Laserfiche WebLink
<br />\ ' <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />II <br />II <br /> <br />seeding agent solution and burns silver iodide at a rate of two <br />grams per minute of operation (approximately two gallons of liquid <br />solution each hour). Each plane carries a total of 720 grams silver <br />iodide and is capable of continuous seeding for 3 hours. The planes <br />are flown on an as-needed basis. In 1993 the 4 cloud base planes <br />were stationed at Lakin, Johnson, syracuse and Scott City. <br /> <br />The Dodge City-based cloud top aircraft, equipped with its <br />specially-built dispenser capable of carrying 150 - 200 pounds of <br />dry ice, dispenses dry ice at 5 pounds per minute. Another 200 <br />pounds of dry ice are normally carried aboard the plane in <br />styrofoam containers to extend in-flight seeding capability. The <br />aircraft seeds at temperatures of -10C to -12C---usually about the <br />20,000 foot level in normal surorners---penetrating either the tops <br />of newly growing clouds near the parent storms or new storm growth <br />on multi-celled lines as shown in Figure 3 (page 10). <br /> <br />The WKWM design of its cloud seeding operations is similar to <br />other seeding programs of its kind: The meteorologis~ makes the <br />operational decision to launch and position the seeding aircraft. <br />Once the pilot arrives at the storm, the meteorologist and pilot <br />confer on what the pilot finds and what on radar and visually (if <br />possible); the meteorologist makes the decision whether to begin <br />seeding. Unless planes run into emergencies, run out of seeding <br />agent or become low on fuel, flight termination decisions are ~ade <br />by the meteorologist. WKWM pilots are highly trained and become <br />experienced as interns for at least a year before being allowed to <br />fly in the updraft areas and near the precipitation cores of. severe <br />thunderstorms where they have to work. Communications and teamwork <br />must work well in order for the program to operate effectively and <br />be successful. The 1993 team composed of pilots" pilot interns and <br />meteorologists was another very high caliber group like so many we <br />have had in past years... highly dedicated to the success of the <br />WKIVM Program. <br /> <br />18 <br />