contactThis site details a test platform designed by Jack Elston, Cory Dixon, Jason Roadman, Maciej Stachura, and Tom Aune for flight tests involving in-situ sensing of severe storms. An overview of our system's characteristics can be found in the platform datasheet below. To view results and videos from different flights, please view our flight testing folder.
Our operations occuring at the Table Mountain National Radio Quiet Zone north of Boulder, CO are authorized by the FAA under Certificate of Authorization 2008-WSA-81. Operations at the Pawnee National Grasslands in northeast Colorado are authorized under Certificate of Authorization 2008-WSA-82.
Flights at other locations featuring more than just test scenarios will be authorized by an FAA Certificate of Authorization currently in the appilcation process.
Platform Datasheet
| UA | # of Flights |
Total Flight Time (hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Tempest-0 | 20 | 2.29 |
| Tempest-1 | 7 | 2.04 |
| Tempest-1.5 | 32 | 9.19 |
| Tempest-2 | 10 | 4.89 |
| Totals | 69 | 18.40 |
Platform Features
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Used to investigate
- Atmospheric conditions of pre-tornadic storms
- Rapid and efficient on-site setup and launch
- Net-centric command and control of unmanned aircraft
- Hand launch and belly landing
- Autonomous flight of highly maneuverable aircraft in challenging weather conditions
