I don't think the video does justice to what these guys have to endure. NOAA plane flies through eye of powerful Hurricane Irma, dramatic videos show | Fox News Anybody know the altitude they typically fly at, and where the max (altitude) winds are?
Looks like a P-3 Orion from the wing and engines. I know the C-130J's fly anywhere from 1,500ft to 10,000ft when they survey a hurricane. Then there is the Gulfstream IV that they use that flys above 30 to 40,000ft....above the hurricane. The Weather Channel has been showing this since Harvey & Irma but the vid is 2 yrs old....the Hurricane Hunter fleet both NOAA and Air Force. A 3D Look at the Hurricane Hunter Fleet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrRd7Uwynik
There's not enough ativan in the world to get me on one of those planes. They must be beefed up somehow. I'd be worried the wings would snap off from what I suspect would be some serious turbulence.
Yep... Lockheed Electra II.... The engine mounts and wing skins were all redesigned after the engines started departing the wings on a couple planes. The Orion II has a shorter fuselage than the Electra II and is beefed up structurally. For really long loiter missions they can shut down 1 and 4. C-130 is also a very old Lockheed plane... Friend of a friend flew Orions,.. knew the crew of the captured plane by PRC. (Lockheed built previous planes named Orion and Electra...)
interesting read about the Hurricane Hunters. http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-necessary-danger-of-repeatedly-sending-planes-into-1802384073
The two NOAA Orions are named Kermit and Miss Piggy and their Gulfstream is named Gonzo. Obviously someone there likes the Muppets!
