Participants: These personnel are expected to make travel arrangements according to the procedures of their organizations.

Rental Cars: Rental cars are authorized at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Yokota Air Base, and Kona (DC-8 travelers on the return portion [April 3 - 8] only), under the guideline of one vehicle per PI aircraft team.  Each team is responsible for making its own rental car arrangements at Wallops and Dryden.  SAIC-supported participants should coordinate their reservations through the SAIC Travel Office.  SAIC will make the arrangements for the PI groups in Yokota.  Except for Yokota, where the Project will pay directly for rental cars, all participants will pay for their own rental cars.  Payments will be reimbursed after travel vouchers have been submitted.  NOTE:  per government travel regulations, NASA personnel are not authorized to travel in contractor-rented vehicles (contractors include non-NASA PIs).  However, contractors can be passengers in vehicles rented by NASA personnel.  Taxis or project-arranged transportation (shuttle bus, etc.) will be at all other locations. 

Special note concerning Hong Kong transportation:  Because the Project's contracted lodging facility is co-located with the airport from which TRACE-P will be working, and because there are numerous restaurants in both the hotel and the adjoining airport, it is the Project's policy that train, taxi and other "mass transit" expenses will be considered a personal expense.  Only such expenses incurred for business purposes are considered a business expense.  The Project will arrange and directly pay for transportation (shuttle bus) between the hotel/airport, the TRACE-P laboratory facilities, and the NASA airplanes.

 

7.5.3    Passports, Visas and Access Badges

Passports:  All TRACE-P participants must have a valid passport with an expiration date at least six months past the date of the end of the mission.

Visas:  Visa requirements can be found in Appendix J -- Passports and Visas.

Anyone requiring a visa should check with the embassy or consulate of the country being visited regarding specific requirements for obtaining a visa.  Neither NASA nor the SAIC GTE Project Office personnel can obtain visas for travelers.  The Project Office can provide letters describing the mission and substantiating the applicant’s participation.  The Project Office can also support any required travel to an embassy or consulate.  NASA and other U.S. Government employees using official passports should check with their own organizational sources for obtaining visas.

Access Badges:  Personnel information sheets are required from all TRACE-P participants for all TRACE-P operational sites (NASA Wallops Flight Facility; NASA Dryden Flight Research Center; Kona, HI; Wake Island; Guam; Hong Kong; Yokota Air Base; and Midway Island).

Specific badge requirements for each location are:

NASA Wallops Flight Facility:  badge required; coordinated by D. Bradford at
NASA WFF

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center:  badge required; coordinated by D. Winfield at NASA DFRC

Kona, HI:  badge required; coordinated by SAIC GTE Project Office; those traveling to Kona must submit 2 passport-size photos to SAIC

Wake Island:  badge not required

Guam:  badge not required; participants must carry two (2) forms of identification with them at all times

Hong Kong:  badge required; coordinated by SAIC GTE Project Office (those traveling to Hong Kong and who require aircraft or laboratory area access must return completed badge form to SAIC):  photo will be taken upon arrival in Hong Kong

Yokota Air Base:  badge not required; participants must carry two (2) forms of identification with them at all times

Midway Island:  badge not required

PI's will identify all group members who require badges for DC-8 or P-3B aircraft access in the airport operational areas. The SAIC GTE Project Office will coordinate with the appropriate airport security offices for badge information requirements and submission dates.

All TRACE-P participants should submit two (2) passport-sized photos to the SAIC GTE Project Office.  These photos are exclusive of any required for visas.  Please write on the back of each photo the name of the person in the photo and mail to:

 

SAIC

GTE Project Office

One Enterprise Parkway

Suite 300

Hampton, VA  23666-5845

757-827-4858 (phone)

 

These photos are a reimbursable expense for both SAIC-supported participants and NASA employees.

In lieu of a badge, Yokota Air Base requires that all participants carry two (2) forms of picture identification with them at all times (e.g. passport and US driver's license).  

 

7.5.4 Worldwide Caution Statement

The following statement was issued as a public announcement by the U. S. Department of State on January 5, 2001.

 

The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility for terrorist actions against United States citizens and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded of the need to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security. This Public Announcement is not in response to any one particular threat or event but to emphasize the U.S. Government's ongoing concern for the security of Americans overseas.

 

The Department of State continues to receive reports that prompt concern about the safety and security of both official U.S. Government personnel and private American citizens worldwide. As always, we take this information seriously. As a result, U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. In addition, U.S. Government facilities have and will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy.

 

In light of the above, U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness to reduce their vulnerability. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. In addition, American citizens are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report their presence to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended, if at all possible, and should be kept locked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions.

 

U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets at http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html, and regional travel brochures at http://travel.state.gov/travel_pubs.html, all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. We will continue to provide updated information should it become available. American citizens overseas may contact the American Citizens Services unit of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. In addition, American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting the Embassy or Consulate.

 

This Public Announcement replaces the Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution of October 12, 2000, and it expires on June 7, 2001

 

7.5.5 Emergency Contact Information

In the case of an emergency, messages may be provided to personnel in the field by contacting Don Scott at NASA Langley GTE Project Office.  Please limit such messages to emergencies.  Assistance in establishing contact will be appreciated.  Don may be contacted as follows:

Work phone:  757-864-4430
Work fax:  757-864-5841
e-mail: a.d.scott@larc.nasa.gov
Home phone:757-874-3121
Home Fax: 757-874-3368
Home e-mail:  telatax@juno.com

7.5.6 Personal Baggage on DC-8 and P-3B

Personal baggage is generally of two types: suitcase containing all personal items for the deployment duration and an overnight bag containing personal items sufficient for a few days without access to a larger suitcase.  P-3B personnel suitcases and overnight bags will be carried on the C-130.  DC-8 personnel suitcases and overnight bags will be carried on the DC-8.  Weight estimates are based on 50 lbs. for a suitcase and 20 lbs. for an overnight bag.

 

7.5.6.1 Storage and Access

DC-8 personnel suitcases will be stored in the DC-8 cargo and will not be accessible in flight.  DC-8 personnel overnight bags will be stored in the DC-8 cabin and will be loaded and unloaded at every stop by the owner. 

P-3B and DC-8 personnel suitcases will be removed from the planes at the deployment sites, but will not generally be removed at the transit stops.  The P-3B suitcases will be accessible at Hilo (eastbound and westbound).  P-3B overnight bags will be accessible at all deployment and transit stops.  The DC-8 suitcases will be accessible at Guam (westbound) 

Carry-on items can be stored in the DC-8 overhead bins.  The P-3B has no usable overhead storage bins.

 

7.5.6.2 Computers

The SAIC GTE Project Office is unaware of any restrictions or requirements concerning the temporary importation of computers and ancillary devices into any TRACE-P site.  Generally, any U.S.-bought computer and ancillary device can be temporarily exported to support this mission as long as the same is returned upon completion.         

 

7.5.7 Lodging  

Note:  Specific information concerning reimbursement of lodging and other expenses was disseminated to SAIC-supported travelers.  Questions concerning those procedures should be addressed to the SAIC GTE Project Office at 757-827-4858.

NASA Wallops Flight Facility Area:  All PI’s and mission participants are responsible for all aspects of their own lodging arrangements in WFF area during the integration and downloading phases of the mission, unless they have made arrangements with the SAIC Project Support Office (see below).  PI’s and participants will deal directly with the hotel or a rental property agency for all required arrangements.  Any PI groups receiving SAIC support that are planning to share lodging arrangements (i.e., 2 or more group members living in a house or in an extended living hotel), please contact the SAIC GTE Project Office prior to making any arrangements.  Participants are responsible for paying their own hotel bills.  Participants will be responsible for any extra expenses incurred due to failure to notify the hotel of changes.  See Appendix L (Lodging, Ground Transportation, and Per Diem Rates) for a list of hotels in the WFF area, as well as per diem information.

 

Note:  Some SAIC-supported travelers may have made arrangements with the Project Office for lodging directly paid by GTE.  Those individuals should follow the instructions provided directly to them by the SAIC GTE Project Office.

 

Lodging DFRC Area: All PI’s and mission participants are responsible for all aspects of lodging arrangements in the DFRC area during the integration and downloading phases of the mission.  PI’s and participants will deal directly with the hotel or a rental property agency for all required arrangements.  However, for those arriving at NASA DFRC on the P-3 or C-130 aircraft in either February or April, Dick Bradford, P-3 Mission Manager, has made a block reservation for the group at the Inn of Lancaster.  Participants need not put the reservation in their own name; rooms are being held in Dick Bradford's name and will be changed upon check-in.  Any PI groups receiving SAIC support that are planning to share lodging arrangements (i.e., 2 or more group members living in a house or in an extended living hotel), please contact the SAIC GTE Project Office prior to making any arrangements.  Participants are responsible for paying their own hotel bills.  Participants will be responsible for any extra expenses incurred due to failure to notify the hotel of changes.  See Appendix L (Lodging, Ground Transportation and Per Diem Rates) for a list of hotels in the DFRC area, as well as per diem information.

Lodging at Intensive Field Sites:  The SAIC GTE Project Office has pre-selected hotels in Hong Kong, and Yokota based on operational considerations, cost, and availability.  All participants are expected to stay at the selected hotels.  Please see Appendix L for hotel names, and addresses, as well as specific information concerning reservations, payment, and per diem rates.

Lodging at Transit Sites:  .Please see Appendix L for hotel names, and addresses, as well as specific information concerning reservations, payment, and per diem rates.

Ø      Lodging Per Diem at Integration/Offload Sites and Intensive Field Sites:  NASA travel regulations treat per diem for foreign travel the same as domestic travel:  When applicable, lodging reimbursement will equal actual expenses up to a maximum amount, and a fixed daily meal allowance will be given.

*Allowable per diem rates are the same for NASA and SAIC-supported participants.  Throughout the Expedition Plan, discussions concerning per diem rates apply to SAIC-supported (i.e. non-US government) participants, but the information should be similar for US government personnel.  Some variations may exist for some aspects among various government organizations; those not supported by NASA or SAIC should check with their own organizations for specific regulations.

  

7.5.8 Medical Considerations  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://www.cdc.gov./travel/index.htm) and NASA (http://ohp.ksc.nasa.gov/topics/traveler) provide guidance for travelers on the web which the GTE Project Office urges all participants to access.  Generally, one should practice the same health precautions in Hong Kong and Japan as are appropriate to the US.  Persons with potentially serious medical problems are requested to contact the GTE Expedition Manager to work out contingency plans for medical attention, if the need should arise.

Each participant should be aware that NASA and the GTE Project Office does not provide any health or life insurance for personnel involved in the TRACE P Expedition, although life insurance is available upon application to federal employees. Each individual should determine if and how their present coverage is effected if flying aboard a government aircraft such as the NASA DC-8 or the NASA P-3B. Note also that federal employees are covered 24 hours per day, while in travel status, by the Federal Employees Compensation Act. This act provides compensation for disability due to personal injury sustained while in the performance of duty or to an employment-related disease. Most states provide similar coverage to non-federal employees. When required, one must secure medical attention as appropriate, retain receipts and file a claim after return from the mission.

Please refer to Appendix N for additional details.

 

7.5.9 Supplies and Expendables

 

Integration and Intensive Sites

In general, the NASA GTE Project Office provides only commonly used expendables such as liquid nitrogen and dry ice.   PIs will supply their own dewars and transfer tubes.  Specialized gases and supplies unique to an experiment are the responsibility of the investigator teams.  Appendix I lists liquid nitrogen and dry ice requirements by both PI group and site, and also includes operational equipment planned for each intensive location

 

7.5.10        Field Communications Systems

The GTE Project Office will be responsible for insuring that the necessary communication systems are available for conducting the TRACE-P mission.  In general, this will include, dedicated telephone and fax service at the TRACE-P Operations Centers at each intensive site.  Additionally, a satellite communication system will be used as the prime communication link for access of meteorological parameters for flight planning.  Telephone and fax service will also be installed in the intensive site laboratory facilities when possible.

 

7.5.10.1 Intensive Sites

Telephone, fax service, and a satellite communication system will be provided by the GTE Project Office at the operations center at each intensive site.  Cellular phones may be provided to the Mission Scientists, Aircraft Managers, and Project Representatives at some sites, depending upon the availability of normal public telephone service.  When cellular phones are provided, they are to be used only for local, in-country calls, and only when local telephone service is not available.  No long distance telephone calls are to be made on the cellular phones. Use of the satellite system is described in Section 7.5.8.5.  All of the communication services provided by the GTE Project Office are to be used only for conducting official business related to the TRACE-P mission.

 

7.5.10.2 Personal Communications

No personal communications or communications related to non-GTE business are to made on the project-provided communications systems.

Personal phone calls will be reimbursed as follows:

Domestic
Daily (must include overnight)	Not to exceed average of 1 call/day
	Not to exceed $5/day
Foreign
Daily (must include 2 overnights)	Not to exceed average of 1 call/day
	Not to exceed $7/day

Note that government calling card cannot be used for personal calls, however for official business calls, the use of the government card precludes the need for any record keeping.

 

7.5.10.3 Integration Sites and Transit Site Stops

No special communication systems or services will be provided at the aircraft integration sites or the transit site stops.  Reimbursement for calls from these sites will be subject to the same limitations as previously presented for the intensive sites.

 

7.5.10.4 Internet

Internet access will be established at Yokota Air Base through their Network Operations Center. The primary connection at Yokota will be dial-up with connection speeds up to 33.6Kbs (Note: standard RJ11 blocks/jacks are used). The project office has arranged to obtain limited access to T1 lines using RJ45 jacks to download large files. T1 access is limited to GTE Project Office use only.

 Internet access will be established at Hong Kong through a local Internet Service Provider. The connection is anticipated to be dial-up with a connection speeds up to 56Kbs. The telephones will have an analog data port to plug your modem into. Do not plug modems directly into wall jacks, many of these are digital and may destroy or damage your modem. An Ultra-line connection (access speeds up to 1.5Mbps using 10/100Mbs Ethernet card) will be available in Hong Kong also.

 There will be no Internet access provided at Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam or Midway. Limited access may be available through the satellite communication system.

 

7.5.10.5 Satellite Communication Systems

 INMARSAT B: A portable INMARSAT B satellite-based communication system, coupled to the "remote-based" PC, will provide the communication link for a high data rate (56/64 KBPS) PC-to-PC transfer of the meteorology products (e.g. calculated and satellite images) stored on the home based PC located at Florida State University (FSU).

The communication system will have the capability for voice, low-speed Internet access, and direct PC-to-PC high-speed data transfer.  Because of the high cost of airtime, only the PC-to-PC communication will be used, except for emergencies as determined by the GTE Project Office.

The GTE Project Meteorologist (see Figure 7.1-1) will be the designated operator for the communication system.  The GTE Project Meteorologist and satellite communication system will travel with the NASA C-130 throughout the entire mission.

Table 7.5.10.5-1 gives the azimuth and elevation look angles from the site antenna location to the Pacific Ocean Region [POR] (0 deg N, 178 deg E, 35870 km) or the Atlantic Ocean Region West [AOR-W] (0 deg N, 54 deg W, 35870 km) Inmarsat communication satellites.

 

Table 7.5.10.5-1 Look Angles  

Site	Azimuth, deg	Elevation, deg
Wallops	150.0	45.0
Dryden	250.0	15.0
Hawaii	240.0	55.0
Wake Island	155.0	67.5
Guam	125.0	57.0
Hong Kong	110.0	25.0
Yokota, Japan	135.0	37.5
Midway Island	195.0	55.0

Azimuth is measured clockwise from North; elevation is measured up from horizontal.

INMARSAT AERO: The DC-8 and P-3B aircraft will be equipped with satellite communication (SATCOM) systems allowing for voice communications between the two aircraft and with the ground.  The existing SATCOM on the DC-8 is sufficient for these purposes.  The P-3B will be equipped with an AERO Mini-M SATCOM system prior to the TRACE-P field mission.  During TRACE-P coordinated research flights, the Mission Scientists will speak with each other via the SATCOM systems in order to focus the flights on areas of interest as determined by the onboard scientific instruments.

 

7.6 Intensive Site Support and Meetings

Principal Investigator requested support requirements are included in Appendix I and Table 7.6-1 and Table 7.6-2.

 

7.6.1 Work Areas

Table 7.6-1  Support Needs for DC-8 PIs

 

 

7.6.2 Meetings

Meetings during field deployment of TRACE-P will be conducted to:  ensure proper exchange of information on schedules, provide updates for local logistical requirements, report aircraft and instrumentation status, review meteorological conditions, discuss science objectives relative to measurements results, and plan mission flight scenarios.

Typically, at each deployment site a general status and flight-planning meeting will be convened during the afternoon of each non-flight day. On flight days, a pre-flight status meeting will be convened approximately one hour prior to aircraft door closing on the P-3B and DC-8. A post flight debriefing will be conducted immediately after each flight. The pre-flight and/or post flight briefings may be conducted aboard, or near, the aircraft. Upon arrival of each aircraft at a new deployment site, the GTE Project Manager (Figure 7.1-1), or his designee, will conduct an initial "orientation" briefing. All field deployment personnel are welcomed to all meetings, but as least one spokesperson from each PI team is required at the general status/flight-planning meeting and at the pre- and post-flight debriefings. No formal meetings will be convened on mission down days.

An important function of the general status/flight-planning meeting is the development of the flight plans for the next local or transit flight in accordance with the Expedition objectives addressed in Section 2.0 of this document. Final plans for a flight are required at least twelve hours prior to take off time.  The final flight plans will, however, be strongly influenced by meteorological conditions. To facilitate the development and selection of the flight plans, typically, two preliminary flight-planning meetings will be conducted prior to the general status/flight-planning meeting. The first will involve the on-site mission scientists and mission meteorologists. The purpose of this meeting will be to review and select the leading options for the upcoming flight, as well as to consider back-up flight options, if appropriate.  The second preliminary flight planning meeting will involve mission scientists, mission meteorologists, aircraft navigators, aircraft mission managers, pilots, and the GTE Project Manager or his designee. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the reccommendation(s) by the mission scientists for a flight plan, and to develop the draft flight plan that will be reviewed by the Science Team during  the general  status/flight-planning  meeting.  Prior to these preliminary flight-planning meetings, the mission scientist will solicit inputs from the PIs relative to potential flight scenarios, and PIs may participate in any of these preliminary meetings. It is anticipated that the recommended flight plan emerging   from the preliminary planning will represent the best option for the upcoming flight based on the science objectives and most probable meteorological conditions, and only minor alterations to the flight plan by the Science Team will be required. Usually, an alternate flight plan will be developed incorporating different meteorological conditions, if such an occurrence is significantly probable.

The general status/flight-planning meetings will also serve as a forum for the Science Team to briefly review results from previous flights. Several special science discussion team meetings will also be scheduled by the Mission Scientist for more focused and in depth reviews of mission results relative to the mission objectives.  The schedule for these will depend upon the progress of the field operations. All meetings will involve both P-3B and DC-8.

During the pre-flight status meeting convened before each flight, the flight crew and science team will review the latest weather information, flight plans, instrument status, and make a Go/No-Go decision with respect to the prime and alternate flight plans. The Mission Meteorologist(s), Mission Scientists, Aircraft Manager(s), Project Manager or his designee, pilot, and at least one representative from each investigator team are expected to participate.

The post-flight debriefing will be held to review all aspects of the mission from weather conditions to instrument performance, to determine PI aircraft access requirements, and to determine aircraft and instrument readiness for the next scheduled missions. The Aircraft Managers, Mission Scientists and Meteorologists, Project Manager or his designee, Chief Pilot, and at least one representative from each investigator team are expected to participate.

  

7.6.3 Press Briefings

Press briefings may be scheduled as a result of request from local media. The GTE   Project Office will have prepared Press Release Kits for distribution at such briefings. The GTE Project Manager will serve as the main point of contact for the press briefings, however the Mission Scientist will serve as the primary spokesperson for the Science Team at these briefings. PIs may also be asked to make presentations and/or be available to answer questions or to elaborate on scientific issues. Aircraft tours may also be provided with the approval of the cognizant Aircraft Manager.

 

7.7 Aircraft Access on Parking Ramp

With the exception of planned down-days, the aircraft will normally be open and power available from 0800 to 1700 local time.  At all of the deployment locations, although the aircraft may be open, access will be tightly controlled.  Access to the aircraft by walking will not be permitted at any location; therefore transportation will have to be arranged to and from the aircraft.  A bus schedule will be posted at the meeting room entrance (or hotel front desk), and any deviations from that schedule will have to be arranged through the Site Manager or his designee.  On flight days, the aircraft will nominally be accessible about four hours before take-off and will be secured approximately two hours after landing.  Access to the aircraft outside of these times must be coordinated with the GTE Project Manager, or his designee, and with approval of the DC-8 or P-3B Aircraft Manager

Only designated aircraft crewmembers will open the aircraft and operate the power distribution panel controls.  Experimental apparatus under power will not be left unattended.  Under no circumstances will the aircraft be left open and unattended.

 

7.7.1 Down Days

On the down-days the aircraft will be closed to allow the entire aircraft crew a day off.  No routine access will be granted to the aircraft.  However, if mandatory, limited access for instrument "servicing" may be authorized with the approval of the DC-8 or P-3B Aircraft Manager.  Although subject to change, the scheduled down-days are shown in Table 5.0-1.

 

7.7.2 No-fly Days

On days when no flights are planned, the aircraft will be made available to the PI teams, on a work schedule set by the GTE Project Manager with the approval of the Aircraft Manager.

 

7.8 Flight Operations Guidelines

Guidelines to insure safe flight operations are established through the respective NASA center management instructions.  Guidelines to insure that flight operations meet the TRACE-P objectives are established by the GTE Project Office in consultation with the respective Aircraft Managers.

 

7.8.1 Aircraft Seat Assignments

The maximum number of persons on the aircraft during any flight will be limited by the seating available and other pertinent safety considerations.  All personnel flying on the DC-8 or P-3B must:  be listed on the flight manifest, have been entered on a flight authorization letter (P-3B only), have filled out and submitted a Flight Participant Form, and have been given a DC-8 and/or P-3B Aircraft Safety Briefing.  Each Principal Investigator should provide the Project  Representative  a list of the personnel that will be required on each leg of the TRACE-P deployment.  Table 7.8-1  is the personnel allocation for the P-3B and DC-8 transit flights.  It is anticipated that up to 6 additional seats will be available to the DC-8 investigators on local flights, and 1 additional seat may be available on the P-3B during local flights

Table 7.8-1 Airplane Transit Flights Seat Allocations

PI or Group Name	P-3B Comments	P-3B Allocations	DC-8 Comments	DC-8  Allocations
Anderson		-	Aerosols	2
Apel		-		1
Atlas		0		0
Avery		1		1
Bandy		1		-
Blake		2		2
Browell	DIAL	-		3
Brune		-	ATHOS	2
Cantrell		0		-
Clarke		2		-
Eisele		2		-
Flocke		1		-
Fried		-		1
Heikes		-		2
Kondo		2		-
Sachse		1		2
Sandholm		-		2
Shetter		0		1
Singh		-		2
Talbot		-		3
Weber		1		-
Project Instrumentation	TAMMS,  Cryo, Stormscope, J(NO2)	1	Cryo, J(NO2), Stormscope	0
ICATS		-		2
Project Data System		1		1
Mission Scientist		1		1
Mission Meteorol.		1		1
Project Rep.		1		1
Mission Manager		1		2
Cockpit	Pilot, Co-pilot, Flight  Engineer	3	Pilot, Co-pilot, Nav., Flight Engr.	4
Aft Crew		1		2
Ground Crew		-		7
Totals		23		45

   

7.8.2 Flight Criteria

The Go/No-Go decision will be jointly made by the Project and Aircraft Managers.  The Aircraft Manager will determine if the aircraft is ready to fly, and the GTE Project Manager or his designee, with the Mission Scientists, will determine if experiments necessary to meet the flight objective(s) are operational.  The aircraft commander will be responsible for mission abort based upon safety considerations.  The impact on the status of experiment instrumentation will be assessed based upon the objectives of the particular flight.

 

7.8.3 Pre Flight Instrument Preparations

Tables 7.8.3-1 and 7.8.3-2 (unavailable at press time), for the DC-8 and P-3B respectively, summarize the maintenance activities that must be completed for each experiment before and/or after each flight, and Tables 7.8.3-3 and 7.8.3-4 (unavailable at press time), for the DC-8 and P-3B  respectively, summarize the individual experiment pre-flight preparation times.  Power is required during all the preflight preparation time.  Activities such as calibration, temperature stabilization, etc. are performed during this time.

Table 7.8.3-1  DC-8 Experiment Hardware Pre/Post-Flight Requirements

Table 7.8.3-3 DC-8 Instrument Pre-Flight Preparations/Power-up Time

 

 

7.8.4 In-flight Safety Requirements

Aircraft flights are governed by specific safety rules.  All participants in DC-8 and P-3B flights are required to abide by these regulations, which will be enforced by the Pilots and the Aircraft Managers.  Before flight, an inspection of equipment items in the aircraft will be conducted to assure that all equipment, carry-on luggage, etc. is in a safe, flyable configuration.  No smoking, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, open-toed or high-heeled shoes, or shorts are permitted during flight.  Each person must be seated during take-off and landing and any other time the seat belt sign is illuminated.  The passageway through the aircraft must be clear at all times.  All carry-on gear must be secured for take-off and landing.  Only designated aircraft crewmembers will operate the power distribution panel controls and the aircraft doors.  In the event of a power outage, all instrumentation power switches must be set to "Off" before the power distribution panel is reset.  Experiments will be brought on-line in sequence, if necessary, to avoid transient overloads.  One person with each experiment must monitor the intercom at all times and remain with the experiment.

The Aircraft Manager is the interface between the flight crew and the experimenters.  Access to the cockpit may be granted through the Aircraft Manager who will pass the request to the flight deck.

 

7.8.4.1 Safety Briefings

Safety training sessions are held at the start of each mission. Attendance by all participants is mandatory. These briefings cover the use of emergency exits, life rafts, life vests, fire extinguishers, emergency oxygen (in the event of sudden cabin depressurization), and survival methods following a ditching or Arctic-surface landing.

 

7.8.4.2 Specialized Safety Equipment

The DC-8 and P-3B carry safety equipment equal to, and often exceeding that carried by comparable passenger aircraft.

(1) Seat Belts - Passenger seats are equipped with either standard issue belts or a combination seat belt/shoulder harness.  These must be used during take-off and landing, and whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated.  The Aircraft Manager will indicate when their use is required.

(2) Fire Protection Equipment - A wide variety of fire protection devices are located throughout the aircraft.  Two fireboards with fire fighting equipment are located in the main cabin, and one fireboard is located in each cargo hold.  Each of these fireboards includes a fire extinguisher  (Halon), fireproof gloves, a fire axe, a smoke mask, and an emergency oxygen bottle.

(3) Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) are provided for both experimenters and flight crew.  These are fire hoods equipped with a solid-state chemical - oxygen generator that supplies 15 minutes of pure oxygen to allow escape from the aircraft.  The location of the EEBDs will be pointed out during safety training briefings.

(4) Water Survival Equipment - Life rafts are carried on all flights over water.  They are located in the main cabin - two in the ceiling adjacent to the over wing emergency exits, one forward and one aft near the cabin doors for the DC-8 and on the floor in front of the over-wing exits for the P-3B.  The rafts contain enough rations and gear to sustain each person for one week.

Individual life vests are stowed in pouches beneath or behind each seat. The bottom cushion of each seat can be easily removed and used as a flotation aid.

(5) Emergency Exit Lighting - In case of an emergency, a lighting system will automatically illuminate exit signs at each door.  Lights located on the seats or experimenter racks will also illuminate the aisles to facilitate egress from the aircraft.

 

7.8.4.3 In-Flight Safety

(1) Emergency Oxygen Equipment - Oxygen masks are located throughout the DC-8 cabin in the overhead compartments.  They are within convenient reach of all DC-8 participants when seated.  Should the need arise, the bottom of the compartment will automatically open, and the oxygen masks will drop down.  The crewmembers and the Aircraft Manager on the DC-8 have portable emergency oxygen bottles, and can assist anyone on the aircraft.

(2) Intercom Regulation - The aircraft intercom system enables the Aircraft Manager to monitor experimenter operations and become aware of any safety-related problem immediately.  At least one member of each research group is required to be on the intercom at all times.  Extra-length cables can be provided if necessary to aid experiment operations.

(3) Cargo Areas - Access to cargo areas is permitted in flight, but not during take-off and landing.  Experimenters must inform the Aircraft Manager before moving into the cargo areas. They must remain on the intercom while in the cargo area, and must confirm their return to the main cabin with him.

(4) Repair Equipment - Electric motor-driven hand tools, heat guns, and soldering guns cannot be used in flight.  Only the low power, pencil type soldering irons are permitted; and their use must be approved by the Aircraft Manager.  Volatile solvents are not permitted on board.

(5) Smoking - Smoking is not permitted at any time aboard the DC-8 or P-3B, either on the ground or in flight.

(6) Experiment Gas Leaks - A gas leak detection device, Ion Sciences Gas Leak Detector, Model 53-46B4, will be placed aboard each aircraft by the GTE Project Office.  It will be used by the Project Instrumentation Manager to detect whether leaks exist in all NO, NO₂, SO₂, propane, butanol, and N₂O bottles after final pre-flight valve adjustments have been made and prior to every flight take-off.  It will also be used after each gas bottle has been secured post-flight.  Experiment team members may use the leak detection device at other times to verify no leaks exist in any gas bottle.  If a noxious gas leak is detected to exist, the Aircraft Manager will be immediately notified and priority attention given to stopping the leak.

 

7.8.4.4 Additional Safety Considerations

(1) Check Flights - When all the experimental equipment for a mission has been installed, but prior to the scientific data flights, one or more check flights are made.  Experimenters may not participate in these flights.

(2) Liquid Disposal - Beverage cups and open containers should not be left unattended, particularly around experimental equipment where accidental spillage could damage electronic components.  Glass beverage containers are not allowed on the aircraft

(3) Flight Insurance - Participants must arrange for their own insurance.  Please be advised that the DC-8 and P-3B are operated as public law aircraft, and as such does not have, or require, a certificate of airworthiness issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.   As a consequence, many commercial riders to insurance policies may not provide insurance protection.  Insurance can be purchased locally from commercial sources, on a yearly basis, covering flights on the DC-8 and/or P-3B within the U.S. and overseas.  Consult with your insurance agent about the coverage of policies you hold.

 

7.8.5 Undesirable Flight Conditions

Tables 7.8.5-1 and 7.8.5-2 (unavailable at press time) for the DC-8 and P-3B respectively, summarize those undesirable flight conditions identified by each Principal Investigator.  Each condition will prevent that experiment from making measurements or will significantly impact measurement accuracy.  These conditions will be used in flight planning to the greatest extent possible, but some flights will encounter these conditions because the Science Team considered other criteria having higher priority.

Table 7.8.5-1 DC-8 Undesirable Flight Conditions

 

 

7.8.6 In-flight Accommodations

(1) Flight Lunches - Flight lunches will be provided on all deployment flights.  Aircraft passengers will be responsible for their own lunches on the test flights.  Coffee and a microwave oven are available in the galley area at the rear of the main cabins on both the P-3B and DC-8 aircraft.  A refrigerator is also available on the P-3B.

(2) Electrical Power Blackouts - A power interruption of up to a few minutes occurs when the engines are started, during the change over from ground power to aircraft power.  The Aircraft Manager will give prior warning to all experimenters, and may require shutdown of all experiments for this period.  A similar interruption will occur at the end of a flight, when the engines are shut down.  Prior arrangements should be made if electrical power is needed for post-flight calibration or other purposes.

(3) Cabin Environment - For high altitude cruise conditions, the cabin is pressurized to an equivalent of 7,500 feet altitude, and temperature is maintained at 65° to 75°F (18° to 24°C). Relative humidity normally decreases with time in flight, from the local airfield value at takeoff to a relatively stable 10% to 15% within an hour or two.  Cabin lighting can be controlled as required by experiments.  

Tables 7.8.6-1 and 7.8.6-2 (unavailable at press time), for the DC-8 and P-3B respectively, summarize the environmentally critical experiment components as identified by the Principal Investigators.  Special provisions will be made for the local control of temperature-sensitive and/or light-sensitive equipment.  The Aircraft Manager should be consulted by the Principal Investigator on these matters.

Table 7.8.6-1 DC-8 Environmentally Critical Experiment Components

(4) Cargo Environment - Cargo areas are pressurized the same as the cabin on the DC-8, but some areas remain at a lower temperature.  On the P-3B the forward cargo area is not pressurized and may remain at a lower temperature than the cabin.

(5) In-Flight Repairs - Experimenters may work on their equipment in flight, if it is necessary and can be done without affecting other experiments or creating an unsafe condition.  However, the Aircraft Manager's approval must be obtained before any repair work may begin.  Equipment removed from its usual position must be replaced securely before landing.  The use of aisle space for repairs is not permitted.

 

7.9 Nominal Activities for Non-flight Days

The following is a nominal list of activities that are anticipated on non-flight days or non-down days:

      • Aircraft open and power available

• Preliminary flight planning meetings (Mission Scientist, Mission Meteorologist, aircraft personnel as determined by Aircraft Manager, and GTE Project Manager or designee). 

• General Planning session for next mission 

--Weather briefing

--Review instrument status

--Weather/scientific criteria

--Make   Go/No-Go   decision for   next   day   (begin crew   rest)

--Develop flight plans

--Identify present or potential problem areas 

• Work   aircraft    clearances; tentative   evening    work   schedule 

• Weather update; evening work schedule 

The timing of the above activities will be specific to each deployment location and to the    experience obtained at that location.  

Table 7.9-1 indicates the amount of time the DC-8 Pis require access to the plane on no-fly days.  Table 7.9-2 indicates the ground support equipment needed by the DC-8 PIs when performing work around the plane.

 Table 7.9-1  No-Fly-Day Time at Aircraft for DC-8 PIs

PI	Time, Hours
Anderson	--
Apel	--
Avery	TBD
Barrick	TBD
Blake	--
Browell	8
Brune	--
Fried	5 minutes
Heikes	4
Sachse	8
Sandholm	8
Shetter	4
Singh	8
Talbot	8

Table 7.9-2  Required Ground Support Equipment for DC-8 PIs

 

7.10 Typical Schedule for Flight Days During Deployment

The following is a typical schedule for flight days during deployment.  

TIME	ACTIVITY
T.O. – 4 hrs.	Aircraft open and power available to experimenters
T.O. - 3 hrs.	Weather briefing
T.O. - 2 hrs.	Go/No-Go Decision
T.O. – 2 hrs.	File Flight Plan (May vary with deployment location)
T.O. - 1 hrs.	Preflight Briefing on Aircraft (Weather Update)
T.O. - 0.5 hrs.	Aircraft doors close (All personnel on board)
T.O.	Takeoff (T.O)
T.O. + 7.5 hrs.	Landing (L)
L + 0.5 hr.	Post-flight Debriefing
L + 2 hrs.	Secure aircraft unless prior arrangements have been made                for access and power

 

 

7.11 Post Flight/Deployment Activities

Tables 7.11-1 and 7.11-2 (unavailable at press time), for the DC-8 and P-3B respectively, summarize the amount of time needed by each experiment after each flight to power-down the instruments.  Power is required during all of this time.  Activities such as calibration, gas turn-off, removal of cooling materials, installation of covers, etc. are completed during this time.

When the deployment period is completed, one or two days are scheduled for removal of experiments under the supervision of the Aircraft Manager.

Equipment can be removed rack by rack, or by hand-carrying the various components, at the experimenter's discretion. Equipment should then be returned to the DC-8 or P-3B support areas where the research teams are responsible for packing for return shipment to the PI's institution.

The GTE Project Manager or his designee will hold a mission debriefing to review results, complete requests for aircraft systems data, and to arrange for post-mission science reviews as required.  The Aircraft Manager will also provide any mission related data held in aircraft files upon request.

Table 7.11-1 DC-8 Instrument Post Flight Preparation/Power–down Time

PI	Time, hrs.
Anderson	<1
Apel	15 min
Avery	0.5
Barrick	0.5
Blake	1.5
Browell	1
Brune	2 hr for dye change or 20 min
Fried	15 min
Heikes	0.5
Sachse	1
Sandholm	1
Shetter	3 hrs for back-to-back flights; 10 min if no fly day follows flight
Singh	1
Talbot	1

 

Return to Expedition Plan Table of Contents