Precise Airborne Gravity Measurements for Geophysical Exploration

Gerald Washcalus, John Kratochwill, and William Gumert

Abstract:	Carson Services, Inc. has been collecting precise airborne gravity measurements for the petroleum industry and the geodetic community since the 1970's. Data are collected in either a Sikorsky S-61 helicopter or a DeHavilland Twin Otter fixed wing aircraft. The system is based on a LaCoste & Romberg stabilized gravity meter with the necessary navigation, altimetry and data recording equipment. Surveys totaling over 500,000 kilometers have been completed over water, swamp, deserts, high mountains, and jungles from the equator to teh Arctic. Results of surveys are shown. Carson has proposed a long range aircraft system to be used for Polar and mid ocean research. This aircraft would allow enough range to collect gravity and magnetic data easily anywhere in the world. In March, April, and May of 1991 Carson completed intensive testing of a new GPS system and gravity meter. Carson has been flight testing GPS for airborne gravity measurements since 1984. These latest involved phase measurements in long base line dynamic mode using software developed by NASA. (W. Krabill). Results of these tests are presented.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1991) June 10 - 12, 1991 Williamsburg Hilton and National Conference Center Williamsburg, VA
Pages:	61 - 85
Cite this article:	Washcalus, Gerald, Kratochwill, John, Gumert, William, "Precise Airborne Gravity Measurements for Geophysical Exploration," Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1991), Williamsburg, VA, June 1991, pp. 61-85.
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