US NOAA P3 Orion Hurricane Hunter at RDU 
Thursday, May 7, 2009, 03:41 PM
Posted by Charley
The Hurricane Hunter (P3 Orion) arrived yesterday at RDU. I was able to get out there and check it out. I was actually amazed at how crude the inside of the airplane was but if it works....don't break it! I can only imagine what it would be like to be in this canister for 8~12 hours ramming through a hurricane 7~10 times.

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Storm Chasing - Reservations 
Sunday, February 15, 2009, 07:23 AM
Posted by Charley
I finally have my flight reservations. I managed to get a fairly decent price of $257.00 including all taxes. I'm on Delta from RDU-->JFK-->DEN on the way out and returning I'll be going DEN-->ATL-->RDU. Now I just need to get an extra day hotel reservation as I'll be arriving a day early. I wanted to get there a day early for two reasons. One to adjust to the time difference and also to adjust to the altitude. I've been to Denver before and when you start running around you can get winded very easily.

Now I need to get all the equipment together that I will be taking. I need to travel smart and light.

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Storm Chasing - Planning 
Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 07:27 AM
Posted by Charley
I just got a not from the Storm Chasers that the date I selected was modified. Weather schedules change and we need to be flexible so my trip is now scheduled for June 6~13th, 2009. Actually the weather should even be better so I'm OK with that change.

Next I need to start my search for flights to Denver. Time is not on my side for this.....the sooner I do this the cheater the flights!

I also found a Excel spreadsheet template that will help with my planning...it just needs a bit of modification to fix the "Tornado" chasing effort.

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Storm Chasing - Planning 
Monday, February 2, 2009, 02:41 PM
Posted by Charley
I'm starting to realize that I'm going to need supplies and really need to start planning on the essentials to bring. Need to figure out what is really "important" and leave the rest behind. I'm going to start a spreadsheet or Acess DB to get it all in order.

I received my itinerary from the Storm Chasers. Looks to be a full schedule!

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Storm Chasing 
Friday, January 30, 2009, 11:39 PM
Posted by Administrator
Ok..so here I am. I cannot believe I'm doing this. My degree is actually Climatology (via Geography), minor in CS and I'm off on my first adventure. First off....I am educated but not great at spelling...nuf said...

Today I just signed up/put my deposit down for "Tornado Chasing"! This is something I have wanted to do for some time and now this dream is coming true.

My departure date is : Departure May 30th, 2009 for one week.
I'm so cranked I cannot even describe the feeling. I truly believe this is my lifelong "adventure" dream!!!

I'm filled with reservations, doubt, excitement and I'm not sure what else but it is "wxfantastic"! When I put down my deposit I was shaking thinking about the adventure. What I'm trying to convey is my feeling of anticipation.

I'll be working with Cisco to see if they can "sponsor" me in some sense with "Cisco Technology". I'm also thinking of doing some media streaming to elementary schools in Raleigh or actually anywhere....

More tomorrow as things shake out....

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