Project ARCTAS, Fairbanks, AK; 09 Apr 08

During our stay in Fairbanks, NASA had several interesting aircraft on temporary detachment at the airport. They were taking part in the ARCTAS Project - Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere form Aircraft and Satellites. More details can be found here, but the project aims were to better understand the chemistry of the atmosphere over the Arctic, and its role in climate warming. Three NASA aircraft took part in the project - a DC-8, P-3 Orion and a Beech B-200 King Air (based at Barrow, AK for most of the project). The aircraft used sophisticated equipment to study and measure air pollution gases and aerosols, and solar radiation.

In addition to the NASA aircraft, also participating was a P-3 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and a Convair from the Canadian Department of Energy (DoE). The 4 aircraft at Fairbanks were housed in Everts' North hangar, and thanks to a friend at Everts, we were able to visit and photograph the aircraft, on a particularly dreary and snowy day!

Later in the day, we also photographed an Aero Commander belonging to the NOAA, presumably involved in supporting the project.

On our return to Fairbanks later in the trip, we were lucky enough to catch the DC-8 departing on one of its last missions before returning to the somewhat warmer climate of Palmdale, CA.

Thanks to our friend at Everts for enabling us to visit the NASA hangar, and helping to salvage some good from a very dull, disappointing day!

BACK to Alaska Blog
BACK to Civil Aviation Index