Edwards AFB Crew Gained Real-Time Data
For all the damage and turmoil wrought by Hurricane Katrina, the
storm did present a "target of opportunity" for researchers with
the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB in California.
Teamed with Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather
Reconnaissance Squadron from Keesler AFB, MS, airmen were able to
use Katrina to gather real-time test data on a new propeller design
for the WC-130 "Hurricane Hunter" airplanes that literally fly into
the eyes of such storms to provide valuable weather data for storm
forecasters.
"The metal petal propeller is a modification to the existing
propeller found on operational WC-130Js," said Mark Miller, project
engineer for the 418th. "Specifically, it's a propeller with metal
covers -- taco-shaped -- that fit over the leading edge to protect
its de-icing equipment. The metal covering is designed to prevent
erosion caused by heavy atmospheric effects during a
hurricane."
The new design helps improve durability of a Hurricane Hunter's
propellers as it endures severe storm conditions, by protecting the
deicing boots on the leading edges of the propeller blades.
Previous hurricane operations identified a higher-than-normal
erosion rate of the boots, as Hurricane Hunters regularly fly
through conditions such as severe rain -- equivalent to two inches
per hour -- and large hail during hurricane season.
Replacing the boots after such encounters resulted in down time
for maintenance. The new design is expected to reduce the
turnaround time to maximize the amount of real-time,
weather-condition data being reported to the National Hurricane
Center in Miami.
So far this year, the team has accumulated just over 83 flying
hours with the new propeller, according to Maj. Frank Delsing, a
418th FLTS WC-130J project pilot. Of those hours, 31 were in actual
storm conditions, including flights into Hurricanes Irene and
Katrina.
"We continued our
testing by flying two sorties into Katrina for a total of 21.5
hours," Mjr. Delsing said. "We penetrated the eye wall 10 times,
including the last fix before the storm hit the Gulf Coast. And
overall, the new propeller performed quite well. It should
significantly increase the durability of the propeller's de-icing
boot during similar operations, and in turn, provide Hurricane
Hunters with a more reliable aircraft."
It is expected the new propeller design will be fitted to the
53rd's Hurricane Hunters in time for the 2006 hurricane season.