Boschaero\Naval Research Lab Daily Report
5-20-00
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Jim carries our frozen jug of ice for the cooler to the car. |
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We have a long day ahead of us. This is just after take-off from Exuma to begin the day's missions. |
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After landing at Lee Stocking Island and picking everyone up, we were greeted by cloud cover. They did manage to shoot through the clouds and collect data. |
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During our mission we are treated to some added excitement compliments of Bahama Air. They don't seem to talk to anyone on the radio and rarely ever get radar Flight Following. Our flight lines are on the approach to Exuma. |
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The clouds are broken and the islands are visible through the holes. |
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Over the past three years, Jim and I have become very proficient at flying straight lines required for the data collect. The difficulty no longer lies in not flying straight, but in seeing where we are on the line because it is so straight, as you can see by this cockpit display. |
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Our morning flight crew ... Megan, The AOM and The Data Cowboy. |
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Another distraction. |
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Jim gets the control lock from the back of the plane after our flight back to Exuma to re-fuel and have lunch before returning to Lee Stocking Island for the afternoon flight mission. |
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On our return trip to the Lee Stocking Island, we spotted this giant Ray. |
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Not only were we greeted with heavy crosswinds at Lee Stocking Island, but a new flight crew as well. Curt takes Megan's place. |
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"Know what I mean, Vern?" |
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More afternoon clouds over the target area. |
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After 3 more hours of flying, the crew was finally 'mission complete' for the day. (Although Jim and I still have to make the return flight to Exuma, refuel the aircraft and file a flight plan for tomorrow's flight.) Mary, Curt, Jim and Lowell ... Oh, and a John Deere. |
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"And we got good data, so there!" |
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After 7 hours of precision flying, the last thing you want to see are heavy crosswinds. Notice the crab angle on this approach. |
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