Ever been fascinated by hurricanes or wondered how in the world people fly safely into them? Have a passion for flying and love viewing various aircraft? Check out this 2-minute video about what it is like to be a Hurricane Hunter then mark your calendar for the 2018 Hurricane Awareness Tour in Baton Rouge on May 9th!
As part of a week-long tour along the Gulf Coast, the NOAA Hurricane Hunters will be making a stop at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. Come tour two of the Hurricane Hunter aircraft, speak with the pilots, and walk through vendor exhibits from various local agencies and organizations. The event is FREE and the public is invited to attend from 2 pm to 5 pm!
Event Information
What: 2018 Hurricane Awareness Tour
Where: Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field, Multiplex Building
4400 Airpark Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Note: the multiplex building is new and the address is not yet in most mapping software. Click here for a map with directions.
When: Wednesday, May 9th, 2 PM to 5 PM
Admission: FREE! Things To Do:
Tour Hurricane Hunter aircraft
Meet the pilots & flight crew
Speak with hurricane forecasters
Meet with local National Weather Service meteorologists
Walk through exhibits from various agencies & organizations
Learn about weather safety & preparedness
About the Planes
WC-130J – “Hercules”
The WC-130J is a high-wing, medium-range aircraft used in weather reconnaissance missions. This plane is configured to penetrate tropical disturbances and storms, hurricanes and winter storms and obtains data on the movement, size and intensity of these systems. The WC-130J is the weather data collection platform for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. It carries a minimal crew of five: pilot, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer and weather reconnaissance loadmaster. The crew collects and reports weather data as often as every minute.
NOAA Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) – “Gonzo”
NOAA’s Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) jet is a high-tech, high-flying, and high-speed platform used for hurricane forecasting and research. It is a sophisticated twin-engine jet piloted by NOAA Corps officers and crewed by NOAA civilian engineers and meteorologists. The G-IV flies around and over developing tropical cyclones to create a detailed picture of the surrounding upper atmosphere. It has a range of nearly 4,000 nautical miles and a cruising altitude of 45,000 feet.
Participants
NOAA Aircraft Operations Center
USAF Hurricane Hunters
National Hurricane Center
NWS Weather Prediction Center
NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Weather Forecast Office
NOAA SeaGrant
Baton Rouge Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
United States Coast Guard
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
American Red Cross
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
Louisiana National Guard
Louisiana Department of Health
Baton Rouge Fire Department
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
Acadian Ambulance
Animal Control and Rescue
St. George Fire Department
Lifeshare Blood Centers
United Way
We’d like to acknowledge the following for their support of the event:
