Helicopter Observation Platform (HOP)

Helicopter Observation PlatformDuke University created the Helicopter Observation Platform (HOP) user facility in 2004 to extend the state of the art in atmospheric research capability.

Watch a short video on HOP.

The HOP is a Bell 206B3 “Jet Ranger” helicopter, which has been equipped with a three-dimensional, high frequency positioning and attitude recording system, a data acquisition and real-time visualization system, and with high-frequency sensors to measure turbulence, temperature, moisture and CO2 concentration. Thus, it can collect the variables needed to compute the turbulent heat and scalar fluxes (using the eddy-correlation technique) at low altitudes and low airspeeds that are not feasible with airplanes, yet are essential for studying the exchanges between the Earth surface and the atmosphere.

On this site, we present HOP field data, and numerical and analytical studies that emphasize the range of airspeeds at which undisturbed air can be sampled in front of the helicopter nose where its sensors and inlets are attached. In addition to the current sensors, an aerosol lidar and an atmospheric chemistry package are being mounted on the HOP and they will be available for upcoming field campaigns.

Duke University is commited to allowing any interested research group to utilize the HOP, either with the instruments and pods that we have already developed, or with dedicated instruments specific to the planned mission.