May 2006 Navigation

John SonntagEG&G Technical Services, Inc.

10 October 2006

Navigation Techniques

Two navigation tools available

Soxmap Used for May 2006 GISMO

Standard Twin Otter tool

Visual aid for flight crew

Best for following curved path

Course Deviation Indicator (CDI)

Will be used for 2007 GISMO

Can couple to aircraft steering

Good repeatability for long straight lines

23 May 2006 Mission Plan

Flight plan was out-and-back

Thule to Camp Century, then southeast along 18 May 1999 ATM/KU flight track

Inbound leg offset 25 m to south of outbound

Constant 10,000' pressure altitude

23 May 2006 Steering ErrorOutbound from Thule

23 May 2006 Steering ErrorInbound to Thule

24 March 2006P-3 Steering Error with CDI

Lessons Learned from May 2006

2006 GISMO flight used Soxmap / Twin Otter combination Configuration more suitable for outlet glacier

work Steering within +/-50m, could be better

2007 GISMO flights will use CDI with P-3 Better repeatability for straight flight lines Soxmap backup

More info: atm.wff.nasa.gov; click “Aircraft Navigation”