On Jul 13, 8:02*am, "Don Phillipson" wrote:
"micky" wrote in message

...

OT *Why such a big plane?

They are doing an aerial survey of air pollution this month over the
area between Baltimore and DC. *I don't disapprove, I probably
approve, but I dont' unsderstand why they are using a 4-engine,
properller plane. 117 feet long (or wide)

Your accountant may understand. * If you already own a flying
laboratory (i.e. have already paid for its equipment, maintenance
and aircrew, and must pay its future costs whether in use or idle)
it may be cheaper to use this rather than rent a smaller aircraft
and convert it (installing nine scientific instruments etc.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

That's a P3. Commonly used by the navy as sub hunter but also used as
a research platform by numerous agencies. Originally based on the
commercial lockheed electra shortened with larger engines. Can carry
about it's own weight is fuel and can fly on just 2 of the 4 engines
allows this plan to stay airborn for easily 14 to 16 hours or more.
This is also the plane that they fly through hurricanes. They can
carry a myriad of electronic equipment and can be easily refitted for
various tasks. I'm sure this is what nasa already had as an arial
research platform and it makes perfect sense for them to use it for
this study.