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I I I I I I I I I I I EXECUTIVE StMfARY The engineering and scientific studi'es conducted under this pI:ogram were closely allied and integrated with other investigations being con- ducted by the Bureau of Reclamation Officle of Atmospheric Wat:er Reslources Management in adjacent areas of the CentriCll Sierra Nevada. 1\.11 Exec:utive Summary of the DRI work now follows. Section I. Research Aircraft Proqraaa This work plan consisted of three principal components: (a) the building of an aircraft instrumentation system on the DRI' s J.12V-7 uircraft (b) using the first phase of this instrum,entation to track SP'6 gas tracer, released from the ground, across complex terrain~ and (c) thel study of con- vection over land below and in stratus clouds. Such convectJ.on, although slow, can be an effective way to transfer air bearing seeding particulates, from the surface to cloud base. I I I I I I I I The aircraft alre~dy had some equipment available for il1lstallation including an inertial navigation system, an FSSP and recording system, a majority of the microprocessor cards and an optical fibre link to be used between the on board computers for noise insolation integrity., Exbting equipment also included a tape recorder, PRTS surface temperature r.adio- meter and IR and visible radiometers. Items still needed weI~e the total air temperature probe, the dew point sensor, the display plot;ter and the SF 6 sampler and analyzer. A continuous flow CCN spectrometeI: and sampling port were to be installed in the aircraft in the second year as well as the development of an SF6 pelletizing apparatus and developing intl!rfacing electronics for the three radiometers, plotter and dewpoint slensor. In summary this data acquisition system was successfull~' desi~Jned, built and installed on the DRI aircraft during the latter paI:t of 1984 and early 1985. A block schematic diagram of the system is given in Figure 1.l. Flights began in March 1985. SF6 releases were made under a subcontract agreement with North American Weather Consultants (Salt Lake City based) and diffusion and dispersion measurements made with the on board trclcing equipment.