The Impact of Sensor Response on the Representation of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Phenomena by Airborne Instruments

Large-eddy simulations are used to evaluate the impacts of sensor response on the representation of meso-γ-scale and micro-α-scale phenomena by aircraft-borne meteorological instruments. Synthetic thermodynamic state variables are developed using large eddy simulations. Offline models for simple/generic fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft are used to evaluate the representativeness of mixed-layer vertical profiles and storm-generated outflow boundaries. The experiment parameter space also includes air speed (ascent/descent rates) for fixed-wing (rotary-wing) aircraft since the large gradients that characterize these phenomena might be better represented at lower air speed (ascent/descent rates). However, when instantaneous representation of a rapidly evolving phenomenon is required, slower air speeds may ultimately degrade the accuracy of in-situ observations. This tradeoff is quantified in this research.