DC-8 N817NA Flight #100623

Sensor Payload :

 CAPS, PIP, DAWN, LARGE, LASE, MMS, APR-2, DAWN operated, and drop-sondes operated.

Comments :

After take-off transited at low altitude to sample dust on the way to intercept CloudSat Calypso trajectory. Climbed to altitude for the under-flight of the satellite, then descended again along the same flight line to obtain additional aerosol data.

The next objective involved surveys of PGI-46. Following our flight plan, we entered Venezuelan controlled, international airspace and proceeded south for about 200 nm before the air traffic control center vectored us back to the FIR boundary. No explanation was given for sending us out of the region. The flight plan was modified to remain outside of the FIR boundary and we proceeded to collect data and deployed 19 sondes. Conducted MMS maneuvers at Mach 0.8 and 35,000 ft.