The VOCALS field campaign employs several aircraft as platforms for instruments used to measure important aspects of the atmosphere in the Southeast Pacific. These research aircraft have special inlet ports that bring air from the outside into the plane so scientists can sample it and make measurements.

The U.S.A.'s National Science Foundation (NSF) owns a C-130 airplane which is operated by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The C-130 helps scientists investigate atmospheric chemistry, including aerosols, in the VOCALS study region. Instruments on the C-130 also take measurements that are relevant to the study of cloud microphysics and atmospheric turbulence. The aircraft carries radar and LIDAR that are used for remote sensing.

The Atmospheric Sciences Program (ASP) of the US Department of Energy (DoE) has a Gulfstream 159 airplane involved in VOCALS. Called the G-1 for short, this plane also takes measurements in support of studies of atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, cloud microphysics, and turbulence.

The Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) is a research center at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. The CIRPAS Twin Otter airplane uses radar to collect data via remote sensing. The Twin Otter also gathers data on cloud microphysics and turbulence as part of VOCALS.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with a research center in Germany, also operates an airplane involved in VOCALS. The NERC Dornier 228, nicknamed "D-CALM," is used for remote sensing and cloud imaging work.

Finally, a second aircraft from the United Kingdom is part of the VOCALS research "air force." Operated by the UK's Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM), the BAE-146 jet measures quantities relevant to the study of cloud microphysics and aerosols. It also carries instruments that help with studies of Earth's radiation budget.

The VOCALS field campaign uses several airplanes and one jet to carry instruments. Those instruments take many kinds of measurements of the atmosphere in the Southeast Pacific. These research aircraft have special inlet ports that bring air from the outside into the plane so scientists can sample it and make measurements.

The U.S.A.'s National Science Foundation (NSF) owns a C-130 airplane. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) operates that plane. The C-130 helps scientists study tiny particles called aerosols and the chemistry of the atmosphere. The plane also helps scientists study how clouds form and how swirling air affects weather and climate. It also carries radar and a special laser to help make measurements.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has a Gulfstream 159 airplane involved in VOCALS. The plane is called the G-1 for short. It also helps measure atmospheric chemistry and aerosols. Like the C-130, it helps scientists understand how clouds form and the effects of turbulence.

A third plane used in VOCALS comes from the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS). That is part of the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. The CIRPAS Twin Otter airplane uses radar to collect data. The Twin Otter also gathers data on cloud formation and turbulence as part of VOCALS.

The other two VOCALS aircraft are from the United Kingdom. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) uses a type of plane called a Dornier 228. It is called "D-CALM" for short. It takes pictures of clouds from the air.

Finally, the second aircraft from the United Kingdom is a jet. It is from the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM). The BAE-146 jet also helps scientists understand cloud formation and aerosols. It also helps them measure how much sunlight can pass through the clouds, and how much gets reflected back to space.

The VOCALS field campaign uses several airplanes and one jet to carry instruments. Those instruments take many kinds of measurements of the atmosphere in the Southeast Pacific. These research aircraft have special inlet ports that bring air from the outside into the plane so scientists can sample it and make measurements.

The U.S.A.'s National Science Foundation (NSF) owns a C-130 airplane. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) flies that plane. It takes lots of measurements for VOCALS.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has a Gulfstream 159 airplane. That plane, which is called the G-1 for short, is helping the VOCALS scientists too.

A third plane used in VOCALS comes from the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS). That is part of the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

The other two VOCALS aircraft are from the United Kingdom. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) uses a type of plane called a Dornier 228. It is called "D-CALM" for short. It takes pictures of clouds from the air.

Finally, the second aircraft from the United Kingdom is a jet. It is from the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM). The BAE-146 jet can fly higher than the other planes in VOCALS.