Why are planes flying low over Richmond?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Those in the Richmond area may notice low-flying planes throughout the last week of June.

Starting Sunday, June 22 and ending Thursday, June 26, NASA research aircraft will make a series of low-altitude flights along the East Coast.

Richmond, Hopewell and Hampton are among the Virginia cities where these flights will take place. Other metropolitan areas include Baltimore, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to NASA.

During this time, locals may notice one or two planes flying lower than normal around power plants, landfills and urban areas, or performing specialized maneuvers such as vertical spirals. These planes will also conduct missed approaches at local airports.

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All of this is being done to collect air samples near the surface in support of the Student Airborne Research Program (SARP). Through an eight-week summer internship with SARP, undergraduates receive hands-on scientific experience.

NASA will conduct additional flights on the West Coast in California from June 29 to July 2.

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