2012 NDCMP Final Report North Dakota Cloud Seeding

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission
2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report details Weather Modification, Inc. (WMI) activities during the 2012 NDCMP field operations. This was the 52nd consecutive summer season of the NDCMP project. Operations were conducted by WMI in this, the final season of a three-year contract with the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board (NDARB). WMI provided eight specially modified aircraft, seeding equipment, pilots, aircraft maintenance, aircraft data systems, aircraft tracking and telemetry, intern copilot training, and communications equipment in the state radars. The aircraft mix was the same as 2010-11, with a high-performance, turbine powered aircraft (Piper Cheyenne II) serving as the Williston cloud-top seeding aircraft. The Minot cloud-top seeding aircraft was a hybrid along with one of the Bowman aircraft, meaning that those aircraft (Cessna 340As) are primarily base seeders, but with the capability and equipment to conduct top seeding. The other five aircraft (Piper Seneca II) on the project continued to be base seeding only.
Figure 1 (left). N9798C, Seed 5 conducts a routine maintenance flight near Watford City, ND on a sunny August evening. Picture by WMI pilot Greg Snodgrass.
District I included Bowman County, and, Conner, Hume, Carroll, Cash, Sheets, Mineral Springs, and Cedar Creek Townships of southern Slope County. Two aircraft were based in Bowman, one capable of conducting cloud-top seeding if needed (a C340A hybrid), and the other a base-seeding Seneca II. District II operated in McKenzie, Mountrail, Ward and Williams Counties. One cloud-base aircraft each was based in Stanley and Kenmare, and two cloud-base aircraft were based in Watford City. A hybrid C340A aircraft was based in Minot, and the cloud-top aircraft was based in Williston. Operations were conducted on a 24-hour per day, 7-day per week basis. The project period ran from June 1 through August 31. A summary of project data shows that the eight project aircraft flew a total of 639.85 hours (District I 131.23 hours, District II 508.62), dispensing 139.85 kilograms of silver iodide and 4,767.2 lbs. of dry ice pellets.
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The weather for the 2012 NDCMP was characterized mostly by upper level ridges setting up over the project areas being broken down by shortwaves. The summer started out very active as several shortwaves moved through both districts. District II operated on a nearly daily basis in June, while operations in District I were conducted every few days (near normal). Flight hours for the 2012 season were above average due to the active early summer weather pattern. July was still a fairly active month, while operations in August declined significantly, especially for District II. Even with an active start to the 2012 season, precipitation amounts for the summer (JuneAugust) were below average. This is partially due to having many thunderstorms with higher cloud bases than average, which caused less of the precipitation to actually make it to the surface. Moderate drought conditions existed in District I for most of the summer, while slight drought conditions existed in District II during the latter part of the summer. Rain enhancement continued through the end of project due to dry conditions, even though harvest started in midAugust. Overall, it was a typical summer leaning more towards the dry side.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ 2 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
5.1 5.2
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 8 ECONOMIC IMPACT....................................................................................................................11 2012 AIRCRAFT CONTRACTOR ....................................................................................................12 PROJECT DESIGN ........................................................................................................................13 OPERATIONAL AREAS .................................................................................................................13
WMI AIRCRAFT BASE LOCATIONS ...............................................................................................................13 NDARB WEATHER RADAR SITES..................................................................................................................15
6.0 7.0
7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4
DAILY OPERATIONS ....................................................................................................................16 METEOROLOGICAL SYNOPSIS .....................................................................................................17

JUNE 2012 .................................................................................................................................................17 JULY 2012 ..................................................................................................................................................19 AUGUST 2012 ............................................................................................................................................20 WEATHER SEASON IN SUMMARY ...............................................................................................................22
8.0
8.1 8.2
AIRCRAFT ...................................................................................................................................22
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ..........................................................................................................................24 WMI AIRCRAFT TELEMETRY SYSTEM - AIRLINK ............................................................................................25
9.0
9.1
SEEDING EQUIPMENT.................................................................................................................26
SEEDING EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE .......................................................................................................27
10.0 11.0 12.0

12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6
WEATHER RADAR SYSTEM ..........................................................................................................28 PROJECT RECORD KEEPING.........................................................................................................30 WMI AND NDARB PROJECT PERSONNEL .....................................................................................31
GROUND SCHOOL......................................................................................................................................31 PILOTS.......................................................................................................................................................32 COPILOT INTERNSHIP.................................................................................................................................32 NDARB METEOROLOGY STAFF ...................................................................................................................33 NDARB ADMINISTRATION..........................................................................................................................37 WEATHER MODIFICATION INC. ADMINISTRATION......................................................................................38
13.0
13.1
PUBLIC RELATIONS .....................................................................................................................40

SAMA CONFERENCE...................................................................................................................................40
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14.0
AWARDS.....................................................................................................................................40
WILBUR E. BREWER PROFESSIONALISM AWARD .....................................................................................................40 OUTSTANDING INTERN AWARD..............................................................................................................................40
15.0 16.0
POLCAST (POLARIMETRIC CLOUD ANALYSIS AND SEEDING TEST) IV............................................41 CONTRACTORS SUMMARY ........................................................................................................43
APPENDIX ITEMS....................................................................................................................................44
APPENDIX A ...........................................................................................................................................................44 APPENDIX B ...........................................................................................................................................................44
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 (left). N9798C, Seed 5 conducts a routine maintenance flight near Watford City, ND on a sunny August evening. Picture by WMI pilot Greg Snodgrass................................................................................. 2 Figure 2 (left). Fields of barley lay in wait for a looming hail storm in the distance. Picture provided by WMI. .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3. Weather Modification, Inc. and Fargo Jet Center headquarters, located on Hector Intl Airport, Fargo ND.....................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 4 (left). N39655 (Seed 4) returns to base after a mission during sunset. Photo by WMI pilot Phil Kost. ...........................................................................................................................................................13 Figure 5 (left). NDARB personnel, (Mark Schneider shown) assess the runway situation in Watford City, ND. Due to construction during the 2012 NDMCP project period, fuel was not available at this location. The two aircraft based here (Seed 5 and Seed 6) routinely fueled in Williston or Stanley prior to returning to Watford City after each mission. Photo courtesy of NDARB......................................................................................14 Figure 6 (right). 2012 NDCMP Operational Target Areas. Graphic provided by NDARB...............................15 Figure 7. Throughout the summer, precipitation was below normal for most of North Dakota...................17 Figure 8. District I precipitation was slightly, to well below, normal for June, while precipitation in portions of District II was well above normal.............................................................................................................18 Figure 9. SPC severe hail reports for June showing District II with significant hail reports, and District I with no significant reports. .................................................................................................................................18 Figure 10. Precipitation in both districts was slightly below, to fairly well below, normal for July................19 Figure 11. SPC severe hail reports for July showing significant hail reports for both districts.......................20 Figure 12. Precipitation for District II was well below normal, while precipitation for District I was slightly to well below normal. .....................................................................................................................................21 Figure 13. SPC severe hail reports for August showing one significant hail report in District II. ...................21 Figure 14 (right). Cessna 340A, N340FR (Seed 9) ready on the ramp in Minot, ND for its next mission. Photo by WMI Pilot Peter Van Duzer.....................................................................................................................22 Figure 15 (left). Cheyenne II, N234K (Seed 7) after a late afternoon mission in Williston, ND. Photo courtesy of NDARB....................................................................................................................................................23 Figure 16 (left). WMI aircraft datalogger, installed in the rear of a seeding aircraft. Visible is its rugged casing and secure mounting. LED lights on its front panel indicate operational status. ...............................25 Figure 17 (left). WMI 102-count ejectable flare racks mounted to the belly of a top seeding aircraft..........26 Figure 18 (right). WMI burn-in-place flare rack with 75g silver iodide flares................................................26 Figure 19 (left). The 200lb. capacity dry ice hopper installed in N234K. The hopper is sealed to hold cabin pressurization and augers dry ice pellets down through the aircraft belly. This hopper was designed and installed in 2010..........................................................................................................................................26 Figure 20. A lit WMI Lohse silver iodide generator burns as S8 base seeds, picture by WMI Pilot James Kovac..........................................................................................................................................................27 Figure 21. Bowman weather radar tower, picture by NDARB Meteorologist Amanda Wertz.......................28
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Figure 22. Stanley weather radar atop the operations building, picture by NDARB Meteorologist Leandro Ribeiro........................................................................................................................................................29 Figure 23 (left). The iPads were encased in a protective cover and also included several other applications such as ForeFlight (designed specifically for aviation navigation) and additional weather/radar information. Picture courtesy of WMI. ............................................................................................................................30 Figure 24 (right). An NDARB iPad shown on the PARS live acquisition screen, June 14, 2012 for Seed 2. Image courtesy of NDARB. ..........................................................................................................................30 Figure 25. Hans Ahlness, WMI Vice President of Operations, describes how the Lohse wing-tip generator works during ground school in Bismarck, ND. Picture courtesy of NDARB...................................................31 Figure 26. Jody Fischer, WMI Chief Pilot, discusses the NDARB pilot internship and what its like to be a cloud seeding pilot with a potential candidate at the 2012 SAMA Conference in Grand Forks, ND...............40 Figure 27. POLCAST4 participants pose in front of UNDs dual polarimetric radar. Pictured are (left to right) Jeff Tilley and Dave Delene (UND), Darin Langerud (NDARB), Tony Grainger (UND), Paul Kucera (NCAR), and UND students Mariusz Starzec, Phondie Simelane, Timm Uhlmann and Nicole Bart. Photo by UND graduate student Travis Toth. ....................................................................................................................................41 . ..................................................................................................................................................................42 Figure 28. WMI C340 aircraft, N98585, shown on the ramp in Fargo, ND as it awaits a POLCAST4 mission. Visible are the window inlets for the CCNC, hygroscopic flare rack and flares, and the FSSP and AIMMS-20 3D wind probes on the left wing. Photo by Jane Ahlness. ...........................................................................42
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
North Dakota farmers have historically faced above-average crop losses due to hail and drought; these challenges have contributed to reduced crop yields and farm incomes. This led to the search for ways to manage these conditions, which could consequently improve the average North Dakotans way of life. One promising new technology was the emerging science of weather modification. The first cloud seeding activities of record in North Dakota occurred in 1951, performed by farmers using ground based generators. In 1961 the founders of Weather Modification, Inc. began using aircraft for a program to suppress hail in a target area of 540 square miles, in the central area of what is now District I. This area has had an active program in some form each year since, with the exception of 1990 when District I did not participate in cloud seeding operations due to budget constraints. The history of District II is very similar, starting one year later and remaining active in various counties every year since. This year marked the 54th consecutive season of some form of seeding in Ward County. A third district, including Benson, Nelson, and Griggs Counties, started operations in 1974 and was active through the 1981 season. In the mid 1970s, there were as many as 17 counties in North Dakota participating in the cloud seeding program. The number has decreased due to various factors over the years, and currently there are 6 active counties in target areas that cover 10,425 square miles (or, almost 6.7 million acres) nearly 15% of the states area. The North Dakota Legislature established the North Dakota Weather Modification Board (later renamed the Atmospheric Resource Board) and the Office of the Director in the 1975 legislative session. The State Legislature further provided an appropriation for the remainder of the biennium to implement the 1976 operational program on a cost sharing basis. Before the 1976 operational year counties, or associations of counties, pooled resources to finance their local programs. In 1965 and 1969 legislation was passed enabling counties and townships to levy two mills for funding of cloud seeding projects. The source of funds was this 2 mill levy, by township elections under NDCC Chapter 58-03-07, or by voluntary funding. The Program was primarily implemented by emphasizing hail reduction. Rain enhancement operations provided added economic benefits to those counties which had an Authority.
Figure 2 (left). Fields of barley lay in wait for a looming hail storm in the distance. Picture provided by WMI.
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The cloud seeding projects before the creation of the NDWMB had been paid for by voluntary contributions and county appropriations. The 1976 operational program included 50% state matching funds equaling the county appropriations in support of the project in their area. These matched county funds were used specifically for field operational costs. State funds were also used for maintaining the Office of the Director and for research and evaluation, although some federal funds supported UND-trained co-pilots and evaluation data underwritten by the Bureau of Reclamation. The recently concluded 2012 program was the 38th consecutive season under the Board's direction. The North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board is comprised of seven members appointed by the Governor of North Dakota. Each member represents a geographic district and serves a four year term. Weather modification authorities within the districts establish possible candidates through nomination. Ex-officio members also serve on the board. Counting ARB staff, ARB Board of Directors, the five participating County Weather Modification Boards, Slope County Severe Weather Management Association members, and applicable WMI and FJC staff, there were over 100 people directly associated with some facet of the 2012 NDCMP. This does not include the local vendors and technicians employed by the ARB and WMI during the season. 2012 NDCMP BOARD MEMBERS (*Denotes Chair, **Vice Chair) DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 7 Williston, ND Kenmare, ND Bremen, ND Emerado, ND Bismarck, ND Bowman, ND Monte Hininger Henry Bodmer* John Bollingberg David Hagert Vacant Tom Tupa Bobb Brewer**
2012 NDCMP EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Larry Taborsky Steven Weber Todd Sando, P.E. Director, ND Aeronautics Commission Environmental Scientist, ND Department of Health State Engineer, ND State Water Commission
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2012 COUNTY AUTHORITY MEMBERS (*Denotes Chair)
BOWMAN Wayne Mrnak* Robert Andrews Bobb Brewer Dean Pearson Wade Schaaf Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman
WARD Pat Murphy* Jerome Behm Henry Bodmer Chuck Tompkins Gail Yuly Berthold Burlington Kenmare Minot Minot
MCKENZIE Orville Hellandsaas* Rodney Cross Eldean Flynn Gary Levang Lynn Swenson Watford City Alexander Cartwright Keene New Town
WILLIAMS Jim Seidel* John Hovde Jeff Knox Cory Paryzek Ervin Opsal Williston Epping Ray Williston Alamo
MOUNTRAIL Mark Nesheim* Roger Christinson Jim Goettle Tim Johnson James (JC) Moen Palermo Plaza Donnybrook Stanley Plaza
SLOPE Severe Weather Management Association Robb Narum* Ryan Brooks Dan Powell Wayne Wegner Bowman Bowman Bowman Bowman
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2.0
ECONOMIC IMPACT
In February 2009, a report prepared for the NDARB estimated the NDCMPs impact on the states economy. An update of a 1998 analysis, the study considered the value of hail suppression and enhanced rainfall during the growing season. Using the harvested acreage of the top eight crops plus alfalfa, the study combined crop insurance data, production statistics, and NDCMP results to estimate the added value of the project for both the actual target areas and the benefits if the project was statewide. Rain enhancement was figured at two levels, a 5% and a 10% increase (covering the range of results from long-term evaluations of the NDCMP), and combined with hail reduction estimates to derive the results. In the NDCMP seeded counties, the direct economic value of cloud seeding was estimated to range from $5.16 to $8.41 per planted acre, or $12 - 19.7 million in direct benefits to agriculture production. Compared to the cost of the project, those figures would give a benefit-to-cost ratio of 16 to 1 up to 26 to 1. Adding secondary economic activity into the mix, the gross economic benefits just to the District 1 and District 2 counties could be $37.1 million to $60.5 million. This shows the huge benefit that the NDCMP provides. If the NDCMP were expanded to a statewide program, which the ARB estimates could be run for about $3 million per year, the study estimated that the direct benefits would range from $95.4 million to $134.5 million. When direct and secondary economic activities are combined the increased gross business volume statewide was estimated to range between $293.8 million and $414.2 million enormous potential impacts. A copy of the complete report and other NDCMP program evaluations are available on the North Dakota State Water Commission website at: http://www.swc.state.nd.us/4dlink9/4dcgi/GetSubContentR ecord/PB-390
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3.0
2012 AIRCRAFT CONTRACTOR
Weather Modification, Inc. is a global atmospheric sciences company committed to continued advances in the field of weather modification. With over 51 years of successful operations, WMI has pioneered safe and effective techniques for cloud seeding. These advances have made it possible to conduct operations 24 hours per day, seven days a week. These techniques many formulated in North Dakota operations have allowed WMI to provide aircraft, seeding and research equipment, radars, personnel, and company expertise in the areas of cloud physics research and atmospheric sampling for various governmental agencies and private entities around the globe. WMI was originally formed in 1961 in Bowman, North Dakota, and the anti-hail program begun at that time was the genesis for the current NDCMP. WMI relocated to Fargo, ND in 1993 and a sibling company, Fargo Jet Center, Inc. (FJC) was incorporated in 1994. Since 1994, WMI has grown exponentially. Today, WMI facilities in Fargo have more than doubled in size and employees with FJC number more than 135 personnel worldwide.
Figure 3. Weather Modification, Inc. and Fargo Jet Center headquarters, located on Hector Intl Airport, Fargo ND.
FJC adds a wide range of aviation services including a charter flight department, aircraft refueling services, an FAA approved aircraft maintenance and overhaul facility, avionics shop, aircraft rental and a flight school. The operating companies frequently share resources, skills, talents, and equipment each contributes to the success of the other. The synergy realized from several multi-faceted operating companies highlights a strong aviation enterprise that continues to grow. Weather Modification, Inc. as part of a three-year contract with the NDARB provided the services described herein. This year marks the 52nd summer season WMI has contributed to the program. Weather Modification, Inc. is dedicated to providing the NDARB with reliable, professional operations now and into the future, and our personnel are proud to be a part of the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project.
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4.0
PROJECT DESIGN
The design of the 2012 North Dakota Cloud Modification Project was based on techniques developed and refined over years of operational programs. These techniques, many developed here in North Dakota, were used in conjunction with seeding criteria evolved by compatible research programs and the comprehensive North Dakota Cloud Modification Project Operations Manual, March 1993, latest revision May 2010. As set forth by the NDARB, the project design is a non-randomized, development and operational program for the purposes of decreasing hail damage, increasing seasonal rainfall, and achieving certain development objectives for improved operations. In summary, the project design is one in which any cloud that meets the criteria for increasing rainfall or decreasing hail is seeded (within the limits of equipment and personnel) rather than clouds being chosen on a random basis for seeding. In theory any project member can initiate seeding operations, but in practice the ARB radar meteorologists usually direct when and where the WMI pilots operate.
Figure 4 (left). N39655 (Seed 4) returns to base after a mission during sunset. Photo by WMI pilot Phil Kost.
5.0
OPERATIONAL AREAS
North Dakota weather modification activities were conducted in two operational target areas, or Districts. District I included Bowman County, as well as Conner, Hume, Carroll, Cash, Sheets, Mineral Springs, and Cedar Creek Townships in Slope County this year. District II encompassed Williams, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Ward Counties. 5.1 WMI AIRCRAFT BASE LOCATIONS Aircraft bases are determined by the ARB in cooperation with the county weather modification authorities and WMI. Airports are chosen using location, runway length, fuel availability, and facilities as factors. The top-seeding aircraft need to have access to instrument approaches to fully utilize their capabilities. Housing availability for the crews is also important, and is bound to become more of a deciding factor in the future as western North Dakotas oil boom continues to crowd out other activities.
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The oil boom has not only made housing difficult, but has also made the availability of aircraft bases difficult. Watford Citys airport ramp was under construction throughout the entire 2012 season, making it unusable for refueling. And while the airport wasnt really suitable as a base for this reason during the summer, the two aircraft still had to be located there as the man-camp housing in Watford City was all that was available in the region. While Watford City still had a chemical shed onsite, Seeds 5 and 6 often replaced chemical while refueling at other project bases. Additionally, airport improvements are on the horizon for many of the other current aircraft bases. A Cessna 340A (US FAA registration number N812V) and a Piper Seneca II (N33144) were based in Bowman, ND for District I operations. District II aircraft were based at Kenmare (Seneca II, N121WA), Stanley (Seneca II, N39655), Watford City (Seneca IIs N9798C and N13AG), Williston (Cheyenne II, N234K), and Minot (C340A, N340FR). WMI also had a spare C340A aircraft available in Fargo, although it wasnt needed and no aircraft replacements were made during the 2012 season.
Figure 5 (left). NDARB personnel, (Mark Schneider shown) assess the runway situation in Watford City, ND. Due to construction during the 2012 NDMCP project period, fuel was not available at this location. The two aircraft based here (Seed 5 and Seed 6) routinely fueled in Williston or Stanley prior to returning to Watford City after each mission. Photo courtesy of NDARB.
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5.2 NDARB WEATHER RADAR SITES Two Enterprise Electronics Corporation WSR-74C 5-cm weather radars, both owned by the ARB, were employed on the project. These radars are surplus and upgraded National Weather Service units, purchased and moved to the project sites. One unit each is located at the Bowman and Stanley airports. A vendor through a separate ARB contract maintained and calibrated the radars. The ARB owns the structure that houses the radar at Stanley, and is donated use of the structure that houses the radar in Bowman from Bowman County. The structure at Stanley was constructed prior to the 1998 field season.
Figure 6 (right). 2012 NDCMP Operational Target Areas. Graphic provided by NDARB.
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6.0
DAILY OPERATIONS
The 2012 season of the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project became active for District I at 11:00 am local time and 12 oclock noon local time for District II on June 1. The project ended for both districts at 11:59 pm local time on August 31 2012. Specialized project forecasts were prepared each morning by ARB staff in Bismarck and were based on National Weather Service data, the UND Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) model, regional synoptic observations and satellite information. The meteorologists in the field offices received the forecast by approximately 12:00 noon, CDT and then briefed each pilot on expected activities. In the event of significant changes, updates were furnished to the radar meteorologists by phone and/or on the website. Radar meteorologists and pilots all kept an eye out for significant weather activity. Sometimes with input from the aircraft crews, the ARB meteorologists launched aircraft for seeding missions. Cloud candidates for seeding were usually chosen by the radar meteorologists, with the pilots making the final determinations based upon storm inflow, cloud structures, flight safety, and other factors. WMI supplied multi-channel VHF (Very High Frequency) aviation-band communications base station radios to be used at each radar field office for communications with the seeding aircraft. WMI also supplied antennae and low-loss cabling at each site for good reception, and power supplies for the radios that ensured adequate transmitting power. With the advent of better radios in both the aircraft and ground stations, VHF communications have become far more reliable than in years past. During operations, aircraft working far from the radar at low altitudes will normally relay through a nearer, or higher, seeding aircraft to communicate with the radar meteorologists. WMI is experimenting with remote VHF radio repeater units to enhance low-level communications in District II, but the vendor was unable to provide a working system this season. WMI is still committed to further communication improvements in the future, however. The NDARB maintains the appropriate FCC radio station licenses for the radar sites.
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7.0
METEOROLOGICAL SYNOPSIS
The 2012 North Dakota Cloud Modification Project experienced near normal precipitation during the month of June to below normal precipitation by August. Operations in District I were conducted fairly regularly in the beginning of the summer (Junemid July) and waned by August, while operations in District II were conducted nearly every day during the start of the summer (Junemid July) and then decreased significantly by August. Due to a dry, mild winter, crops were planted on-time this year as opposed to the 2011 season. Also, rain enhancement began at the start of project on June 1st and continued all the way through the last day of project on August 31st because of the drier conditions. The drier conditions led to an early harvest in both districts, with neither district requesting an extension for the 2012 season.
Figure 7. Throughout the summer, precipitation was below normal for most of North Dakota.
7.1 JUNE 2012 The month of June was drier than normal in District I, but precipitation in portions of District II was above average (E Williams Co., W Mountrail Co., and NE McKenzie Co.). An upper level ridge parked itself over the Central United States during the first part of June with shortwaves riding along the N portion of the ridge affecting both districts. By mid-June, the ridge started to break down and an upper level trough moved into the area (just N of District II), resulting in precipitation chances for both districts. District II continued to receive substantial precipitation, while District I received slightly below normal precipitation in mid-June. In late June, upper level ridging set up again over W North Dakota, and an upper trough that parked itself over the Pacific NW sent a series of shortwaves through both districts. The severity of the storms that moved through District II in June was greater than the storms that moved through District I; no SPC (the NOAA National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center) significant hail reports were recorded for District I during the month of June although there were local reports of dime-sized hail in District I.
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Figure 8. District I precipitation was slightly, to well below, normal for June, while precipitation in portions of District II was well above normal.
Figure 9. SPC severe hail reports for June showing District II with significant hail reports, and District I with no significant reports. Page 18
7.2 JULY 2012 July started out with an active weather pattern. Another series of shortwaves moved through both districts during the first part of July. This resulted in operations being conducted regularly as showers and thunderstorms accompanying the shortwaves moved through both districts. However, due to rainfall amounts from several storms being less than predicted, neither district had large areas of above normal precipitation. The pattern of upper level ridging setting up and being broken down by shortwaves continued into mid-July. Operations conducted throughout July for both rain enhancement and hail suppression were fairly regular. A few supercells moved through both districts by late July (a couple in District II and one in District I), which led to SPC significant hail reports for both districts.
Figure 10. Precipitation in both districts was slightly below, to fairly well below, normal for July.
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Figure 11. SPC severe hail reports for July showing significant hail reports for both districts.
7.3 AUGUST 2012 The last month of the NDCMP started out fairly normal and then took a significant downturn in operations. The beginning of August started out relatively active, with an upper level low moving into the N portion of District II. This brought a few chances of showers and thunderstorms into both project areas. By midAugust, the upper level ridging with shortwaves eroding the ridge pattern set up again, but instability was less established, so storms that developed had difficulty producing hail threats like they did in June and July (mostly for District II). By the end of August, stable conditions, with a few storms here and there, persisted as a drier airmass was in place over both districts. Precipitation amounts in August were well below normal for District II and slightly to well below normal for District I. Throughout August, District II flew mostly on rain enhancement missions with a few hail suppression missions here and there, and District I flew on at least one hail suppression mission every week, except for the last week of project. Also, only one significant hail report was recorded by SPC for District II in August.
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Figure 12. Precipitation for District II was well below normal, while precipitation for District I was slightly to well below normal.
Figure 13. SPC severe hail reports for August showing one significant hail report in District II.
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7.4 WEATHER SEASON IN SUMMARY The weather for the 2012 NDCMP was near normal, especially compared to the 2011 season. Thunderstorms were more prevalent during June and July in both project areas, and the number of thunderstorms decreased significantly by August. Flight hours were above average for both districts due to the active months of June and July. Hail suppression missions dwindled in August, but rain enhancement missions were fairly regular throughout the summer. Although, rain enhancement was a bit difficult, especially in District I, since cloud bases were higher on average than previous years, and precipitation rarely made it to the surface. Overall, the 2012 NDCMP was near normal with above average flight hours due to an active beginning leading into a quiet end. 8.0 AIRCRAFT
For cloud-seeding flight operations WMI uses only well-equipped, twin-engine aircraft. In addition to their high performance characteristics (compared to lower-powered, single-engine aircraft), the twin-engine aircraft provide an extra measure of safety in bad weather, in-cloud, and nighttime operations. All of the seeding aircraft are owned and were modified by WMI. As in recent seasons, eight seeding aircraft were specified by the 2012 contract. WMI operated five Piper Seneca II (PA34-200T) aircraft for cloud-base seeding, and two Cessna 340A aircraft that were capable of both base and top seeding. WMIs Piper PA34-200T Seneca II aircraft are turbocharged, twin 200horsepower engine light aircraft, while WMIs Cessna 340's are turbocharged, twin 310-horsepower engine aircraft with pressurized cabins. A Piper Cheyenne II aircraft was used for cloud-top seeding, though it was also equipped with wing flare racks for cloud-base work if needed. The WMI Cheyenne II has twin 620 hp turboprop engines with a pressurized cabin. Besides North Dakota, WMI has operated these types of aircraft on projects in Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Mexico, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Mali, Greece, Turkey, India, and multiple US states. They have proven well capable of absorbing the stresses ordinarily encountered while seeding clouds.
Figure 14 (right). Cessna 340A, N340FR (Seed 9) ready on the ramp in Minot, ND for its next mission. Photo by WMI Pilot Peter Van Duzer.
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Aircraft must be flown and maintained in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations. WMIs specially modified cloud seeding aircraft, when fitted with seeding equipment, must be operated in RESTRICTED category meaning that their operations are limited to the special purpose operations for which the equipment installations are certified by the FAA, and are bound by extra rules which prohibit these aircraft from carrying passengers who are not part of the project, among other things. All aircraft must also be inspected and maintained according to approved schedules; the Senecas and C340s used on this project must all have a yearly annual inspection and certain required maintenance checks at each 50 and 100 hours of operation. The turboprop Cheyenne II (Figure 15) must be operated under a progressive inspection program, and has mandatory 100-hr inspections. All of WMIs seeding aircraft are equipped and certified for flight in icing conditions should the need arise. In addition to normal aircraft and seeding systems, all aircraft furnished for the project were equipped and certified for instrument flight rules (IFR) with GPS navigation equipment. Prior to the 2012 season all WMI project aircraft underwent renewed annual inspections (as required by the FAA) and had the appropriate WMI seeding equipment mounted to conform to the project contract requirements. Project pilots assisted WMI and FJC mechanics in Fargo to prepare the aircraft. This provides the pilots with valuable training and hands-on experience with seeding equipment and their particular aircraft. All seeding generators were flight tested with acetone before delivery to ensure proper operation. The project aircraft were delivered to their sites on May 28th (N340FR), May 29th (N13AG, N812V, N33144, N9798C, and N121WA), and May 30th (N234K and N39655). VHF voice and data radios for the Bowman and Stanley radars were delivered in 2010 and remained in place through the contract. All of the WMI pilots mixed solution, filled their burners and flare racks, and conducted test flights by sometime on June 1, and were thereafter ready for missions.
Figure 15 (left). Cheyenne II, N234K (Seed 7) after a late afternoon mission in Williston, ND. Photo courtesy of NDARB.
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8.1 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE All pre-season and major aircraft and seeding equipment maintenance was performed at the WMI / Fargo Jet Center facilities in Fargo, ND. Hans Ahlness, WMI Vice President - Operations (FAA Airframe & Powerplant mechanic, Inspection Authorization) tracked and supervised the required maintenance and support for the aircraft during the summer. The Pilot-In-Command (PIC) of each aircraft was instructed to call immediately if any unscheduled maintenance was required. Each PIC also called WMI Project Field Representative Peter Van Duzer (Minot Seed 9 PIC) on Sunday of each week to provide the status of their airplane and to provide the airplanes total flight time for maintenance tracking. Van Duzer used e-mail and phone to keep Mr. Ahlness updated on any problems with aircraft, seeding equipment, or personnel. Smaller items were taken care of by local maintenance shops in western ND when possible. Unfortunately, many of the local shops that WMI has relied on over the years have lost capable mechanics or are maintaining smaller parts inventories as business has declined for them, which often limits our options. Also, these small shops are not often open after hours or on weekends. These factors, combined with the 24/7 nature of WMIs commitments for the ARB, mean that WMI must either fly a mechanic and parts to the broken project aircraft or ferry it to Fargo for more extensive work when possible. Mr. Ahlness made several trips during the summer to perform required maintenance on project aircraft while in the field, and five of the project airplanes made trips to Fargo N9798C S5 on 6/7 for a bad magneto and gyro instrument repair; N812V S1 on 6/14 for a broken landing gear strut (fixed that same day); N39655 S4 on 6/20-21 for a 50hr, alternator, weak engine; N812V S1 on 6/22 to finish up details on the landing gear; N234K S7 on 6/25-26 for the required 100hr inspection; N39655 S4 on 6/26-27 for engine and turbo work. The other required 50 and 100 hr inspections were performed by shops in Bowman, Bismarck, Williston, and Minot. Mr. Ahlness made several trips from Fargo to perform repairs to various aircraft during the summer as well, sometimes combining maintenance events with times he was filling in as Roving PIC. WMI has a large fleet of aircraft, and a spare C340A (N37356) was available for use this summer. Although not required by the contract, WMI tries to keep this option to help avoid down time and penalties when major problems or maintenance issues arise. WMI always tries to perform maintenance when there is no weather threat, although of course the weather doesnt always cooperate; despite all the above mechanical mayhem only two missions were missed due to maintenance issues this summer.
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8.2 WMI AIRCRAFT TELEMETRY SYSTEM - AIRLINK The NDARB contracted with WMI to provide the project radars with the ability to track each seeding aircrafts position, altitude and seeding events. Each aircraft was equipped with a WMI datalogger system that is composed of a computer with WMIs ADAS (Aircraft Data Acquisition System) software. The computer receives inputs from the aircrafts GPS receiver, silver iodide generators, and the firing systems from the BIP and belly mounted ejectable flare racks. All project aircraft were equipped with a datalogger as part of the telemetry systems that provided position and altitude information as well as seeding events. The datalogger systems were designed and are specially built by WMI in Fargo. The WMI ADAS system logs the GPS position of the aircraft (latitude, longitude, altitude, groundspeed) during the entire flight at a data rate of once per second. The computer also notes the time and location of seeding events. A telemetry radio in each aircraft transmits the ADAS information to the AirLink computer in the radar. This information is then sent to the TITAN computer to generate the aircraft tracks on the TITAN display. Files are created on the aircraft computers hard drive that can then be transferred to a USB drive for later analysis.
Figure 16 (left). WMI aircraft datalogger, installed in the rear of a seeding aircraft. Visible is its rugged casing and secure mounting. LED lights on its front panel indicate operational status.
The NDARB was provided with the AirLink computer software to replay the flight track data for post-flight analysis. The data was downloaded from each aircraft on a regular basis, checked by WMI, and sent to the ARB at the end of the season. AirLink is able to provide, in real-time, a display of the seeding aircraft flight paths generated from aircraft GPS data. AirLink displays position information, seeding status, and atmospheric microphysical information (if the aircraft is equipped with probes), all transmitted via radio modem from each seeding aircraft to a receiver in the radar. The event tracking capability allows the radar meteorologists to determine which thunderstorm complexes were seeded and the number of flares used. If chosen by the radar operator, files can also be created on the ground computers in the radars to enable playback of flight tracks for post-mission analysis.
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9.0
SEEDING EQUIPMENT
WMI designs, manufactures, and operates a wide variety of seeding equipment. Each PIC received operation and maintenance training on the seeding equipment. WMI maintains an extensive inventory of seeding equipment spares that was restocked as needed during the project. WMI also maintains an inventory of spare parts for the airplanes used on the project to avoid downtime waiting for parts. Each Seneca II aircraft was outfitted with the following equipment: 2 WMI-Lohse ram-air pressurized liquid-fueled AgI generators, with a 7-gallon usable capacity, calibrated to a flow rate of 3.0 gallons per hour at 120 mph airspeed. 2 Wing-mounted flare racks, each capable of carrying 12-16 burn-in-place flares. Each Cessna 340 aircraft was outfitted with the following equipment: 2 WMI-Lohse ram-air pressurized liquid-fueled AgI generators, with a 7-gallon usable capacity, calibrated to a flow rate of 3.0 gallons per hour at 120 mph airspeed. 2 Wing-mounted flare racks, each capable of carrying 12 burn-in-place flares. 2 Belly-mounted ejectable flare racks, 204 flare capacity total.
Figure 17 (left). WMI 102-count ejectable flare racks mounted to the belly of a top seeding aircraft. Figure 18 (right). WMI burn-in-place flare rack with 75g silver iodide flares.
The Cheyenne II aircraft was outfitted with the following equipment: 2 Wing-mounted flare racks, each capable of carrying 16 burn-in-place flares. 1 Dry ice dispenser, capable of holding 200 lbs. 3 Belly-mounted ejectable flare racks, 306 flare capacity total.
Figure 19 (left). The 200lb. capacity dry ice hopper installed in N234K. The hopper is sealed to hold cabin pressurization and augers dry ice pellets down through the aircraft belly. This hopper was designed and installed in 2010.
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9.1 SEEDING EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE WMIs contract with the ARB states: Generator performance shall be calculated by dividing the total time the generators were inoperative by the total aircraft seeding time. The resulting figure will represent the percentage of time Project aircraft were operating at less than desired capability. The generator failure rate for the 2012 season was 2.45% (lower than the 5-year average, see chart below). This amounted to 5.00 hours of flight time during the entire summer that a seeding generator was inoperative when required.
All of the seeding materials used during the project were supplied by the ARB. These included dry ice pellets, silver iodide flares (both ejectable and burn-in-place), and a silver iodide solution. This solutions mixture contains silver iodide, ammonium iodide, paradichloro-benzene, and sodium perchlorate, all dissolved in acetone. Chemical formulations have evolved with research and experience, and now incorporate ingredients that make the formulas faster acting - better for hail suppression. The seeding solution was mixed at each field site by the flight crews. The ARB provided secure storage for the seeding materials at each site.
Figure 20. A lit WMI Lohse silver iodide generator burns as S8 base seeds, picture by WMI Pilot James Kovac.
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10.0
WEATHER RADAR SYSTEM
The NDARB operates two five-centimeter EEC WSR-74C radars, located at the Bowman and Stanley airports. Both radars were upgraded to Doppler in 2009, providing meteorologists in the field with velocity data to forecast rapid storm development from outflow boundaries and avoid directing aircraft into areas of turbulence from microbursts. The Doppler upgrade also improved the sensitivity of the radars, allowing them to detect early echoes, which aids in the response time for rain enhancement missions. Another upgrade that is useful for both radar sites is the remote access capabilities, which allow the radar technician or anyone at the NDARB to monitor the radars remotely and fix any software problems. Each radar consists of an antenna pedestal and a dish. The antenna pedestal is the elevation-over-azimuth type. The dish is parabolic, 8 ft. (2.4m) in diameter, constructed of aluminum and installed within a 12 ft. (3.7 m) diameter fiberglass radome, which protects the radar from wind, precipitation, and hail damage and allows it to operate continuously. The antenna assembly is positioned on a steel tower at the Bowman Airport, and atop the radar building in Stanley, at an adequate height to provide the best possible radar coverage for the target areas. The data collected by the radar are analyzed through an IRIS/TITAN system. The Interactive Radar Information System (IRIS, a Sigmet/Vaisala product) and the Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis, and Nowcasting (TITAN) system developed by scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and the NDARB provided each radar site with these software/hardware systems, as well as keeping these systems in Bismarck for remote data analysis.
Figure 21. Bowman weather radar tower, picture by NDARB Meteorologist Amanda Wertz.
IRIS is very useful for meteorologists in that it provides the real-time display of the radar data. Along with displaying the reflectivity detected at each elevation angle in real-time, IRIS also has tools available to do cross sections on the most recently completed scan data (cannot do cross sections on real-time display data). IRIS is not as useful when directing aircraft, since it does not display aircraft and their position. IRIS is a great tool to use to determine if a storm is increasing or decreasing in intensity, and it is a good backup tool for cross sections if the TITAN machine is inoperable. While IRIS is useful, the TITAN system is the main software used when running operations. The TITAN system provides 16 levels of contoured color radar reflectivity data, zooming capabilities, custom target overlays, instant playback, and real-time aircraft flight track/seeding event superimposition. The TITAN software runs on a LINUX operating system, and the TITAN system displays constant altitude plan position indicator (CAPPI), vertical storm cross section, storm history, storm time-height profile and reflectivity distribution. The history of storm motions (yellow circles) and forecast storm motions (red circles) are also displayed. A CAPPI display can be selected for various altitudes starting at 2 kilometers above the surface and stepping up in 1 kilometer increments. It is also possible to create a composite PPI display, which plots the strongest radar reflectivity at any altitude in a PPI (radar display) format. A zoom function allows the radar operator to zoom-in on interesting features, such as hail cores, on the display.
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The vertical cross section capability enables a radar operator to produce a two dimensional slice through a thunderstorm. Unlike conventional radar Range Height Indicators (RHI), the vertical cross section option permits cross sections to be made along any two points on a PPI display and not just along the azimuth from the radar. Aircraft flight tracks can be superimposed upon the TITAN display, and the field offices and project aircraft have the equipment to do so. Superimposed flight tracks aid the radar meteorologists in directing the cloud seeding aircraft to the most suitable seeding candidates. An electronic overlay generated by a computer file displays the project target area as well as county boundaries and prominent cities and geographical features.
Figure 22. Stanley weather radar atop the operations building, picture by NDARB Meteorologist Leandro Ribeiro.
Radar maps and flight track data are saved automatically in approximately 6-minute increments. The time period required to complete a volume scan varies dependent upon the RPM setting of the radar. The large volume of graphical data being recorded and stored is the reason for the necessity of upgrading to a specialized computer. The weather radar data is recorded onto hard-drive disks for storage and playback at a later time, and the storms can be replayed for future analysis. The radar maps are automatically sent to the ARB website every 6 minutes (or when a scan has been completed) to provide access to recently recorded data. The links (accessible from the ND State Water Commission website, www.swc.nd.gov/arb) can be viewed using any PC with an internet server, and show current radar maps displaying reflectivity data and aircraft flight tracks. The Bowman radar operates yearround, while the Stanley radar is only used during the project season. WMI often uses TITAN on its projects throughout the world as well and originally supplied the ARB with the software and necessary hardware. Continuing upgrades have expanded the softwares capabilities to meet specific project requirements.
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11.0
PROJECT RECORD KEEPING
Due to discontinued hardware and software, the need to upgrade the NDCMP record keeping system became clearly evident after the 2011 season. The previous system (initialized in 2004) featured a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with software called Palm Aircraft Recordkeeping System, or PARS. Today the PDA is obsolete and its replacements, like the Apple iPhone and iPad have taken over the digital market. The decision to move forward with the implementation of a new record keeping device, the Apple iPad, was made in early 2012. ARB staff worked with NDSWC IT technician Paul Moen to develop the new system. The iPad 32G was selected due to its diverse platform and operating system. Furthermore, its large touch screen (9.7 inches, diagonally) made it a functional choice for the cockpit. Several aviation companies including WMI, although not for this project, have started using the iPad to eliminate the need for bulky paper charts.
Figure 23 (left). The iPads were encased in a protective cover and also included several other applications such as ForeFlight (designed specifically for aviation navigation) and additional weather/radar information. Picture courtesy of WMI.
Like the PDA, the iPad features PARS software and is able to track position and altitude data. The iPad receives this data from its built-in GPS. This data is used to create the flight form as well as accurate maps, with seeding areas depicted as entered by the flight crew. Two additional programs, ARBSync and ChemInv, are included on the iPad to execute data uploads to the ARB database, and to monitor seeding chemicals and flares at NDCMP field sites. The new iPad allows for speedy uploads via Wi-Fi, whereas the previous PDA Bluetooth modem was routinely slow. Other key benefits of the new iPads include an increased battery life, a built in camera for seeding pictures, and a screen with high resolution. Kudos to Paul Moen for his work on the iPad!
Figure 24 (right). An NDARB iPad shown on the PARS live acquisition screen, June 14, 2012 for Seed 2. Image courtesy of NDARB.
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12.0
WMI AND NDARB PROJECT PERSONNEL
12.1 GROUND SCHOOL The 2012 North Dakota Cloud Modification Project Ground School was conducted in Bismarck, ND on May 22-24. Atmospheric Resource Board and WMI personnel conducted the ground school, which was held at the ND State Water Commission building. Various aspects of the program were discussed such as responsibilities of all personnel, cloud physics, opportunity recognition, use of seeding chemicals, project documentation, safety procedures, iPad training, and selected examples that could serve as lessons from previous projects that might help to improve efficiency of the 2012 program.
Figure 25. Hans Ahlness, WMI Vice President of Operations, describes how the Lohse wing-tip generator works during ground school in Bismarck, ND. Picture courtesy of NDARB.
Numerous questions typically surface during the project as problems arise and remedies are explored. It is invaluable to have experienced personnel in the field during the season to resolve these problems. ARB Director Darin Langerud and ARB Chief Meteorologist Mark Schneider were always available for advice and answers whenever their radar meteorologists needed guidance, and all project personnel were given copies of the NDCMP Operations Manual and Radar Applications Manual as appropriate prior to the season start. Hans Ahlness provided support for WMI field personnel during the season. Mr. Ahlness worked with pilots and meteorologists alike and provided insights into seeding systems and seeding strategy. The WMI Pilot Information Manual, written by Mr. Ahlness with contributions from other WMI project pilots, is used by WMI project pilots as a training and reference aid, supplementing the NDCMP Operations Manual. Mr. Ahlness handled weather and aircraft questions, helped write the equipment manuals, and provided additional training for field personnel during the project.
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12.2 PILOTS Each pilot was checked out in his or her designated aircraft before the beginning of the project. Five of the eight initial PICs, and all relief (Hans Ahlness, Chad Gravesen) and replacement (Todd Janvosky) pilots, had previous experience cloud seeding as either PIC or SIC on the NDCMP or another weather modification project. WMI training pilots were Hans Ahlness, Jody Fischer, and Peter Van Duzer. One of the instructors flew with each pilot to ensure that they were familiar with the airplane systems and the operation of the seeding equipment. The pilots were also instructed on the airspeeds and power settings used during a seeding mission. These flights provided quality assurance to standardize the WMI procedures for each pilot. All of the pilots were involved in the preseason maintenance and flight testing of airplanes and seeding equipment. During the summer, some of the WMI pilots requested personal time off. Hans Ahlness, Roving PIC, was in Williston June 13-17, August 4-8, and August 29 flying Seed 7, and in Bowman covering Seed 2 on August 21-23. Also, James Kovac (Kenmare Seed 8 pilot) travelled to Watford City covering Seed 6 on July 13-14, and Stanley to cover Seed 4 on July 27-29 and again on August 23-26. During the times Kovac was away from Kenmare, Chad Gravesen (a WMI NDCMP pilot in 2011 and flying as an aerial applicator this summer) filled in there to cover Seed 8. Tim Chervenka, the WMI PIC flying the Cheyenne II in Williston, left the project for other employment on August 3. WMI replaced him with Todd Janovsky starting August 7. Janovsky was an intern in Kenmare way back in 1997, and a PIC in Bowman in 1998 and 1999. He then flew for an airline for several years before returning to WMI to fly in Saudi Arabia in 2008-2010. Janovsky was able to cover most of August as he was between deployments for a civilian contractor flying Dash 8s in Afghanistan. Ahlness filled in as PIC after Chervenka left and then checked out Janovsky on the Cheyenne aircraft and seeding systems in Williston on August 7-8. 12.3 COPILOT INTERNSHIP The co-pilots completed the Advanced Weather Modification course at the University of North Dakota, and were interviewed and selected from the class for their internship by Mike Poellot, Chair of Atmospheric Sciences at UND and Kelli Schroeder of the ARB. Kelli Schroeder oversaw the intern program for the ARB. Due to a shortage of students in Poellots Spring 2012 class, this summers internship was open to previous class participants. Nick Roadman, a 2011 NDCMP intern, returned for a second season and three 2010 students - Trent Tell, Andrew Pfalzer, and David Edmonds - became 1st year interns. The interns each rotated through Williston to gain additional experience in the top seeding aircraft. Most of the interns, except Roadman and Edmonds, returned to school before the end of August. The pilot internship program is funded by the ARB. The intern pilots are paid an hourly wage and are required to maintain a timesheet of their project activities. The Pilot Internship Program was initially begun in 1974 by the Bureau of Reclamation. A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the ARB and the University of North Dakota has been in place since 1975. At the completion of the 2012 program, the program has provided training and experience for 325 pilots.
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WMI provides, for a nominal charge, each seasons copilot interns with flight instruction and signoffs for High Altitude and High Performance training to give them the proper FAA certifications to act as pilots in the WMI aircraft used on the NDCMP. This allows the interns to log flight time in the aircraft used on the project, making the experience far more worthwhile for them. These certifications are not normally earned during flight training at UND. The flights, which involve several takeoffs and landings as well as flight operations at 25,000 feet, were completed on May 16th and 24th this year. Ground instruction and two instructional flights in a WMI King Air C90A were provided by WMI Chief Pilot, Jody Fischer. 12.4 NDARB METEOROLOGY STAFF All radar and intern meteorologists were employed by the NDARB. Two meteorology interns were chosen to spend the season as assistant meteorologists in both Districts I (Caleb Steele) and II (Matt Leszak), and one intern (Robert Spinetti) was selected to assist with forecasting from the Bismarck office. Each intern also spent approximately two weeks rotating through each of the other site locations during the project. The NDCMP Meteorology Internship Program began in 1996 and to date has provided hands-on radar, operations and forecasting experience for 41 meteorology undergraduates.
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DISTRICT I (Bowman) FLIGHT CREW SEED 1 PIC, Nicholi Lanier SEED 2 PIC, Lauren Peterson
INTERN, Drake Brands
INTERN, Chad Wilson
DISTRICT I (Bowman, ND) METEOROLOGY TEAM METEOROLOGIST, Amanda Wertz INTERN, Caleb Steele
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DISTRICT II (Stanley, Watford City) FLIGHT CREW SEED 4 PIC, Phil Kost SEED 5 PIC, Greg Snodgrass SEED 6 PIC, Lucas Hitz
INTERN, Nick Roadman
INTERN, David Edmonds
INTERN, Trent Tell
DISTRICT II (Stanley) METEOROLOGY TEAM METEOROLOGIST, Kyle Schanus METEOROLOGIST, Leandro Ribeiro INTERN, Matt Leszak
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DISTRICT II (Williston, Kenmare, Minot) FLIGHT CREW SEED 7 PIC, Tim Chervenka SEED 8 PIC, James Kovac SEED 9 PIC, Peter Van Duzer
SEED 7 - PIC, Todd Janovsky
INTERN, Cameron Kostelecky
INTERN, Andrew Pfalzer
DISTRICT I & II ROVING PILOT INTERN & FORECASTER (Bismarck)
ROVING INTERN, Logan Newsom
FORECASTER, Robert Spinetti
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12.5 NDARB ADMINISTRATION Director Darin Langerud oversees the NDCMP operations for the ARB. Chief Meteorologist Mark Schneider manages the radar and intern meteorologists. Ms. Kelli Schroeder handles the program funding, contracts, and the pilot intern program. Mr. Daniel Brothers, Meteorologist, trains and oversees the intern forecaster as well as performing office duties including record keeping, iPads, the ARB rain gauge network, and record quality control. Mr. Langerud and Mr. Schneider are Weather Modification Association (WMA) Certified Weather Modification Managers, and Mr. Brothers is a WMA Certified Operator. ND State Water Commission IT technician Paul Moen handled issues with the TITAN software and hardware systems in both radars. Moen was also the architect behind the new iPad aircraft data recording software. WMI installed and maintained the datalogger computers and electronics in the aircraft, including AirLink. NDARB (Bismarck) ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR, Darin Langerud CHIEF METEOROLOGIST, Mark Schneider
METEOROLOGIST, Dan Brothers
IT TECHNICIAN, Paul Moen
BUSINESS MGR., Kelli Schroeder
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12.6 WEATHER MODIFICATION INC. ADMINISTRATION Hans Ahlness, Vice President Operations of WMI was the Primary Project Manager for the 2012 NDCMP. Patrick Sweeney, President of WMI and Bruce Boe, WMI Director of Meteorology served as Co-Project Managers in case Mr. Ahlness needed to travel outside the state. Both Mr. Ahlness and Mr. Sweeney are Weather Modification Association Certified Weather Modification Operators, and Mr. Boe is a WMA Certified Manager. Mr. Sweeney has handled radar technician, pilot, and management duties at WMI since 1975, and has been a shareholder since 1979. Mr. Boe assumed his present position at WMI in 2001. Prior to coming to WMI he served as Director of the ARB for 12 years. James Sweeney, Vice President of WMI was Assistant Project Manager to aid in the fulfillment of contract obligations. James Sweeney began working at WMI in 1992. Hans Ahlness of WMI was also responsible for hiring and training the project pilots, overseeing aircraft operations and aircraft and equipment maintenance, and providing relief pilot and mechanic duties. He also served as the POLCAST IV research aircraft pilot. Mr. Ahlness has worked in the weather modification field since 1977, with duties including radar operator, mechanic, operational and research pilot, and manager. He has worked at WMI full time since 1985. Peter Van Duzer, District II Project Pilot, served as the Field Representative for WMI during the season. All North Dakota WMI field personnel reported problems and equipment status to him, and he then provided summaries to Mr. Ahlness. He also assisted with pre-season seeding equipment maintenance and project pilot flight training. Van Duzer has worked on WMI programs since 2011; this was his third season on the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project. Erin Fischer, with assistance from Alexandra Ahlness, checked project data, compiled billing info, and did the vast majority of the work on this report.
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WMI (Fargo) ADMINISTRATION VP OPERATIONS, Hans Ahlness TECHNICAL WRITER, Erin Fischer
CHIEF PILOT, Jody Fischer
PROJECT ASSISTANT, Alex Ahlness
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13.0
PUBLIC RELATIONS
13.1 SAMA CONFERENCE To increase internship awareness, WMI and the NDARB participated in the Spring 2012 Student Aviation Management Association (SAMA) Conference and Career Fair in Grand Forks, ND on April 20th. The conference features a variety of speakers from all facets of the professional aviation industry and is held annually. Prospective and current students were able to interact with NDARB representatives Kelli Schroeder and Darin Langerud. Thanks to the ARB, a great new pilot internship brochure was distributed at this years conference. WMI Chief Pilot and NDCMP veteran Jody Fischer, with his wife Erin Fischer, attended on behalf of WMI.
Figure 26. Jody Fischer, WMI Chief Pilot, discusses the NDARB pilot internship and what its like to be a cloud seeding pilot with a potential candidate at the 2012 SAMA Conference in Grand Forks, ND.
14.0
AWARDS
NDARB recognizes field personnel professionalism and dedication to the project with the presentation of the following project awards. Nominations are taken from project personnel, WMI administration, and ARB staff the last week of project and are carefully considered. WILBUR E. BREWER PROFESSIONALISM AWARD Named in honor of one of the founders of WMI and longtime NDCMP advocate, this award was presented to District II Radar Meteorologist Kyle Schanus. Kyle exuded excellent decision-making and leadership skills throughout the project, assuring that District II was well-protected this season. OUTSTANDING INTERN AWARD A desire to learn and further their education attracts interns to the NDCMP. This award is given to the intern who had the greatest positive impact on the project and its daily operations. Matt Leszak was the 2012 recipient. Matt was extremely reliable, and he displayed motivation and enthusiasm for project operations. His initiative to begin forecast verifications helped the ARB staff immensely. Congratulations for a job well done Kyle and Matt!
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15.0
POLCAST (Polarimetric Cloud Analysis and Seeding Test) IV
The Polarimetric Cloud Analysis and Seeding Test (POLCAST) is an atmospheric research project designed to help determine if hygroscopic cloud seeding (warm cloud seeding) could help increase rainfall and reduce damaging hail from summer thunderstorms. Sponsored by the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board, it includes participants from the University of North Dakota Atmospheric Sciences Department (UND), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Weather Modification, Inc. (WMI), and Ice Crystal Engineering (ICE). This summer, Phase IV was conducted from June 27 through August 3 2012.
Figure 27. POLCAST4 participants pose in front of UNDs dual polarimetric radar. Pictured are (left to right) Jeff Tilley and Dave Delene (UND), Darin Langerud (NDARB), Tony Grainger (UND), Paul Kucera (NCAR), and UND students Mariusz Starzec, Phondie Simelane, Timm Uhlmann and Nicole Bart. Photo by UND graduate student Travis Toth.
The POLCAST IV experiment is a continuation of the original field program that was conducted in the summers of 2006, 2008, and 2010. The 2012 project focused on a continuation of sampling with the University of North Dakota (UND) polarimetric Doppler weather radar and in situ sampling to address the overall projects objective: To better understand the effects of hygroscopic cloud seeding at cloud base on convective clouds in North Dakota. Specifically, POLCAST IV worked to: Determine identifiable signatures of hygroscopic seeding in polarimetric observables or derived fields; Characterize hygroscopic seeding effects stratified by aerosol and CCN concentrations; Characterize how aerosols and CCN concentration change between the surface and cloud base.
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The POLCAST project area covers a 62-mile (100 km) semi-circle area from Grand Forks on the west side of the Red River. WMI C340A aircraft N98585 was specially equipped with instrumentation for gathering in situ measurements and flown out of WMIs facilities in Fargo by Hans Ahlness, with in-flight scientist Dr. Dave Delene and grad students from UND. Operations were directed by NCAR scientist Dr. Paul Kucera from the UND radar in Grand Forks. Although installation of the under-wing research probes was held up by FAA approval delays, that instrumentation was eventually approved and installed on the aircraft July 16. Besides the hygroscopic flare racks, two different Cloud Condensation Nuclei Counter units, and temperature and dewpoint probes, the aircraft then carried a Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (PCASP), an AIMMS-20 wind-sensing probe, and a Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP). All of these instruments were linked to a SEA Model 300 data acquisition system and displayed in the aircraft cabin. WMI also provided VHF radio equipment for the radar, and a tracking receiver to allow the aircrafts flight track to be displayed on the UND radar screen. During 2012 operations a total of 12 flights over 23.19 hours were conducted, with 17 experimental cases. 72 hygroscopic flares (40 of which were donated to the project by Ice Crystal Engineering of Kindred, ND) were burned during the 9 seeded cases. Postproject analysis continues at this time.
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Figure 28. WMI C340 aircraft, N98585, shown on the ramp in Fargo, ND as it awaits a POLCAST4 mission. Visible are the window inlets for the CCNC, hygroscopic flare rack and flares, and the FSSP and AIMMS-20 3D wind probes on the left wing. Photo by Jane Ahlness.
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16.0
CONTRACTORS SUMMARY
The summer of 2012 has come and gone. WMI would like to congratulate the Atmospheric Resource Board on another successful project, as well as the completion of another installment of the POLCAST research effort. The results of the recent NDSU study have reinforced the need for this program, and the benefits that can be accrued from its continuation. The upgraded, iPad-based PARS recordkeeping system worked well this summer, even though it was a testing period for all involved. The speed at which Paul Moen could make changes to the software to address issues as they were discovered was astounding. Some improvements can yet be made, including a better display of the target area boundaries on the iPad map display, but overall the system proved to be very user-friendly. WMI fielded a fairly green crew of pilots this summer, due to the wholesale depletion of our past-years crew. It is always a challenge to hold on to personnel each year when the jobs are seasonal in nature. However, the leadership of a few experienced pilots made the difference and operations were handled normally. Hopefully well be able to continue with some of these now-familiar faces next season. The number of potential pilot interns seems to be dropping each year as well, and this summer was a particularly critical situation. With the addition of some previous applicants a full crew was crafted, but obviously something needs to happen at UND to spur increased participation in the program. One of the biggest challenges in future seasons will continue to be housing for project personnel. The oil boom in western ND has strained all infrastructure and resources, and will certainly do so for several more years. Housing costs are way up, and living and operating expenses in general are greatly increased. Although weve successfully managed so far, there may be times in the future that WMI is not able to place crews in the desired locations. ARB personnel and Board contacts have been extremely helpful in locating housing in the past few years, but the process of finding lodging for short-term employees each year always seems to come down to the last minute. And truthfully, some of the accommodations that weve found havent been the most desirable.
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APPENDIX ITEMS APPENDIX A AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY TABLES (Note all flight times are recorded in hundredth of hours, Zulu time) District I District I District II District II District II Hybrid Cloud Top Aircraft (N812V) Cloud Base Aircraft (N812V, N33144) Cloud Base Aircraft (N39655, N9798C, N13AG, N121WA, N340FR) Cloud Top Aircraft, Turbo-Prop (N234K) Hybrid Cloud Top Aircraft (N340FR)
APPENDIX B AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS Piper Seneca II Cessna 340A Piper Cheyenne II
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APPENDIX A District I Cloud Top Aircraft

2012 DISTRICT I FLIGHT SUMMARY CLOUD - TOP
DATE HAIL RAIN RECON OTHER DAILY TOTAL RUNNING MAINTENANCE GENERATORS TOTAL (Contractor ONE TWO Expense) (hours burned) 0.46 2.29 3.56 4.61 5.74 7.85 9.09 10.52 11.52 13.80 13.80 13.80 13.80 13.80 13.80 GENERATORS ONE TWO (grams burned) FLARES (grams)
06/03/12 06/12/12 06/13/12 06/17/12 06/19/12 06/20/12 07/02/12 07/11/12 07/17/12 08/22/12
0.46 1.83 1.27 1.05 1.13 2.11 1.24 1.43 1.00 2.28
TOTALS
1.83
9.33
2.64
0.00
0.46 1.83 1.27 1.05 1.13 2.11 1.24 1.43 1.00 2.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13.80
340 200
400 40 400 400 1740
0.00
0.00
0.00
3,520
TOTAL AgI RELEASED BY C-340 AIRCRAFT: 3,520 grams TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS CONTRACTED: FLIGHT HOURS FLOWN TO DATE: FLIGHT HOURS REMAINING: 25.00 13.80 11.20
Page 45
APPENDIX A District I Cloud Base Aircraft

2012 DISTRICT I FLIGHT SUMMARY CLOUD - BASE
DATE HAIL RAIN RECON OTHER (---------all flight times in hundredths of hours----------) DAILY TOTAL RUNNING TOTAL MAINTENANCEGENERATORS - Cessna (Contractor ONE TWO (hours burned) Expense) 2.00 0.64 374.40 0.01 0.47 0.86 2 94 346 GENERATORS - Cessna ONE TWO (grams burned) GENERATORS - Seneca ONE TWO (hours burned) GENERATORS - Seneca ONE TWO (grams burned) FLARES (grams)
06/01/12 06/02/12 06/03/12 06/04/12 06/05/12 06/06/12 06/07/12 06/10/12 06/12/12 06/13/12 06/14/12 06/15/12 06/16/12 06/19/12 06/20/12 06/22/12 06/26/12 06/29/12 06/30/12 07/01/12 07/03/12 07/05/12 07/10/12 07/11/12 07/12/12 07/14/12 07/16/12 07/17/12 07/18/12 07/22/12 07/23/12 07/24/12 07/25/12 07/29/12 07/31/12 08/01/12 08/02/12 08/03/12
2.30 1.64 1.23
0.85 0.95
0.55
1.96 2.03 1.65 4.25 2.07 1.08 3.25 1.56 2.70 1.31 2.26 5.53 2.63 2.35 0.74 2.07
0.66
0.58
0.59
1.20 0.61
0.57 0.63 1.09 1.07 1.34
4.12 2.42 2.58 9.31 3.95 2.59 3.30 4.52 4.42
0.79 1.94
2.19 0.64 0.53 1.11 0.71 0.84 1.08 1.04 1.07
0.00 2.30 3.04 1.23 0.95 2.62 0.00 2.77 1.65 2.65 4.25 2.07 2.28 4.45 1.56 0.00 2.70 1.31 2.26 5.53 3.20 2.98 1.09 1.07 1.34 4.12 5.40 5.16 9.84 1.11 3.95 3.30 3.30 0.84 4.52 1.08 5.46 1.07
0.00 2.30 5.34 6.57 7.52 10.14 10.14 12.91 14.56 17.21 21.46 23.53 25.81 30.26 31.82 31.82 34.52 35.83 38.09 43.62 46.82 49.80 50.89 51.96 53.30 57.42 62.82 67.98 77.82 78.93 82.88 86.18 89.48 90.32 94.84 95.92 101.38 102.45
1.25 0.74 0.21 0.60 3.78 0.92 538.20 0.57 1.83 1.24 3.82 249 0.04 0.48 0.59 0.88 11.70 140.40 345.15 514.80 0.29 1.37 2.25 58 275
503
75 225
905 229 736
225 75 150 225
0.40 0.64 0.24
0.67 1.09 0.89
117.00 187.20 70.20
391.95 637.65 520.65
0.29
1.97 0.64
58
792 257
375
0.33 1.43 0.09 0.18 0.43 0.51 0.26 0.50 0.15 0.31 1.48 0.03 1.66 0.80 2.03 26.33 52.65 149.18 0.42 76.05 90.68 865.80 17.55 971.10 0.20 836.55 468.00 1187.55 0.51 1.13 1.00 1.22 0.96 3.96 1.74 1.04 0.81 0.68 1.04
66 103 227 402 490 386 1,592 699 418 326 273 418 300
84
150 1200
40
Page 46
08/07/12 08/13/12 08/14/12 08/22/12 08/24/12 TOTALS
2.78 5.44 1.14 4.49 82.92 9.67 1.13 17.93 6.91
2.78 5.44 1.14 0.00 5.62 0.00 117.43
105.23 110.67 111.81 111.81 117.43 117.43 117.43
0.02 0.51
1.14 2.04
5.85
666.90 1193.40
0.65 2.16
261 868
450
2.65 12.74 3.17 16.29 26,132 grams 115.00 117.43 -2.43 927 9,530 6.26 27.28 1,258
1,065 10,967 3,450
TOTAL AgI RELEASED BY BASE AIRCRAFT: TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS CONTRACTED: FLIGHT HOURS FLOWN TO DATE: FLIGHT HOURS REMAINING :
Page 47
APPENDIX A District II Cloud Base Aircraft

2012 DISTRICT II FLIGHT SUMMARY CLOUD - BASE
DATE HAIL RAIN RECON OTHER (---------all flight times in hundredths of hours----------) 1.64 1.93 10.78 15.85 32.48 12.85 14.81 1.38 8.73 3.70 7.98 7.31 3.06 3.21 1.68 0.82 0.86 0.41 1.48 1.74 2.66 2.42 0.77 2.21 0.47 0.60 1.79 0.88 1.31 2.78 2.77 0.84 2.11 DAILY TOTAL RUNNING TOTAL MAINTENANCEGENERATORS - Cessna (Contractor ONE TWO (hours burned) Expense) 2.20 0.95 0.18 0.16 4.81 0.50 2.45 3.39 0.66 1.87 1433 1983 386 1094 0.04 0.80 2.78 3.62 9.92 4.75 6.36 0.11 2.83 2.12 4.97 1.98 0.71 8 161 1,118 1,455 3,988 1,910 2,557 44 1,138 852 1,998 796 285 150 900 3225 2250 225 300 GENERATORS - Cessna ONE TWO (grams burned) GENERATORS - Senecas GENERATORS - Senecas FLARES ONE TWO ONE TWO (hours burned) (grams burned) (grams) 0.53 0.08 107 16
06/01/12 06/02/12 06/03/12 06/04/12 06/05/12 06/06/12 06/07/12 06/08/12 06/09/12 06/13/12 06/14/12 06/15/12 06/16/12 06/17/12 06/18/12 06/19/12 06/20/12 06/21/12 06/22/12 06/23/12 06/24/12 06/26/12 06/27/12 06/28/12 06/30/12 07/02/12 07/03/12 07/04/12 07/08/12 07/09/12 07/10/12 07/11/12 07/12/12 07/15/12 07/16/12 07/17/12 07/18/12 07/19/12 07/20/12 07/21/12 07/22/12 07/24/12 07/25/12
2.78
2.15 14.98 8.80 17.43 18.39 4.77 4.07 8.44 1.93 12.75 8.24 3.04 2.69 4.17
0.42 1.07 2.03 0.93 1.58 1.24
2.65 3.45
0.52 0.91 1.49 0.45 0.97 0.48 2.55 0.44
0.86 1.31
7.76 11.60 5.59 11.13 5.56
1.56 1.57 3.89
2.48
1.04 1.26 0.70
3.59 1.74 5.19 0.00 14.99 17.50 36.00 2.78 15.62 14.81 5.00 8.73 2.11 6.91 10.48 8.17 3.47 0.00 0.00 2.57 16.05 8.80 19.46 0.00 22.01 10.52 4.07 9.68 2.65 5.90 0.91 12.75 9.73 4.35 3.84 2.05 14.20 11.60 0.44 5.59 12.17 9.30 0.70
3.59 5.33 10.52 10.52 25.51 43.01 79.01 81.79 97.41 112.22 117.22 125.95 128.06 134.97 145.45 153.62 157.09 157.09 157.09 159.66 175.71 184.51 203.97 203.97 225.98 236.50 240.57 250.25 252.90 258.80 259.71 272.46 282.19 286.54 290.38 292.43 306.63 318.23 318.67 324.26 336.43 345.73 346.43
0.80 2.78
161 559
0.39
114
600
0.21 2.54 2.16 0.96 1.93 3.96 0.82 1.06
123
562 1129 480 0.21 0.55 1.47
7.32 5.02 7.49 7.20 1.62 2.27 4.95 0.49 6.57 1.81 2.20 0.06 2.58 5.20 3.71 2.90 1.74
42 111 295
2,943 2,018 3,011 2,894 651 913 1,990 197 2,641 728 884 24 1,037 2,090 1,491 1,166 699
1200 1425 1725 1500 1500 2100
1.54 3.22 0.25 1.96 1147 0.07 0.56
310 647 113 14
525 75 150 75 75 825 1350 600
0.26
1.37
801
0.72 0.01
145 2
0.12 2.64
1.65
35
965
Page 48
07/26/12 07/27/12 07/28/12 07/29/12 08/01/12 08/06/12 08/07/12 08/08/12 08/09/12 08/10/12 08/11/12 08/13/12 08/18/12 08/21/12 08/24/12 08/29/12 TOTALS
11.48 2.19 1.54
1.10
1.34 1.10 0.90 3.05
13.14
1.83 1.11 20.79 38.36
1.30
291.76
35.60
0.00 0.00 11.48 3.29 1.54 0.00 0.00 1.34 0.00 1.10 0.90 3.05 0.00 0.00 16.27 1.11 0.00 386.51
346.43 346.43 357.91 361.20 362.74 362.74 362.74 364.08 364.08 365.18 366.08 369.13 369.13 369.13 385.40 386.51 386.51 386.51
6.37 0.63 0.54 1.42 1.13 0.19 0.40 831 0.49 197 6.51 109 2,617 675 75
1.56 0.17 0.25 1.67 977 4.51
314
1,813
675
30.81
0.51
20.36
149
11,911
15.48
114.79
3,111
46,146
22,200
TOTAL AgI RELEASED BY BASE AIRCRAFT: TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS CONTRACTED: FLIGHT HOURS FLOWN TO DATE: FLIGHT HOURS REMAINING :
83,517 grams 425.00 386.51 38.49
Page 49
APPENDIX A District II Cloud Top Aircraft, Turbo-Prop

2012 DISTRICT II FLIGHT SUMMARY CLOUD - TOP (TURBO-PROP ONLY)
DATE HAIL RAIN RECON OTHER DAILY RUNNING MAINTENANCEDRY ICE TOTAL TOTAL (Contractor Expense) (pounds) 0.00 1.19 1.43 6.01 7.59 3.39 2.89 3.10 2.78 2.63 1.80 1.88 2.86 2.76 2.61 3.31 3.19 2.42 3.33 4.04 1.67 3.53 2.11 2.68 2.94 4.58 3.51 1.21 4.21 2.99 1.67 0.00 0.00 3.39 1.27 1.44 0.00 1.50 0.00 1.99 7.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 107.16 0.00 1.19 2.62 8.63 16.22 19.61 22.50 25.60 28.38 31.01 32.81 34.69 37.55 40.31 42.92 46.23 49.42 51.84 55.17 59.21 60.88 64.41 66.52 69.20 72.14 76.72 80.23 81.44 85.65 88.64 90.31 90.31 90.31 93.70 94.97 96.41 96.41 97.91 97.91 99.90 107.16 107.16 107.16 107.16 107.16 107.16 107.16 1.39 70.00 313.60 37.00 119.40 146.40 144.80 105.60 124.00 45.80 102.60 198.40 67.60 187.20 200.00 200.00 175.40 151.80 163.00 37.60 148.40 152.20 144.00 293.80 123.60 7.80 354.60 160.40 110.40 3.21 1.77 169.80 57.60 158.80 1.57 4.80 0.60 93.60 197.20 2800 2720 FLARES (grams)
05/31/12 06/01/12 06/03/12 06/06/12 06/07/12 06/09/12 06/12/12 06/13/12 06/14/12 06/15/12 06/17/12 06/18/12 06/19/12 06/20/12 06/23/12 06/24/12 06/26/12 06/27/12 06/30/12 07/02/12 07/03/12 07/04/12 07/07/12 07/08/12 07/09/12 07/11/12 07/15/12 07/18/12 07/19/12 07/21/12 07/22/12 07/25/12 07/26/12 07/28/12 08/01/12 08/02/12 08/07/12 08/11/12 08/19/12 08/22/12 08/24/12
1.19 1.43 6.01 5.59 3.39 2.89 3.10 2.78 2.63 1.80 1.88 2.86 2.76 2.61 3.31 3.19 2.42 3.33 4.04 1.67 3.53 2.11 2.68 2.94 2.37 3.51 1.21 4.21 2.99 1.67 2.21 2.00
980 480 1420 200 225 100 340 1100 1480 3950 450 1340 800 1080 40 1620 1620 680 440 700
3.39 1.27 1.44 1.50 1.99 7.26
TOTALS
82.04
21.69
3.43
0.00
8.54
4,767.20
24,565
TOTAL AgI RELEASED BY PA-31 AIRCRAFT: TOTAL DRY ICE USED ON PROJECT: TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS CONTRACTED: FLIGHT HOURS FLOWN TO DATE: FLIGHT HOURS REMAINING:
24,565 grams 4,767.20 pounds 145.00 107.16 37.84
Page 50
APPENDIX A District II Cloud Top Aircraft, Cessna

2012 DISTRICT II FLIGHT SUMMARY CLOUD - TOP (CESSNA)
DATE HAIL RAIN RECON OTHER DAILY TOTAL RUNNING MAINTENANCE GENERATORS TOTAL (Contractor ONE TWO Expense) (hours burned) 2.59 3.77 8.46 10.86 12.90 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 14.95 GENERATORS ONE TWO (grams burned) FLARES (grams) 120 60 200 780 200 760
06/23/12 06/24/12 07/09/12 07/19/12 07/28/12 08/18/12
2.59 1.18 4.69 2.40 2.04 2.05
TOTALS
3.58
11.37
0.00
0.00
2.59 1.18 4.69 2.40 2.04 2.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.95
0.00
0.00
0.00
2,120
TOTAL AgI RELEASED BY C-340 AIRCRAFT: TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS CONTRACTED: FLIGHT HOURS FLOWN TO DATE: FLIGHT HOURS REMAINING:
2,120 grams 50.00 14.95 35.05
Page 51
APPENDIX B Piper Seneca II 4,570 lbs maximum gross weight 3,200 lbs typical empty weight 1,370 lbs typical useful load Turbocharged, 200HP engines Portable supplemental oxygen system 200 hp per engine at sea level 215 hp at 12,000 ft 225 mph max cruise speed 185 mph recommended cruise speed 70 mph stall in landing configuration 93-123 gallons usable fuel capacity 25,000 feet all engine service ceiling 14,000 feet single engine service ceiling 1,200 feet per minute all engine rate of climb 190 feet per minute single engine rate of climb 1,030 feet for takeoff over 50-ft obstruction 750 feet for takeoff ground roll 950 feet landing ground roll 28 ft. 07 in. length 9 ft. 11 in. height 38 ft. 11 in. wingspan
Page 52
APPENDIX B Cessna 340A 6,290 lbs maximum gross weight 4,500 lbs typical empty weight 1,790 lbs typical useful load Pressurized cabin Turbocharged, intercooled 310HP engines 281 mph max cruise speed 263 mph recommended cruise speed 75 mph stall in landing configuration 183-203 gallons usable fuel capacity 29,800 feet all engine service ceiling 15,800 feet single engine service ceiling 1,650 feet per minute all engine rate of climb 315 feet per minute single engine rate of climb 2,175 feet for takeoff over 50-ft obstruction 1,615 feet for takeoff ground roll 1,850 feet land over 50-ft obstruction 770 feet landing ground roll 34 ft. 04 in. length 12 ft. 07 in. height 38 ft. 01 in. wingspan
Page 53
APPENDIX B Piper Cheyenne II Full de-icing capabilities Turboprop twin engine PT6A-28 engines 9,000 lbs gross weight 5,018 lbs typical empty weight 3,982 lbs typical useful load 620HP per engine 283 kts max cruise speed 269 kts recommended cruise speed 382 gallons usable fuel capacity 31,600 feet all engine service ceiling 14,600 feet single engine service ceiling 2,710 feet per minute all engine rate of climb 660 feet per minute single engine rate of climb 1,980 feet for takeoff over 50-ft obstruction 1,410 feet for takeoff ground roll 2,480 feet land over 50-ft obstruction 1,430 feet landing ground roll 34 ft. 08 in. length 12 ft. 09 in. height 42 ft. 08 in. wingspan
Page 54

2012 NDCMP Final Report North Dakota Cloud Seeding

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State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

DAILY OPERATIONS ....................................................................................................................16 METEOROLOGICAL SYNOPSIS .....................................................................................................17

10.0 11.0 12.0

PUBLIC RELATIONS .....................................................................................................................40

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

WILBUR E. BREWER PROFESSIONALISM AWARD .....................................................................................................40 OUTSTANDING INTERN AWARD..............................................................................................................................40

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

2012 COUNTY AUTHORITY MEMBERS (*Denotes Chair)

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

2012 AIRCRAFT CONTRACTOR

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report

WEATHER RADAR SYSTEM

State of North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board State Water Commission

2012 NDCMP Final Operations Report