Work and planning for putting INDOEX payload instruments on the C-130 platform continues. The instrumentation installation/integration on the C-130 will begin in November 1998, not December, as I mentioned in the last newsletter. Starting this integration in November is necessary because of the complexity of the payload. The Research Aviation Facility (RAF) at NCAR which operates the C-130 has prepared a schedule for this integration and will alert investigators of their time slot. For instance, INDOEX C-130 PIs, Hudson and Andreae have been alerted of their November slots.
A flight planning simulation meeting was hosted by JOSS in Boulder on August 6 and 7. Three time periods were presented by the forecasting team, Ge Verver of KNMI (Netherlands) and Greg Stossmeister of JOSS, to the 6 member science and operations group which was assembled. The 3 possible dates presented by the forecasters from KNMI and JOSS were for flights on Feb 4, Mar 10 and Mar 26, 1998. These 3 cases were selected as dates for possible science missions based on a variety of typical weather scenarios. "Indirect effect" flight scenarios were selected by the scientists for each of the possible dates. All were verified as flyable based on actual satellite images for the flight time period selected. The latter two cases verified as "indirect effect" missions while the first date verified for a good "direct effect" flight which was the alternate option for that day. This exercise showed the utility of satellite images for flight selection and indicates the advantages of having a geo-stationary satellite view of the INDOEX study area like Meteosat5 will provide during the IFP. The meeting proved to be a constructive exercise for both the scientists and forecasters and particularly for their interactions in an operational situation. Forecasters derived a much better identification of the critical meteorological information needed for flight planning in INDOEX operations.
Armin Hansel from the University of Innsbruck visited the RAF to discuss arrangements for the installation of a mass spectrometer for the measurement of organic vapors on the C-130. This installation was suggested at the Utrecht meeting. The installation details are straightforward and this instrument can be accommodated on the C-130 platform.
Time to start hepatitis shots? Because the risk of Hepatitis A infection increases with duration of travel and is highest for those who live in or visit rural areas, trek in back country, or frequently eat or drink in settings of poor sanitation (recent studies have shown that many cases of travel-related hepatitis A occur in travelers with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food and beverage consumption behaviors) the JOSS staff recommend that INDOEX participants consult with their personal physician regarding hepatitis A vaccination. There are two hepatitis A vaccines currently licensed in the United States: HAVRIX and VAQTA. For HAVRIX, adults (> 18 years) should be given two doses with the second dose administered 6 to 12 months after the first dose. For VAQTA, adults (> 17 years) should be given two doses with the second dose administered 6 months later. Travelers can be considered to be protected four weeks after receiving the initial vaccine dose.
UCAR-JOSS continues to work on space for operations and offices in the Maldives. A trip to the Maldives in early September to secure the operations space is scheduled. This trip will also see definition of the communications and logistics arrangements.
The "SHIPPING SCHEDULE ALERT!!!" in Newsletter #1 apparently was confusing to some people. The dates noted were meant only as examples of transit times to the Maldives. Shipments will be required on-site at different times and will originate from different locations; therefore, it is not possible to set an exact time line. The information below is intended to give you a clear idea of transit times to the Maldives from the US. Please note that specific dates of air carrier flights and vessel sailings for your shipments may be obtained through your freight forwarder/shipping department. Long delays could occur during winter holidays (late November through mid January). Air transit time is typically 3 to 4 weeks; surface transit time is typically 10 to 12 weeks. Customs clearance and delivery times to the final destinations have been taken into consideration in making the above estimates. Start thinking now about the date on which you need your equipment in the Maldives.
I would like to ask for everyone's help in getting as complete a list as possible of INDOEX "participants". Many of these names are currently on file but I know many are also missing. Would each of the PIs please forward me a list of the people that will be working with them on INDOEX? Name, address, telephone, fax and email address would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.
Just a reminder that if you have information which would be of interest to the INDOEX community, you can send it to me for inclusion in future newsletters.
Bruce Gandrud
INDOEX Project Office
(619) 822-2660 telephone
(619) 822-1632 fax
gandrud@ucar.edu
Jurgen Lobert from C4/SIO is presently in the Maldives for a maintenance trip to the Kaashidhoo Climate Observatory. He reports that a second room at KCO has been converted into lab space for the IFP. 4 more guy wires have been secured to the tower to provide additional strength for the tower during windy periods. A new jetty and harbor are being constructed at Kaashidhoo to accommodate larger boats/ships and these may be available to shoulder the burden of IFP shipping to KCO. An updated list of the PIs and experiments which will be at KCO during the IFP will be available soon on the web.
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