UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON'S CONVAIR-580 FLIGHTS FOR SAFARI-2000

Date: 31 August 2000

UW Flight Number: 1825

Goals of Flight:

  1. Measurements at various levels en route to Mozambique coast.

  2. Sample inflow on Mozambique coast.

  3. Sample fires in northeast Mozambique.

Period of Flight (engines on to engines off: UTC): 0842-1421

Location: Northeast Mozambique

Weather Conditions:

Clear at take off; increased stratocumulus and cumulus clouds approaching Mozambique coast.

Accomplishments:

  1. Done at 12,600; 9,000; 7,400; and 4,900 ft steps on way to Mozambique coast.

  2. No time to do profiles on coast but ran at 100 ft above coastline in marine air.

  3. Sampled one smoldering fire west of Beria (Mozambique): over fire, 10 miles downwind and 15 miles downwind.

Main Instrument Malfunctions:

  1. Switched in new voltage regulator from Seattle - OK.

  2. No Eatough rack due to voltage regulator concerns.

  3. Aerosol asphericity measurements toward end of flight suspect.

  4. See also Squawk list.

Approx. UCT Time
(UTC = local time minus 2 hours)

Activity

0855

Take off.

0855-0900

Climb to 12,600 ft.

0927-0929

Drop to 9,700 ft.

0929-1018

Chemical and physical measurements at 9,700 ft (increased pollution as we approached Mozambique coast).

1018-1021

Descend to 7,400 ft

1021-1025

Run at 7,400 ft.

1025-1029

Descend to 4,900 ft

1029-?

Run at 4,900 ft.

~ 10 minutes

Run along shoreline at 100 ft.

1055-1100

Climb above scattered cloud top.

1100-1121

Head north then northwest searching for fires

1125-1225

Sampled smoldering fire

1) 3 penetrations over fire.
Grab bag on 1st and 3rd penetration.

2) 10 miles from fire:
2 bags in thickest smoke (low down).
1 penetration (for HC can and FTIR) near top of smoke.

3) 15 miles downwind:
1 penetration for physical measurements (no bag) and 1 HC can in thickest smoke.

1225

Start back.

1225-1328

Return to Pietersburg at 12,800 ft.

Penetrated strong smoke at 12,800 ft from fire below.

1337-1349

Another lofted plume (bag sample). Head back to Pietersburg.

1421

Land, good sunphotometer measurements on descent.

END

Additional Comments

1) v =0.76!!

2) Lower humidity factor in smoke