Joint meeting on May 23-24, 2006 at the
The minutes and appendices are available in pdf format at <200605_scomi.pdf>
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Executive Summary
A joint meeting of the Interagency Coordinating Committee for
Airborne Geoscience Research and Applications (ICCAGRA) and the UNOLS Scientific
Committee for Aircraft Resarch (SCOAR) was held at the Center for Interdisciplinary
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) in Marina, California on May 23 and
24. Agenda items included reports from the Federal agencies, a report on the
activities of the Interagency Working Group for Airborne Data and Telemetry
Systems and a report on UNOLS activities. Topics of discussion include the Univeristy
of North Dakota's proposal to acquire an A10 Falcon Jet as a replacement Storm
Penetration aircraft, the Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy's study
of the effects of fltght profiles on airframe lifecycle and a request by the
Asscociated Scientists at Woods Hole for an exemption to the experimental aircraft
certification from FAA for scientific research applications. The final topic
of the SCOAR meeting session was to prepare for the Airborne Ocean Science Conference
to be held starting later that day.
APPENDICES
I(a) ICCAGRA Meeting Agenda and (b) SCOAR Meeting Agenda
II ICCAGRA and SCOAR Meeting Attendees
III CIRPAS Report (PDF 2.13MB)
IV. NRL Report (PDF 1.22MB)
V NSF Report (PDF 1.55MB)
VI NOAA Report (PDF 5.10MB)
VIIa Suborbital Science Program R & A Retreat March 2006 (PDF 1.83MB)
VIIb NASA Report (PDF 1.20MB)
VIII Interagency Working Group for Airborne Data and Telemetry Systems (IWGADTS) Update
IX UND Falcon Proposal (PDF 202KB)
X NSF/ICAP Report -The Effect of Flight Profiles on Airframe Lifecycle (PDF 108KB)
XI UNOLS Report (PDF 960KB)
XII FAA Exemptions to the Experimental Aircraft Certifications to Allow for Scientific Research Applications (24.7 KB)
Minutes for the Joint Meeting of the ICCAGRA and UNOLS SCOAR
ICCAGRA Meeting Minutes
1. Introductions
2. Agency Reports
CIRPAS – Bob Bluth
The primary mission is to support UAS conops development and exercise support using their suite of aircraft (NAT – 750, Pelican, Altus, Predator, UV 18-A Twin Otter, Ground control station). They also maintain a number of scientifically valuable ground stations (Winds LIDAR, MPQ-64 Mobile Storm Radar, 95GHz Cloud Radar) and they are working with NSF to develop software and algorithms. New sensors are developed through the ONR SBIR program, with 2-4 topics covered each year and a budget of approximately $750k/topic. A recently tested system based on the Meggitt towed target system will gather momentum, heat, and wind fluxes at low altitudes towed from a twin otter. Future plans: In June CIRPAS will be testing the 95GHz cloud radar for a planned deployment in Chile in 08. They are also ramping up for a multi-agency mission in August mission that will include 6 research ships and their Twin Otter. CIRPAS will also be support a NOAA/ONR pollution experiment in Texas (GMAC, TEX-EX)
NRL – Pat Herring – scientific development squadron 1
The VXS-1 squadron, formerly NRL flight support detachment, is the only S&T squadron in Navy. They operate NP-3Ds, RC-12Fs and are currently investigating acquisition of mid-range support aircraft. They try to schedule their aircraft 3 years out, but the schedules usually don’t solidify until 6 months out because of the budget cycle. Piggy-back opportunites are available but commitment to funding is critical and it must be on a non-interference basis. They are actively working to standardize aircraft interfaces and improve power distribution systems for mission flexibility and to improve bus structure toward a “flying bench laboratory”. Future plans: The Rampant Lion mission in Afghanistan will consist of 5 geosynchronized sensors to collect geologic information; the NASA AVIRIS mission will follow this mission. He described the difficulty of doing research work in theatre.
NSF – Jim Huning
They are working to expand the mix of available facilities with a facilities assessment in progress (universities, national labs, private companies). Aircraft and operations are funded through an annual deployment pool that amounts to slightly less than $5M/yr for aircraft, ground based, sounding facilities (30-40% for aircraft). NSF has instituted a new review procedure for NSF-sponsored field campaigns starting in FY07. In general, larger, complex programs need longer lead times because facility managers have difficulty scheduling upgrades and maintenance to facilities. In addition, competition for facilities is growing and many campaigns involve facilities not reviewed with NSF facilities. The new process is a rigorous early review (2yrs prior to deployment) to avoid unnecessary expenditures, earlier planning and ROM costs for program managers. Formal proposals follow successful pre-review. The G-V “HIAPER” completed its first major science campaign (T-REX) in Owens valley, and was used to deploy dropsondes. The new instruments are starting to be delivered. They discussed the FAA certification process and weighed the relative merits of FAA certified vs. State aircraft designation (1931 Chicago convention) vs. research certification. They are planning for next generation of storm penetrators. As the T-28 retired and they transition to an A-10 (joint w/ NAVY, SD school of mines) A workshop will be held on Oct 23rd-24th
NOAA – Jim McFadden
The Aircraft Operations Center facilities at MacDill AFB Hanger #5 operate 3 P-3s, 3 Twin Otters, a G4MD500, Turbo commander, Citation, Bell 212, SeaWolf. They received an earmark for a new P-3 to allow the other 2 to be dedicated to hurricanes.
In FY05 NOAA conducted a 5-yr planning effort. Currently $15M
is appropriated for flight programs operations; $3M for staff and maintenance,
but in FY06 they received a $18M supplemental for Katrina related activities.
He described a number of activities in FY05 including an Ocean Winds experiment
that included cal/val for QuikSCAT and WindSat, the Atmospheric Rivers experiment
to study the pineapple express, and Ghostnet which studied driftnet tracking
in the N. Pacific. The busy hurricane season saw 897 flight hours for P-3s and
G-IV. Other activities included support for TCSP/IFEX, RAINEX/IFEX, Ocean Heat
content studies, Synoptic flow studies w/ G-IV using dropsondes which improved
tracking models by 40% for Katrina, SALEX, which focused on the role of Saharan
air contributing to hurricane development.
The Citation conducted Katrina damage photography. In FY06 they will be conducting
a Texas Air quality study and he discussed airspace issues (1500 AGL flight
lines). Future plans include installation of GIV tail Doppler radar, introduction
of N44RF into service, possible construction of new AOC facilities (75k sq.
ft. hanger), introduction of 4th Twin Otter to service marine sanctuary, and
replacement of citation w/ King Air. He also discussed FAA Certification; new
installations require engineering studies and airworthiness certifications -
taxes the workforce, creates delays. Public use is an option for civilian agencies
if it serves an inherently governmental function
NASA – Cheryl Yuhas
There is a new organizational chart for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate. The Suborbital Science Program objectives are to assist in the development of new space sensors, cal/val of satellite systems, process studies, in situ measurements and model evaluations. The program is restructuring toward an evolving catalogue of aircraft, to infuse new airborne technologies, provide an on-ramp to off-ramp, and a renewed emphasis on reliability. There are 4 elements to the program: Program management & science support, catalogue aircraft, new platform capability development, airborne sensors with a budget - $35M. Planned missions for 2006 include Costa Rica AVE, Stardust Re-entry, INTEX-B, Arctic 2006, Maldives AUAV Campaign (NSF, NOAA, NASA), low-altitude AVIRIS, Wildfire response, Cloudsat/Calipso Validation, NASA-African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis, NOAA/NASA aerosonde low-level hurricane sampling.
The catalogue aircraft consists of:
ER-2 update – PDM complete;
WB-57 upgrades – avionics upgrade, landing gear update, gross weight increase;
P-3 back in service, completed Arctic 2006, due for overhaul next year;
DC-8 transition to UND through an RFI is complete but needs fine-tuning.
She described the Earth Science Demonstration project and the new UAVSAR precision trajectories work. UAS mission demonstrations include Altair demo, Aerosonde Ophelia Demo, the WRAP small UAS demo and Altair western states fire mission, and a UAS Aura validation experiment in 2007. The Airborne Science & Technology Laboratory continues to support facility sensors, engineering support, and sensor calibration, with recent work to support a Altair/Ikhana sensor pod.
3. IWGADTS – Interagency Working Group for Airborne data and telecommunications systems – Larry Freudinger, Chris Webster
This is a working group under ICCAGRA. They held 2 meetings in past year and are working to support 3 main themes: situational awareness, network computing, sensors and instruments. Their strategy involves interoperability over networks through software systems evolving towards sensor web. The charter focuses on identifing needs, improving interoperability, enhancing interagency sharing, and providing recommendations on best practices. Membership conists of ICCAGRA agencies, academia & platform reps. They described recent work on standards for data Exchange – ASCII packet standards for commonly used information, interface Descriptions – common language for describing data, machine-readable interfaces, portability, and multi-aircraft displays using Google earth.
4. UND Falcon Proposal – Michael Poellet
He described a proposal for transfer of DLR Falcon 20 to US Airborne
research fleet
Citation II operated from ’81-’05 fro DOI, FAA, NOAA, DOE, NSF,
NASA, DoD, EPA studying cloud microphysics, turbulence, air chemistry, water
vapor, boundary layer, thunderstorms, icing. After aircraft loss in ‘05,
analysis of replacement narrowed to Citation II and Falcon 20. A comparison
of capabilities shows that the Falcon has greater range, endurance, payload
weight, cabin volume, airspeed, and power and the Falcon has significant modification
for research. The acquisition schedule would have 07-09 shared operational use,
09 transfer and operations from UND. Issues: Airworthiness certification (est.
$10-15k under PART91), ownership strategies, shared cost transition, O&M
costs
5. ICAP – Jim Huning
Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy (18 civilian agencies).
GSA makes policy for managing acquisition, use and disposal of a/c that civilian
agencies own or hire. GSA sponsors ICAP with a goal to ensure government operations
are as safe or safer than commercial operations. Responsibilities include management
overview and FAIRS reporting, safety of government aircraft, including ARMS
and ASO, A/C regulations and guidance overview. He discussed the concept of
utilization hours – includes time its taken out of service for integration
and de-integration – issue of quantifying cost effectiveness
Update: A/C regulations and guidance overview, which includes 41 CFR 102-33
and 41 CFR 300-3; 301-10, and 301-70; A-126 (Improving the management and use
of government aircraft); sponsoring FEDFLEET Fed Aviation workshops June19-22
in Los Angeles.
6. Discussion of issues
Flight profiles affect life cycle of airframe. Using statistics
from Citation aircraft flying different profiles, they found that complex flight
lines such as repeated vertical profiling are a large contributor to wear and
tear. The point was made that old aircraft were designed for more general use
with larger thresholds built-in while newer aircraft are built for more specific
roles, with less margins. Discussed an NRL analyses of P-3; NOAA analysis that
atm. Chem. Missions did more damage than hurricanes. NAVAIR acquisitions group
can provide useful statistics for characterizing life-cycle costs for civilian
agencies.
Much discussion on UAS. The Congressional request to NASA and NOAA was filled
with misconceptions so both agencies tried to clarify issues in their responses.
Discussion of how best to compare UAS operations to manned operations: cost
per flight hour/weight of payload. In general, the cost of manpower explodes
budget compared to manned aircraft and so they should be used where you exploit
their unique capabilities. Power requirements are an issue for most UAS. A DOE
ARM study on use of Altus showed that it was too costly. Discussion of whether
adding cost per variable to estimate costs might be more accurate. NAVAIR’s
3 conditions for acquiring/using UAS: extend platform range, extend sensor range,
protect crew. Recommendation to use AGU and AMS to help determine utility of
UAS for science. Consensus was reached that they are still in experimental phase
and the need was to establish key performance benchmarks for use in science
missions, as well as defining criteria for operationalizing UAS. Car use analogy
– need for critical infrastructure; airspace issues need to be resolved.
ICCAGRA Meeting Participants
Cheryl Yuhas (NASA) - Chair
Eric Berkowitz (NOAA)
Dick Zimmerman (ODU)
Jack Jones (NRL/ESI)
Mike Poellot (UND)
Carl Friehe (UC Irvine/UNOLS/SCOAR)
John Bane (UNC/UNOLS/SCOAR)
Cdr. Patrick Herring (VXS-1)
Capt. Walt Jackson (NRL)
Jim Huning (NSF)
Jim McFadden (NOAA/AOC)
Mike Prince (UNOLS)
Bob Bluth (CIRPAS)
Chris Webster (NSF/NCAR)
Larry Freudinger (NASA DFRC)
Matt Fladeland (NASA ARC)
Scientific Committee for Oceanographic Aircraft Research (SCOAR)
May 24, 2006
Introductions were made around the room, including acknowledging and thanking
Kate Sawyers for organizing the logistics for the meeting and the upcoming Airborne
Ocean Science Conference.
Participants: John Bane, Carl Friehe, Charlie Flagg, Dick Zimmerman, Dan Reimer, Steve Hartz, Jack Jones NRL, Pat Herring NRL Pax River, Jim Hunning, Bob Bluth, Cheryl Yuhas, Jim McFadden, Eric Berkowitz, Matt Fladeland (NASA).
John Bane reviewed the membership status of the committee and discussed the need to recruit a new member in the coming months. This need will be advertised to the community in a number of ways and selection could take place before or at the Fall SCOAR meeting.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the minutes of the November
2005 SCOAR meeting.
John reviewed the agenda for today's meeting.
Discussion about the methods that might be used for a coordinated scheduling and perhaps utilization included major issues:
ICAGGRA action item to determine what the next steps might be for more coordinated scheduling and utilization of research aircraft with Matt Fladeland (NASA) taking the lead in consolidating information on research aircraft scheduling. Look at phone conferencing on some regular schedule.
UNOLS report see slides
Exemption from FAA for operation of an expermental aircraft
Jim Hains with the Associated Scientists at Woods Hole gave an overview of
their application for an exemption from the FAA for operation of an experimental
amateur built aircraft for scientific purposes. They filed for this exemption
in November 2004 and to date they have not received a response. They asked their
Congressman’s staff to enquire about the status of their application and
now they expect some decision in the next few weeks. Jim was looking for comments
or advice on the regulatory procedures. He also thought it would be useful to
have an informational repository for how to handle development of aircraft facilities.
The problem is that they want to fund the operation of this experimental aircraft
with grant funding for study of whales and turtles and this makes it more than
just personal use.
Jim proposed that SCOAR put on the list of topics the issue of dealing with
the FAA on non-traditional aircraft uses and airframe certifications. The discussion
also focused on the issue of whether or not SCOAR should provide an opinion
about the use of experimental aircraft and even write a letter to FAA about
the need for these type of aircraft. The committee determined that SCOAR would
not write any opinions unless it was necessary and only after thoroughly examining
the issues. Also, we discussed whether SCOAR should provide information on dealing
with regulatory issues and even act on behalf of aircraft operators in getting
feedback from the FAA on certain issues. The consensus was that SCOAR might
point to the appropriate regulatory bodies and processes, but not provide advice.
Airborne Ocean Science Conference
John led a discussion about the goals and objectives of the first Airborne Ocean Science Conference and in particular how to conduct the wrap-up discussion – “What does the future hold for airborne oceanography?”
The committee developed a set of bullets for this discussion:
We will use the time to have a round table discussion where the audience will be encouraged to raise questions or issues. John would moderate and Dick can keep the white board, Mike will take notes.
Extensive discussion about the hurdles of having agency-directed funding mechanisms for specific facilities, Having to include facility costs in proposal budgets has a real negative effect on success. There is still a strong desire to find a way to treat aircraft more like UNOLS vessels in terms of facilities funding.
The need for the white paper and questionnaire was discussed.
To do items for SCOAR include:
John Bane will draft a letter of appreciation for Ken Melville for his and Peter Wiebe’s signature, cc Ken's boss.
SCOAR Meeting Participants
Matt Fladeland NASA ARC matthew.mfladeland@nasa.gov
Eric Berkowitz NOAA OAR eric.w.berkowitz@noaa.gov
Dick Zimmerman ODU rzimmerm@odu.edu
Jack Jones NRL (ESI) jones@planes.nrl.navy.mil
Carl Friehe UC Irvine cfriehe@uci.edu
John Bane U. N. Carolina bane@unc.edu
CDR Patrick Herring NRL VXS-1 Patrick.Herring@navy.mil
Jim Huning NSF jhuning@nsf.gov
Cheryl Yuhas NASA Cheryl.L.Yuhas@nasa.gov
Jim McFadden NOAA/AOC jim.d.mcfadden@noaa.gov
Mike Prince UNOLS office@unols.org
Bob Bluth CIRPAS
Charles Flagg SUNY
Dan Reimer RSMAS
Jim Hain Assoc Sci. W. H.