P 1 . 1 use of satellite cloud climatology for assessing cloud-free-line-of-sight probabilities

Clouds that block the view of airborne optical sensors are always a source of concern. Methods for assessing the probability of a Cloud-Free Line-Of-Sight (CFLOS) between a sensor and phenomena being observed are of interest in many applications. Experiment planners managing airborne assets would benefit from knowledge of the horizontal and vertical climatology of clouds to maximize the probabilities of successful data collection. A methodology has been developed to apply this method at different locations.