Aircraft Boundary Layer Flux Measurements from 1987 FIFE Campaign

University of Wyoming King Air aircraft collected atmospheric boundary layer data during the 1987 FIFE experiment. The dataset contains linearly detrended flux measurements, including momentum, sensible heat, and latent heat fluxes, calculated using the eddy-correlation method. Data was gathered during Intensive Field Campaigns (IFCs) 3 and 4.

Use Cases

• Analyzing surface-atmosphere energy exchange using sensible and latent heat flux columns.
• Studying turbulence and momentum transfer via gust probe measurements in x, y, and z directions.
• Validating remote sensing or model estimates of carbon, water, and heat fluxes for grassland ecosystems.
• Investigating atmospheric boundary layer structure using statistics and correlations from aircraft passes.

Strengths

• Data uses the eddy-correlation method, a standard for direct turbulent flux measurement.
• Fluctuations were processed with three methods, with this set containing the linearly detrended series.
• Measurements cover specific periods from the 1987 FIFE campaign, providing a focused temporal snapshot.

Limitations

• Exact row count, column names, and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, listing both 1989-10-31 and 2026-03-13.
• Column details are unknown, limiting precise understanding of available variables.

Provenance

Source

University of Wyoming (UW) King Air aircraft, FIFE experiment, likely processed by ORNL_CLOUD.

Collection Method

Aircraft-based measurements using an inertial platform, accelerometers, and a gust probe, with fluxes calculated via eddy-correlation.

Time Range

1987

Freshness

2026-03-13 17:58:06.055691

Geography

FIFE experimental site (Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA).