DOCUMENTATIONNASA Grand Canyon Survey
A NASA survey of the Grand Canyon from Palmdale, home of NASA's ER-2s. One calibration line, then three science lines along the canyon from west to east, and back to Palmdale.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | Palmdale (KPMD), P 33, engine shut down |
| End | Full-stop landing at Palmdale (KPMD) |
| Time of day | 09:00, set by the mission. Weather: live |
| Estimated duration | 2 h 16 min |
| Route | 32 waypoints, about 944 NM |
| Minimum altitude for the checks | Above 40,000 ft MSL |
| Recommended observation altitude | At least 60,000 ft MSL |
| Recording strips | 4, held for 30, 45, 60, 60 seconds |
Objectives
The objectives come one at a time, in this order. Each one shows its direction on screen. How the gates and strips work is under Missions.
- Take off: met at liftoff, within 3 NM of the start.
- Climb toward Arizona: fly within 16 NM of the point. Plan a sustained climb before the science area.
- Climb above 40,000 ft MSL: stay above 40,000 ft MSL for 5 seconds. This objective runs beside the route: keep following the waypoints while you climb.
- Set up - Instrument calibration: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 070° true.
- Instrument calibration: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 070° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 30 continuous seconds.
- Clear strip - Instrument calibration: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
- Set up - Western Grand Canyon strip: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 053° true.
- Western Grand Canyon strip: fly inside the strip, 15 × 4 NM on 053° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 45 continuous seconds.
- Clear strip - Western Grand Canyon strip: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
- Set up - Central Grand Canyon strip: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 062° true.
- Central Grand Canyon strip: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 062° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 60 continuous seconds.
- Clear strip - Central Grand Canyon strip: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
- Set up - Eastern Grand Canyon strip: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 119° true.
- Eastern Grand Canyon strip: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 119° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 60 continuous seconds.
- Clear strip - Eastern Grand Canyon strip: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
- Return west: fly within 16 NM of the point. The altitude checks are finished. Plan a gradual descent to Palmdale.
- Return to Base: land within 3 NM of the field. The mission ends 15 seconds after touchdown.
Tips
- A good mission for the ER-2 variant: it is a NASA flight from the ER-2 home base.
- The central and eastern lines need 60 seconds each inside the strip. The western line is only 15 NM long, so do not start late.
- Palmdale is a default MSFS airport: it is not part of the U-2 package.