Yep. They do that stuff all the time though, so they’re used to it. They do 10 to 12 hour flights in all quads of those storms, into and out of the eyewall, anywheres from FL015 to FL100. When those birds puncture the eyewall, they typically freefall about 2000’ due to difference in pressure and lift (much lower density altitude). During this time there’s no change in the altimeter reading, except for radar AGL. It’s definetly more exciting than any E-ticket ride that’s for sure.
Interesting that they aborted the flight though. NOAA’s hurricane hunters fly P-3 and G-14’s. Those P-3’s should be able to take pretty much whatever gets dished out, but them G-14’s may not be so tolerant. The G-IV’s are used typically only for high altitude weather observation though.
The AFR 53rd Wx Recon Squadron flies those Lockheed-Martin WC-130J’s. I couldn’t imagine what would cause them to abort on account of weather conditions.
I kinda wish they wouldn’t run again at 11pm. I mean, Felix has already impressed us off the charts and off the wall, we can wait til daylight for another run.
Getting hammered by ice and turbulence isn’t fun. I usually don’t see the NOAA guys in stronger hurricanes, so that’s probably a factor.