An Instrumented Learjet for High-Altitude Atmospheric Sampling
Rusk, D. J. and Hobbs, R., Aeromet, Inc.
Thirteenth Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Science Team Meeting
Aeromet operates the High Altitude Research Platform (HARP), a Learjet 36A, that has been used for atmospheric sampling and characterization missions in locations worldwide since the 1970s. With its long duration (up to 5 hours and about 3700 km) and its ability to reach high altitudes (about 14 km) the HARP is well suited for many kinds of missions, especially those that take advantage of its unique characteristics. It has been used in many applications, including cloud microphysical sampling, dropsonde deployment, radiometric observations, and Ka-band and lidar measurements of upper-level cirrus clouds that exist in the tropics above the operational ceilings of most aircraft. The HARP usually carries a suite of Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) particle probes (FSSP, 2D-C, and 1D-C), a Ka-band radar, a two-color lidar, and temperature and humidity probes. Guest instruments, including gas samplers, whole-sky cameras, and radiometers (in any viewing direction), are easily and routinely accommodated as well. The HARPs use in several missions, and representative recorded data, will be shown at the conference.
Note: This is the poster abstract presented at the meeting; an extended version was not provided by the author(s).