NOAA43 Flying in the hurricane

[N201MKTurbo]

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/NOAA43
 

This airplane does everything we are told not to do.

I found it interesting.

[N201MKTurbo]

NOAA 43 just issued a PIREP for severe turbulence, DUH! 

Edited August 29, 2021 by N201MKTurbo

[exM20K]

20 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

NOAA 43 just issued a PIREP for severe turbulence, DUH! 

And winds 140@ 130 kts. Yikes

[N201MKTurbo]

They were doing a good job with altitude, but the speed varied about 200KTS to maintain it. Not to mention it was a 9 hour mission. I hope they are getting paid well!

[ArtVandelay]

Not to mention it was a 9 hour mission. I hope they are getting paid well!

Whatever it is, it’s not enough to get me to do that job. God bless them.

[1964-M20E]

Well I'm experiencing the effects of IDA on the ground here at my house center passing about 30 miles from me.

[1964-M20E]

video

[Scott Dennstaedt, PhD]

Yes, in a light aircraft this is what you would experience flying through this area today.  EZWxBrief shows EDR values of 55 which is approaching extreme turbulence.  

 

One of the reasons these aircraft fly at 10K is to avoid getting into any significant airframe ice.  These storms tend to dish out some heavy icing and SLD. It's pretty cool that you can see the "hump" in the isotherms with higher temps right in the eye of the storm.  

And here's some extreme turbulence showing up as the weather system passed right by KGAO.  

 

[1964-M20E]

yes we have Katrina's unruly 16 year old daughter coming to visit on Katrina's birthday.  No sweet 16 party

[GeeBee]

4 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

Whatever it is, it’s not enough to get me to do that job. God bless them.

I would pay them to fly that mission. I love weather flying.

 

[0TreeLemur]

Those flights are crewed by NOAA's uniformed branch, the NOAA Corps.  All commissioned officers, some with prior military service, some without.  They wear uniforms and have a rank.  Top notch group of pilots, weather, and logistics experts.

[MB65E]

Fine bunch. They were based out of McDill AFB. Got to know a few of them. They would house the Airshow aircraft during the show in their hangar. Their twin otter platform was cool.

The old P3’s went by names of miss Piggy and Kermit respectively. 
 

They have a few Wild GIV’s that rotate out of Hawaii . I’ve chatted with them a few times. 
Neat Group. 
-Matt

[N201MKTurbo]

It seems like the 16 yo daughter of Katrina is like most teenagers. They think thy are the bomb! But in reality, they have a lot to learn about being bas ass...

[carusoam]

See if @orionflt is around… Brian was doing some maintenance for these planes, I believe…

 

John, Great first hand reporting! Glad to hear from you today!

 

Go MS!

Best regards,

-a-

[orionflt]

I'm not flying into the hurricanes with NOAA, but I am flying the same type of plane. they were short flight engineers so one of the guys I work with headed down to fly with them for a few weeks, I may get the opportunity in the future.

 

Brian

[0TreeLemur]

On 8/30/2021 at 7:25 PM, orionflt said:

I'm not flying into the hurricanes with NOAA, but I am flying the same type of plane. they were short flight engineers so one of the guys I work with headed down to fly with them for a few weeks, I may get the opportunity in the future.

 

Brian

Kewwwwl!  Hope you get to.  I know one of the pilots, and took him for a ride in my Mooney a couple of years ago.   To date, he hasn't reciprocated...

[whiskytango]

Back in 1989 Dr. Jeff Masters of Weather Underground was Flight Meteorologist on a flight into Hugo in NOAA42 (P-3 Orion).  His experience is written up as a 10-part article that starts here: https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/articles/hunting-hugo-part-1

 Very interesting article.

[1964-M20E]

Yeah airplane and hangar made it through IDA,  minor damage to hangar,  no damage at my house.  Now to keep the generators running .  I was worried about plane, couldn't fly it  out mechanical issues .   Hangar was almost in direct path center was about 10 to 15 miles west of hangar .