Critical Component: Navigators are crucial in guiding Hurricane Hunters through storms

• Published in: Citizen Airman Vol. 72; no. 5; pp. 18 - 19
• Main Author: Carranza, Christopher
• Format: Magazine Article Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Air Force Reserves 01-10-2020; Superintendent of Documents
• Subjects: Air bases; Air forces; Aircraft; Critical components; Data collection; Hurricanes; Meteorological data; Military reserves; Navigators; Pilots; Storms; Weather; Weather forecasting
• ISSN: 0887-9680; 1934-4813

Withee explained that while weather officers are gathering weather data and are requesting flyover of an area of interest, it may not be safe for the aircraft to take a direct route. [...]the navigator plots the safest course to accomplish the request and accomplish their mission. Prior to flying with the Hurricane Hunters, Withee flew tactical airlift with a couple of active duty units and has multiple tours in the Middle East. The Hurricane Hunters' goal is to get the aircraft and its crew through their weather data collection mission and send that information to the National Hurricane Center for forecasters to plug into their weather models for better forecasting predictions.