First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Kingair Aircraft Langley DAAC Data Set Document

The First ISCCP Regional Experiments have been designed to improve data products and cloud/radiation parameterizations used in general circulation models (GCMs). Specifically, the goals of FIRE are (1) to improve basic understanding of the interaction of physical processes in determining life cycles of cirrus and marine stratocumulus systems and the radiative properties of these clouds during their life cycles and (2) to investigate the interrelationships between the ISCCP data, GCM parameterizations, and higher space and time resolution cloud data.

To-date, four intensive field-observation periods were planned and executed: a cirrus IFO (October 13 - November 2, 1986); a marine stratocumulus IFO off the southwestern coast of California (June 29 - July 20, 1987); a second cirrus IFO in southeastern Kansas (November 13 - December 7, 1991); and a second marine stratocumulus IFO in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (July 1 - July 28, 1992). Each mission combined coordinated satellite, airborne, and surface observations with modeling studies to investigate the cloud properties and physical processes of the cloud systems.

This document provides information for the following data sets:

• FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR
• FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR

1. Data Set Overview
2. Investigator(s)
3. Theory of Measurements
4. Equipment
5. Data Acquisition Methods
6. Observations
7. Data Description
8. Data Organization
9. Data Manipulations
10. Errors
11. Notes
12. Application of the Data Set
13. Future Modifications and Plans
14. Software
15. Data Access
16. Output Products and Availability
17. References
18. Glossary of Terms
19. List of Acronyms
20. Document Information

FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR:	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus 1 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Kingair Aircraft Data (FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR)
FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR:	First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus 2 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Kingair Aircraft Data (FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR)

FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR
Cirrus IFO-I was conducted from October 13 to November 2, 1986 in central Wisconsin. The NCAR King Air aircraft measured radiation and microphysical properties of the cloud layers, in addition to temperature, moisture, and air motions.

FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR
Cirrus IFO-II was conducted from November 9 to December 8, 1991 in Coffeyville, Kansas. The NCAR King Air aircraft measured radiation and microphysical properties of the cloud layers, in addition to temperature, moisture, and air motions.

Andre J. Heymsfield
National Center for Atmospheric Research
MMM Division
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
USA
Phone: (303) 497-8943
FAX: ...
E-mail: heyms@mmm.ncar.edu

Data Set Name	Min Lat	Max Lat	Min Lon	Max Lon
FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR	40.36	46.82	-96.92	-87.00
FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR	35.95	41.22	-105.31	-95.40

Data Set Name	Begin Date	End Date
FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR	10-14-1986	11-02-1986
FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR	11-09-1991	12-06-1991

FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR
Each of the 15 FIRE Cirrus 1 Kingair data files has 161 variables. Each variable is defined as a 4-byte unsigned integer. The unsigned integer values have to be converted to real numbers for correct reading. Usually the variables are sampled at 1 Hz (per genpro cycle), but some variables are sampled at a higher rate. The sample read routine automatically retrieves the information for all defined parameters, and interprets the binary data accordingly.

FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR
Each of the 15 Kingair data files has 144 variables. Each variable is defined as a 4 bytes unsigned integer. The unsigned integer values have to be converted to real numbers for correct reading. Usually the variables are sampled at 1 Hz per second (per genpro cycle), but some variables are sampled at higher rate. The sample read routine automatically retrieves the information for all defined parameters, and interprets the binary data accordingly.

A general description of data granularity as it applies to the IMS appears in the EOSDIS Glossary.

FIRE_CI1_KINGAIR
Kingair data set has 15 header-data-file pairs for 13 flights because flight 7 has 3 header- data-file pairs. Each flight is named ci1_aircraft_flt#_flightdate, where "aircraft" is 'ka' to mean Kingair, and "flightdate" has the format of yymmdd, e.g., ci1_ka_flt01_861014. When the data from the entire flight is broken into two or more flights, they are labelled a, b, ... after the flight number. The flight number ranges from 01 to 14 for the Kingair. Flight 3 does not exist and flight 7 is numbered 7a, 7b, and 7c. The header files are named granule_name.hdr, and the data files are named granule.dat for Kingair data.

FIRE_CI2_KINGAIR
Kingair data set has 15 header-data-file pairs for 15 flights. Each flight is named ci2_aircraft_flt#_flighttime, where "aircraft" is 'kng' to mean Kingair, flight# is ranging from 01 to 15 for Kingair, and "flighttime" has the format of yymmdd to indicate the date of the flight, e.g., ci2_kng_flt01_911109. The flight name is the same as granule name. The header files are named granule_name.hdr, and the data files are named granule_name.dat.

A header file contains the variable names (or called parameters), and the information regarding sampling rate, scale factors, data size, etc. for the parameters. The data file contains data values of parameters over a specified time period.

Langley DAAC User and Data Services Office
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 157D
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
USA
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807
E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov

Langley DAAC User and Data Services Office
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 157D
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
USA
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807
E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov

The Langley DAAC Information Management System (IMS) is an on-line system that features a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows to query the Langley DAAC data set holdings, to view pre-generated browse products, and to order specific data products. Users may also request data by letter, telephone, electronic mail (INTERNET), or personal visit.

The Langley DAAC User and Data Services (UDS) staff provides technical and operational support for users ordering data. The Langley DAAC Handbook is available in a postscript file through the IMS for users who want detailed information about the Langley DAAC holdings. Users may also obtain a copy by contacting:

Langley DAAC User and Data Services Office
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 157D
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
USA
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807
E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov
URL: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov

NASA - National Aeronautics Space Administration
URL - Uniform Resource Locator

EOSDIS Acronyms.

Document Revision Date:

October 17, 1996; May 28, 1997; November 24, 1997

Document Review Date:

October 17, 1996

Document ID:

...

Citation:

...

Document Curator:

Langley DAAC User and Data Services Office
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807
E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov

Document URL:

http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/GUIDE/dataset_documents/base_fire_kingair_dataset.html