Submitted at(UTC): 2008/10/02 12:44
Flight Notes Mission Scientist: Rob Wood VOCALS TF2, Rocky Mountain Airport, Co Flight IFR, search for clouds. Times are UTC Conditions of the ground. Clear skies. Cu Sct over mountains T/O 20:00 to NW, turn to N, climbing to FL120 Boundary layer top around 7500' 20:09 Level off at 12000' 20:10 Resume climb to 16000' Freezing level 13500' Clouds visible to N, large cumulus and some small congestus, lines 20:18 Level off at 18300' to penetrate cloud layer ahead 20:22 Through cloud, liquid water, FSSP working, PVM not working, some 2D-C particles. 20:22-20:45 Various cloud penetrations, some ice and liquid 20:46 Climbing to max altitude heading W to waypoint at Rock Springs, Wyoming 20:52 Max altitude reached 22000', T=-23 C, 40 miles ESE of Rock Springs 20:53 Straight and level at 22000', Image 1, Image 2 PCASP around 200 /cm3 Cumulus visible around, some with ice detrainment at 15000-22000' 21:03 Turning to right onto NE heading maintaining 22000' altitude 21:15 Descending to cloud level (line of Cu on the nose, tops around 18000'). Enter cloud 21:20 Descending to 18000' to maintain cloud center, bumpy 21:24 Turning to NW to intercept cloud line on return 21:26 Straight and level run to NW at 18000' 21:26-21:48 Working clouds at 18000', mainly ice cloud 21:48 Turn and descend to 14000', heading ESE for Cheyenne 22:00 Descending to do boundary layer leg at 2-3 kft AGL 22:05-22:20 Straight and level boundary layer run at 9500', quite evenly turbulent throughout, slight deviation in heading to avoid high ground at 22:17 22:20 Heading back to Rocky Mtn Airport. Very hazy along front range 22:48 Land