Re: Gonzo out of commision :(
Posted by Chris in Tampa on 9/27/2017, 7:22 pm
I wondered what was wrong. I saw one mission never left and wondered why.

I see now that they do say "This mission was cancelled due to mechanical problems." a few times here:
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Storm_pages/maria2017/mission.html.

If they need the high altitude data and they can't get the National Science Foundation (NSF) aircraft, they need to use the Air Force aircraft as high as they can dropping sondes. I don't know what's involved with getting the Global Hawk ready. If it was going to be a lengthy outage, maybe something could be arranged with that.

And of course long term, a backup high altitude jet would be nice, but I don't know if that will happen. I didn't even realize they passed a law about that. I haven't read the law, but with other alternatives that might be available they might be able to not be required to have another plane. Even if they got one, we'd probably be talking about it taking time. I would think getting another G-IV like aircraft would be easier than getting another P-3 like aircraft. P-3 has to be able to go into storms. G-IV only has to fly around them. Modifications should be easier for G-IV like aircraft. If there is any wiggle room though, I just don't think they'll be able to get another plane. Congress would have to spell it out very clearly, such as "NOAA, go buy another G-IV like plane as a backup and here is the money allocated to do so". (Maybe they have, I haven't read the bill, but I just doubt it was that clear.)
128
In this thread:
Gonzo out of commision :( - cypresstx, 9/27/2017, 3:51 pm
< Return to the front page of the: message board | monthly archive this page is in
Post A Reply
This thread has been archived and can no longer receive replies.