Mission Plan :

Perform TDR/lifecycle monitoring into T. S. Danny (See proposed track above) , stair step/sawtooth pattern at 12000 ft. with IP approx. 105 nm south of low level circulation. Fly 105 nm legs (See Turn table below) where convection is occurring. dropsondes and BT combinations at endpoints and midpoints of legs, also 5-6 BT's on way to storm spaced roughly one degree apart and 5-6 BT's spaced one degree apart returning from storm.

Mission Summary :

Takeoff was at 07:52:15 UTC. On takeoff a rudder boost shut-off valve problem occurred. It prohibited us from flying in convection. Fuel needed to be burned before we could land so we flew in the clear air to the IP point dropping BT's at half degree intervals we flew east until we reached convection where we turned around returned to the IP and flew about one degree north before returning (See Actual flight track), continuing to drop BT's at half degree intervals. Two dropsondes were released one at the eastern most point and one at the northern most point one degree north of the IP sampling the dry air to the southwest of the convection. Eighteen BT'S were dropped in total. The aircraft returned to Tampa at 12:41:55 UTC.

Mission Evaluation:

No doppler wind analysis legs were completed and sent in real-time. Efficacy of BT drops to be determined.

Paul Leighton
10/19/2009