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.

FMI: www.edwards.af.mil