2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
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<strong>NASA</strong><br />
B-200<br />
The Research Services Directorate<br />
(RSD) at the <strong>NASA</strong> Langley<br />
Research Center (LaRC)<br />
operates a Beechcraft King Air<br />
B-200 and a similar aircraft, a<br />
former military UC-12B. The aircraft are<br />
based at <strong>NASA</strong> LaRC in Hampton, Virginia.<br />
RSD has experience working with science<br />
customers to optimize missions to meet their<br />
research requirements within the operational<br />
characteristics of the aircraft. The B-200<br />
aircraft are ideally suited for small to midsized<br />
instruments that need dedicated profiles, or<br />
that need to be operated in conjunction with<br />
other instruments in this or other aircraft.<br />
The two aircraft incorporate the following<br />
features and systems: GPS navigation<br />
systems, weather radar, uplinked weather<br />
information and TCAS in the cockpit; 29 x<br />
29-in. and 22 x 26-in. nadir-viewing portals,<br />
with an available pressure dome fitted<br />
for the smaller aft portal; electrical power<br />
distribution and AC conversions systems; GPS<br />
antenna outputs; and Iridium satellite phone<br />
accessibility. An Applanix 510 and associated<br />
PosTrak navigation and display system was<br />
acquired this past year to enhance the<br />
overall navigation system capabilities of the<br />
aircraft. An in situ sampling head, outside air<br />
temperature probe, and hygrometer probe<br />
were installed on the exterior of the UC-<br />
12B to support LaRC’s in situ atmospheric<br />
sampling system. Also, the UC-12B aircraft<br />
has a cargo door for oversized components,<br />
in addition to the passenger entry door.<br />
These twin-engine turboprop airplanes are<br />
certified to 35,000 ft for the B-200 and<br />
31,000 ft for the UC-12B. However, the<br />
aircraft are not Reduced Vertical Separation<br />
Minima (RVSM) certified, and, therefore,<br />
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