ATL : TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO - RECON DISCUSSION

[HURAKAN]

Remember, this is a research mission, not an operational one.

I know, but still we're not getting anything useful that indicates in what state 96L is.

[Dean4Storms]

I don't understand why this mission is taking place now, can anyone elaborate?

[brunota2003]

It's just a research mission...for what? Dunno, but for something.

[HURAKAN]

I don't understand why this mission is taking place now, can anyone elaborate?

Pure research as far as we know

[cycloneye]

The first operational mission will be tommorow afternoon.

1. SUSPECT AREA (GULF OF MEXICO)
FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 07/1800Z
B. AFXXX 01BBA INVEST
C. 07/1600Z
D. 23.0N 91.0W
E. 07/1715Z TO 07/2200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

[Aquawind]

Hmm.. I would think they would do better with a system completely over water at least versus this..whata waste imo. I guess the budget is not an issue..it should be told what exactly they are flying for..somebody has to be in the know.

[weatherwindow]

if an unscheduled or cancelled mission were suddenly deemed vital ...say this afternoon or evening...how quickly could it be remounted(crew and a/c assigned, planned, briefed and preflighted)?...secondarily, is there something akin to a "hot pad" program in the ops plan of the hurricane hunters..ie, a rotational program which assigns one a/c crewed and mission ready for short lead time recon missions?

[cycloneye]

The Gulfstream jet is flying now if I am right about that.

[cycloneye]

if an unscheduled or cancelled mission were suddenly deemed vital ...say this afternoon or evening...how quickly could it be remounted(crew and a/c assigned, planned, briefed and preflighted)?...secondarily, is there something akin to a "hot pad" program in the ops plan of the hurricane hunters..ie, a rotational program which assigns one a/c crewed and mission ready for short lead time recon missions?

I merged your topic with this recon discussion thread to not have multiple threads in the forum.

[HURAKAN]

As far as we know, they need 24 hours to get ready for a mission.

[lrak]

24hrs, thats a long time IMO.

[brunota2003]

They can and have done taskings in the past in less than 24 hours, they were resource permitted taskings, however.

[KWT]

The first operational mission will be tommorow afternoon.

1. SUSPECT AREA (GULF OF MEXICO)
FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 07/1800Z
B. AFXXX 01BBA INVEST
C. 07/1600Z
D. 23.0N 91.0W
E. 07/1715Z TO 07/2200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

At this rate the system will be inland by that time, or at least close to landfall....

What a poor mistake from the NHC to cancel recon, the 2nd time they've been off the ball with recon in the last week IMO...rather unusual for the superb NHC.

[cycloneye]

Research mission is flying now towards 96L.

[KWT]

well at least we do have a plane in thier right now I suppose, better then nothing.

[Ikester]

The first operational mission will be tommorow afternoon.

1. SUSPECT AREA (GULF OF MEXICO)
FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 07/1800Z
B. AFXXX 01BBA INVEST
C. 07/1600Z
D. 23.0N 91.0W
E. 07/1715Z TO 07/2200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

At this rate the system will be inland by that time, or at least close to landfall....

What a poor mistake from the NHC to cancel recon, the 2nd time they've been off the ball with recon in the last week IMO...rather unusual for the superb NHC.

You say that, but this is hardly an urgent situation. What's the difference, aside from nomenclature, in a tropical depression and a vigorous wave? Nothing. Both will produce IDENTICAL effects. Keep in mind that Recon missions are VERY expensive and are funded by the government--a broke entity. With such a "busy" season ahead (rolls eyes), it is probably best that they are prudent.

[clfenwi]

A few paragraphs that some may find of interest from the recon chapter (PDF) of the National Hurricane Operations Plan

5.5.2.1. Requirement Notification. Notification of requirements must precede
tasked-on-station time by at least 16 hours plus en route time to the area of concern.

5.5.2.2. Prepositioning. The "Succeeding Day Outlook" portion of the
TCPOD provides advance notification of requirements and authorizes units to preposition
aircraft to forward operating locations. For missions requiring prepositioning, the "Succeeding
Day Outlook" may not provide adequate advance notification. In this situation, an "Additional
Day Outlook" may be included in the TCPOD to authorize units to preposition aircraft.

5.5.2.3. Resources Permitting. When circumstances preclude the appropriate
notification lead time, the requirement will be levied as "resources permitting." When a
"resources permitting" requirement is levied in an amendment, the TPC/NHC will indicate the
priority of all existing or remaining requirements.

5.5.2.4. Emergency Requirement. If a storm develops unexpectedly and
could cause a serious threat to lives and property within a shorter time than provided for in the
paragraphs above, CARCAH will contact the reconnaissance units, or higher headquarters, as
appropriate, and request assistance in implementing emergency procedures not covered in this
plan. The TPC/NHC and CPHC directors have authority to declare an emergency.

The last TC I recall being found on an unscheduled "resources permitting" flight was Bret back in 2005. Not sure if there's been one since.

[clfenwi]

A few dropsonde observations showing 1007 millibars at the surface; locations 24.4N 95.5W, 25.2N 95.4W, and 24.4N 95.5W (a second time).

[tailgater]

Anyone know when next recon is scheduled?

[cycloneye]

Anyone know when next recon is scheduled?

Tomorrow morning with departure at 5:45 AM EDT.

FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 08/1200Z
B. AFXXX 01BBA INVEST
C. 08/0945Z
D. 25.5N 96.5W
E. 08/1100Z TO 08/1700Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT