Central California Ozone Study (CCOS) - Desert Research Institute

CCOS Field Operations Plan Version 2: 5/31/00
dolphin patterns between the minimum altitude and ~5000 ft MSL begins at #3. The ascent
phase is at ~950 ft/min whereas the descent phase is at only 300 ft/min. An 8 minute period of
level flight is made at the maximum and minimum altitudes. Subsequent turns are made at
whatever altitude is encountered when at the turn point. The dolphin pattern has a repeat period
of about 35 min and 113 nm. The morning flight terminates at the Monterey airport for refueling
and crew rest.
The afternoon flights depart from Monterey between 12 and 1 p.m. PDT and pick up the
morning pattern again at way point #1 (#3 of the morning flight) beginning with the dolphin
pattern from the minimum altitude. The over-water flight concludes after the turn at way point
#8 and a climb to a minimum of 500 ft AGL on the route back to FAT through Pacheco Pass.
This day of flying comes very close to the 12-hour duty limit for our pilots (scientific
crew as well). The plan is to fly the western in-flow boundary flights on two consecutive days.
Ideally the day before and the day after are no-fly days to insure that the crew is adequately
rested.
Grid Cells are 50x50 nautical miles
Morning
Afternoon
Figure 2.6-5. Schematic representation of the flight patterns for the morning and afternoon western in-flow
boundary flights. Fresno Air Terminal is at the far right, Monterey near center.
Ferry flights
Tables 2.6-14 and 2.6-15 present flight plans for making measurements over the Central
Valley during the ferry flights between Pasco WA and Fresno CA. Although these flights may
not have the full complement of instruments operating, useful measurements within and above
the mixed layer can be obtained over much of the length of the Central Valley.
Chapter 2: FIELD MEASUREMENTS 2-67