NASA - DC-8, AIRBORNE LABORATORY EXPERIMENTER HANDBOOK (JUN 2002)

NASA - DC-8, AIRBORNE LABORATORY EXPERIMENTER HANDBOOK (JUN 2002)., Since August 1987, NASA has been operating a Douglas DC-8-72 Aircraft (NASA 817) for research activities in earth, atmospheric, and space sciences. This aircraft, extensively modified as a flying laboratory, is based at Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), Edwards, California. It is operated for the benefit of researchers whose proposals have been previously approved by NASA Headquarters. Airborne laboratory flights may be operated out of DFRC or from deployment sites worldwide, according to the research requirements. The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint prospective DC-8 researchers with the aircraft and its capabilities. The handbook also contains procedures for obtaining approval to fly experiments, outlines requirements for equipment design and installation, and identifies the personnel and facilities that are available at DFRC for supporting research activities in the DC-8 airborne laboratory. This handbook is managed and revised from time to time by the DFRC Airborne Science Directorate.