NOAA aircraft collects crucial atmospheric rivers data
The NOAA Gulfstream IV-SP jet deployed to Hawaii from December through January to gather crucial data on atmospheric rivers. The data collected by the aircraft is crucial to giving forecasters, water managers and the public up to five days advance notice of the precipitation headed their way. These extreme precipitation events can result in flash flooding, mudslides and catastrophic damage. Learn more about how NOAA studies atmospheric rivers here. Go “Behind the Brief” with Flight Meteorologist Samantha Timmers and learn how our crews prepare for an atmospheric rivers mission.
|
NOAA Hurricane Hunters fly into storms over the North Pacific
This winter, NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion N42RF ("Kermit") flew from Anchorage, Alaska, into extratropical cyclones in the North Pacific. The mission flights measured wind and rain rates in ocean storms in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. The flights also measured coastal ice and sea ice in open water, sampled strong gap wind events and precipitation events, and coordinated measurements with overpasses of satellites with synthetic aperture radars on board. Learn more about the Ocean Winds Winter mission and instruments on board here.
|
Learn about the 'cool' science of snow survey missions
Did you know that not all snow contains the same amount of water? It varies widely, and flood forecasters and water resource managers need to know how much water to expect from it when it melts. This is where airborne snow surveys come in. Starting in the fall, NOAA DHC-6-300 Twin Otter and Beechcraft King Air aircraft collect baseline data on soil moisture. Once those areas are covered with snow, the aircraft will scan the snowpack with a special sensor that can determine how much water the snow contains. Learn about the ‘cool’ science behind snow survey missions here.
|
NOAA Corps welcomes new pilots, launches direct-to-flight program
In December, seven new NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps ensigns arrived at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center to begin their aviation careers. This is the largest-ever class of officers on the aviation pathway to join at once. Two officers joined with the new direct-to-flight career pathway and jumped right into NOAA aircraft operations. The other five officers will attend flight school over the next several months before reporting for duty. The application period for the next Basic Officer Training Class is now open! Find application information here.
|
NOAA pilots swoop in to save endangered sea turtles
NOAA Twin Otter N57RF transported 20 cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles from Massachusetts to Florida on Dec. 23. The turtles will continue rehabilitation at a SeaWorld facility for a few weeks or months before their anticipated release. Helping endangered marine species is not new to the N57RF crew. They also flew North Atlantic Right Whale Surveys throughout the east coast of the United States and Canada as well this winter.
|
Meet the Crew: Cmdr. Danielle Varwig
NOAA Corps officers pilot and navigate NOAA's highly specialized environmental data-gathering aircraft, including the agency's fleet of "hurricane hunter" planes. They also serve in a variety of other roles in support of the agency's science, service and stewardship mission. Hear from pilot Cmdr. Danielle Varwig about her career journey here.
|
Heritage: A long tradition of 'Kermit' visits to Alaska
NOAA WP-3D Orion “Kermit” is no stranger to Alaska. During a deployment to Anchorage in 1992 for the LEADEX/AGASP-IV project, the crew paused for a photo with the aircraft. The main objective of LEADEX was to determine how “leads,” riverlike openings in the sea ice, changed based on the effects of weather systems moving through the area. AGASP-IV, conducted at the same time as LEADEX, measured the properties of Arctic aerosols and gasses over Alaska and the Beaufort Sea.
|
Featured Photo
 On Dec. 8, Capt. Christopher Kerns turned over command of AOC to Capt. Nathan Kahn during a ceremony inside the center's hangar in Lakeland, Florida. Capt. Kahn assumes command after having previously served as the center’s chief of safety, flight operations, safety, standardization and training. Additionally, he is a qualified hurricane aircraft commander and instructor pilot in the WP-3D Orion and instructor pilot in the Beechcraft King Air 350. To date, he has flown 5,000 flight hours and completed more than 250 hurricane eyewall penetrations. Credit: Sophie Talbert
On the Radar
As our aircraft wrap up their winter missions, we are gearing up for exciting opportunities this spring.
Join us for the Women in Aviation International Conference in Orlando, Florida, from March 21-23. Meet the inspiring women behind our missions in various areas of the organization at our exhibit booth. Also, don’t miss the keynote address by Rear Adm. Nancy Hann on March 22. Learn more about the event here.
Mark your calendars for the 50th anniversary of the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo! Visit us for an exciting opportunity to meet our pilots and staff at our exhibit booth.
Hurricane season will be here before you know it! National Hurricane Preparedness Week is coming up from May 5-11. As you prepare your homes for the upcoming season, we will also be preparing our aircraft to ensure that we are collecting data that improves storm forecasts and supports hurricane research.
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for the final episodes of our Science Saturday series on our YouTube channel and Instagram! Learn from our meteorologists exactly how the scientific instrumentation aboard the hurricane hunting aircraft collects data to improve storm forecasts and support hurricane research.
We are looking forward to sharing accomplishments from our spring season with you in the next issue of Flightlines. You can subscribe to the newsletter by signing up here and be sure to follow us on social media!
www.facebook.com/NOAAHurricaneHunters
www.twitter.com/NOAA_HurrHunter
Find us on Instagram @FlyNOAA
|
