The primary objective of the European eXport of Precursors and Ozone by long-Range Transport (EXPORT) project is to characterise and quantify the photochemical air pollution both forming over Europe and being exported eastwards from Europe. The data held at BADC was collected during a co-ordinated 3 aircraft flying campaign in August 2000 based at Oberpfaffenhofen in Southern Germany. Measurements were made of many photochemical parameters including ozone, its precursors, other oxidants and both gas phase and particulate tracers in the air over Europe and that being transported eastwards out of Europe.

This dataset contains airborne atmospheric and chemistry measurements taken on board the Met Office C-130 Hercules aircraft flight A772 for the EXPORT project. The flight was from Oberpfaffenhofen to Romania and back.

After an uneventful pre-flight the aircraft departed just under five minutes behind schedule. There were a few tense moments when it was realised that the GPU was in danger of running out of fuel. This was replaced but it is obvious that procedures need to be put in place to eliminate this risk!

Diplomatic problems were also encountered with the Romanian authorities. The DLR and MRF clearances appeared to have been muddled and at 10:56 GMT we were refused entry to the Romanian air space. MRF base sorted the problem, receiving a signal authorising clearance at 11:17 GMT. Fortunately, the intended operating area had shifted westward and a suitable region was located in eastern Hungary.

The mission scientists were happy with the polluted air, which was sampled. At the southern extent large convective cells were encountered but conditions were more stable to the North.

No major instrument problems were noted during the flight. Overall the flight was reasonably successful.