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B-17 Flying Fortress |
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C-130 Hercules |
Hurricane Hunters
by John Paul
Have you ever heard of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, or the Hurricane Hunters? These people are airborne hurricane trackers, meaning they use airplanes to fly into hurricanes. Hurricane Hunters fly into hurricanes for the U.S. Air Force and the National Hurricane Center. When they track hurricanes, they measure the pressure, find the exact location of the eye or center, and give forecasters accurate wind speeds, all within a 105 nautical mile radius of the eye.
The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron has been around since the middle of the Second World War, when they used the B-17 (Flying Fortress) airplane. Other airplanes that have been used include the WB-25 (Mitchell), the WB-29 (Superfortress), the WB-47 (Stratojet), and the WC-130 (Hercules). The WC-130 Hercules is the airplane that is currently being used, but it has been in service for 30 years! For further information, log on to the Hurricane Hunters web site.
You can also track hurricanes by yourself! Using a hurricane-tracking chart, you can pinpoint where the hurricane is.
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B-17 Flying Fortress |
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C-130 Hercules |
