CSIRO F27 Aids Australian Space Research

A feature of the aircraft is that it can operate as a remote sensing platform one day and as an airborne sampling vehicle the next; alternatively, it can operate in both modes on the one flight. The COSSA Research Aircraft Facility comprises VH-CAT, the specially configured Fokker F27 and a supporting operations team.

VH-CAT’s cabin is expressly geared for the convenience of the user. Uniform size racks containing instruments and data acquisition systems are locked into position and connected to the power outlets (a choice of 240 V/50 Hz, 115 V/400 Hz, or 28 V DC). Sensors or imaging spectrometers protrude from window modules or exterior attachment points, or are mounted in the ‘bomb bay’.

Each scientific group develops, tests and calibrates its equipment after consulting the COSSA operations team about specific aviation and technical factors to be taken into account. The aircraft may also be contracted to drop buoys. Members of the COSSA operations team have been trained as ‘drop masters’ and, last November, began a series of missions to deploy meteorological buoys in the southern Tasman Sea for Esso and the Meteorological Bureau. VH-CAT is also an approved search and rescue aircraft, with Department of Aviation S&R equipment on board.

The larger of the two most recent international projects -the Equatorial Mesoscale Experiment – involved the COSSA F27 and aircraft from NASA, the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (Colorado) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Washington), together with a Chinese research ship. The second international project involved Florida State University and the CSIRO. The consortium used the F27 in a study of the atmospheric cycle over a region of the Southern Ocean.

In mid year, VH-CAT will serve as an airborne test platform in a project aimed at developing a Coastal Zone Colour Scanner sensor as the first step in the development of CZCS-type ocean scanners for future satellites. Since CZCS scanners monitor concentrations of marine phytoplankton pigments near the surface (by measuring ocean colour), they will have a vital role to play in marine biomass studies.

Last month, COSSA called for expressions of interest in participating in a Fluorescence Line Image Scanner Project on board VH-CAT. The FLI provides high resolution spectral and spatial images of low radiance targets such as oceanic water. It also provides data from land targets, principally water bodies such as dams, lakes and rivers. If successful, the mission will both improve the instruments currently considered for a space platform and provide valuable data for Australian scientists.

A collaborative project involving development of a side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) is also planned for 1987/88. This project aims to extend the capabilities and increase Australian content, of a commercially available SLAR. The project will assist the expansion and development of the Australian tuna fishing industry through identification of skipjack tuna schools in the Southern Ocean

COSSA’s current charges are $1500 per day and $700 per hour of flying time for Australian users and $US1000 a day plus $US700 per hour flying time for overseas customers. Engineering and technical assistance, pilots, navigator and all fuel and personnel costs are included in the contract.

Prospective aircraft users may also arrange to lease some of CSIRO’s extensive range of sampling, imaging and sensing instruments. Personnel may, however, require training or technical support to operate many of them.

The COSSA aircraft is a Fokker F27 MK109, a special version built originally for the Department of Aviation. When acquired by the CSIRO in 1979, VH-CAT already differed from the standard 100 series F27 in a number of respects. Its engines had been upgraded to operate at weights of up to 18,400kg and it carries up to 5000 litres of fuel (1000 more than the standard 100 series F27). Now, with additional modifications and fittings it is a sophisticated, international standard R&D platform.

An important feature is its inertial navigation system (INS) that serves as a primary navigation aid and also provides fine details of the flight path. The COSSA navigator on board provides the experimenters with additional navigational data.

Other key modifications and their functions include the installation of 11 hardpoints on the forward fuselage for attachment of external sensor pods and the reinforcement of the nose to accept a detachable cone that carries pressure transducers, temperature probes and wind direction vanes. The 5. 5m long cone, designed and tested by CSIRO in collaboration with the Australian aviation industry, was manufactured at the Bankstown plant of Airfab Ply Ltd. COSSA has contracted to deliver a similar nose cone to Societe d’ Exploitation Et des Construction Aeronautiques (a subsidiary of the French aerospace group, Aerospatiale) in mid 1987.

Other features include a depressurised compartment under the cabin floor which opens to the interior for pressurised operation when the compartment is not in use, blanked-off cabin windows that can be replaced by window modules fitted with protruding instruments and a dropping tube for releasing a sonobuoy from the pressurised cabin. An easy-to-use, on board power unit runs cabin lights, aircraft systems and a small amount of research equipment while VH-CAT is on the ground.

The first point of contact for intending users of the aircraft is the COSSA operations team. It has technical and design expertise and skills in electronics and navigation output systems.

The team supplies users with instrument racks, power distribution chassis and trolleys. With the exception of the actual airborne experimentation, the team coordinates and manages all project activities and provides supporting services (eg. booking motels and hire cars and obtaining aviation clearances and fuel supplies for field operations at remote locations).

East West Airlines provides the crew and also services the aircraft at its Tamworth workshops.

For more information: Mr Dafydd Llewellyn, COSSA Research Aircraft Facility, Corner Vimiera & Pembroke Ads. , Epping 2121. Ph: (02) 868 0421