Archive for June 17th, 2005

Proclaiming Rain Falls Mainly to a Plane

Friday, June 17th, 2005

That’s the title to an article appearing in July 2005 issue of Technology Review. In an effort to improve weather forecasting, sensors are being attached to commuter airplanes and transmitting real-time weather information to a central ground station.Some facts…

  • Most weather forms in the lower levels of the atmosphere – below 20,000 feet.
  • In the US 69 weather balloons take readings twice a day.
  • 64 commuter planes are involved in this project.
  • Measurements are taken every time an aircraft takes off or lands: 600-800 per day.
  • While cruising, aircraft take periodic measurements.
  • AirDat, located in Morrisville, NC processes the sensor data.

Proclaiming Rain Falls Mainly to a Plane

Technology Review

Mesaba Airlines

AirDat