After arriving at the Oliktok Point Long Range Radar Station (LRRS) around midday yesterday, we spent the afternoon听at the atmospheric observation facility (called the AMF)听preparing the small fleet of DataHawk aircraft for flight, and the evening getting oriented at the LRRS.
In the morning, after a quick breakfast, we piled into the pick-up and returned to the AMF听to finish preparing the aircraft. Although the physical assembly was complete, a software issue听in the autopilot听causing loss of RC link forced us to break for听lunch without听completing radio range checks. Work on the autopilot took place after lunch. Running several simulations of proposed flight paths tested听the paths,听stored them for future use, and provided听training for the crew. Despite the continuing rain and fog, the forecast showed potential for flight appropriate conditions after dinner. Upon reaching the AMF in the evening, half of the crew took the plane in the truck and drove听east toward the oil rig on the point while the other half monitored the radio link status. At 1.4km, the radio control听link remained strong, but the telemetry link had dropped to -85dB. Given that the aircraft was on the ground and in the truck, we听anticipate range to be significantly听greater than 1.4km.听Unfortunately, the weather had not听improved as forecast, and听flying was pushed off to tomorrow.
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After range checking, we took time to calibrate the IR sensors on the top and bottom of the aircraft. Using a FLIR infrared camera to provide a temperature reading, the aircraft was positioned听over several different surfaces to obtain temperature data. This data was used听to generate a curve that will听be used to interpolate temperature. In flight, the IR sensors will be used to determine the temperature difference between land and sea.听
In all, things are going well here, despite the delays in getting aircraft in听the air. Given the forecast, flying tomorrow is very likely. We are looking forward to at least testing the systems听before moving on to full profiles.
