Brian Schoettmer & John Gordon WFO Louisville, KY

Ground Survey Limitations/Improvement Ohio/Grayson/Hardin County Supercell Value of Video Road Map for Implementation Mutual Understanding Between Partners Wrap Up

Damage occurs in places that cannot be easily accessed… Damage in heavy terrain 0.5 miles from road will not be seen If A Tree Falls In The Woods… …Was There Really Damage?

Tornado Tracks: Present Legend (E)F-0(E)F-1(E)F-2(E)F-3(E)F-4(E)F-5

 Divergent Vs. Convergent Signatures Big picture easier to see from the air  Time Consuming Ground surveys are inefficient  Length/Width/Start/End Fine details are harder to determine from ground  Embedded Signatures Tornadic signatures embedded in overall straight line wind damage – common in Ohio Valley QLCS storms

 Multi-disciplined team approach for a more comprehensive survey NWS Meteorologists Broadcast Media Structural Engineers General Aviation Pilots Better Surveys!

The Civil Air Patrol is a GREAT resource… However… Not always feasible due to budget constraints and timeliness issues.

Photographer/Flight Instructor Glen Norman Pilot Roy Cantrall

Tornado? Scud? Funnel Cloud? Sparked heavy media interest…however no damage reports from the area

Videos Shot Here EF-2 & EF-0 Here EF-1 Here

Damage signatures clearly convergent

Storm Motion

Huntingburg, IN

Oil Rig Oil Slick

Quicklyindentify scour marks not easily seen on ground Path length and width easilyidentified Identify breaks in path or continuous Quickoverview Distancedebrisscattered Survey places that cannot be reached on foot

 Recruit pilots at local airports with an attractive brochure  Speak to local pilot groups  Set up local office procedures/guidelines to follow  NWS Jackson, KY now participating

Easily accessible Google Earth KML file with volunteer pilot locations, range, contact info, etc. located on a shared office drive.

Unique Entry Into Pilot Log Book Receive An Awesome Plaque! Be An Integral Part In Rating Storm Damage Partner with the NWS

Plaque presentation in front of a Piper Cherokee 140 at Addington Field, Elizabethtown, KY. Left: Glen Norman (photographer) Middle: Roy Cantrall (pilot) Right: Brian Schoettmer

AOPA Online’s Dan Nimowitz wrote an article about the program and our first volunteers

Pilots must clearly understand this is a volunteer program Pilots cannot be asked to fly, they must already be planning to fly that day Pilots cannot be compensated

 Be sure the pilot has a specific path with recognizable landmarks to follow.  Example…cities, rivers, lakes, airports, etc.  Don’t send them on a “Wild Goose Chase”. River/Lake Airport

Local Media Oil Pipeline Aircraft State PoliceMore local pilot groups, airshows, etc.