HEFT08 / GISMOS

HEFT-08 is one of the series of airborne projects that are conducted by EOL RAF to allow instrument developers flight time on the GV. Initially, HEFT projects were put in place to provide test flight opportunity to the HIAPER HAIS instrument developers. Presently, HEFT projects accommodate other developers as well. HEFT projects are not considered research field experiments and do not have an important scientific objective. Their goal is instrument validation, performance testing and preparation for research field deployments.

EOL policy prescribes that all equipment that is considered mission-critical for field projects on the GV must test fly on the GV prior to the test flights for the approved research project. This is because GV flight characteristics are quite unique (high air speed, dynamic heating of inlets, special configuration of inlets, strict certification requirements) and any issues that might affect readiness or performance during approved field projects must be resolved well in advance and not jeopardize the research. HEFT projects are one of the ways for instrument investigators to comply with this requirement.

HEFT-08 will have extended flight hour allocation due to the approval of the GISMOS project, which will be integrated with HEFT-08 objectives and includes flight hours dedicated to testing and algorithm development for GISMOS, a GPS occultation instrument from the HAIS solicitation. Note that the GISMOS project includes several specific flight plans and overnight stays for the GV and all instrument operators onboard outside of RMMA. The location of these stays is TBD but will most likely be on the Gulf Coast or in Florida.