Hurricanes are dangerous and unpredictable — they're one of the most powerful forces in nature, and we depend on hurricane hunters to help predict and prepare for their wrath. The whole process of becoming a hurricane hunter can be overwhelming. The hours are long, the pay is low, there are intense physical tests, and it's often difficult to find an open slot. You can't fight Mother Nature, but you can go out and experience her fury firsthand. Become a hurricane hunter and witness the might and sheer force of nature. Want to know where to start? Guess what? It's not very easy to become a hurricane hunter. You have to have a number of specialized skills that can't be acquired through just reading experience. We're here to make it easy. We'll show you the steps necessary for becoming a hurricane hunter and clear away all the difficulties that can slow you down. What Does A Hurricane Hunter Do?A hurricane hunter is a person that flies into the eye of the storm in order to measure data and collect information. These people are also known as storm chasers or hurricane chasers because they chase hurricanes around in order to study them. They measure wind speeds, barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, and other factors. They send this information back to the National Hurricane Center so that they can forecast what will happen next. They also take pictures of the storm from above. They are typically employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Air Force. They fly in planes with special instruments to measure the storm's strength. The hurricane hunter's job is to provide data that will help predict when a storm will hit land. In order to fly into a hurricane, these pilots need to have a lot of skill and experience. They need to be able to maintain their composure while flying through dangerous conditions. Why Is Their Job Important?Hurricanes are destructive storms that can be deadly. The National Hurricane Center sends out hurricane hunters to gather the data needed to predict these storms. This information helps meteorologists predict how bad it will be before it hits land. The planes that hurricane hunters use is specifically designed to fly into the eye of a hurricane because they can withstand extreme weather conditions. They provide vital data for weather forecasters so they can make accurate predictions about how a storm will develop. They do this by using an instrument called a dropsonde, which is dropped from the plane and transmits data from inside the hurricane. This is important because it helps people get prepared for the storm. It would be difficult for meteorologists to know what's happening inside a storm without them. Research organizations like NOAA or NASA usually employ them, but private companies also do this kind of work. Other organizations include U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and National Hurricane Center (NHC). There are also private companies that do this kind of work too. Guideline On Becoming A Hurricane HunterThe hurricane hunter is a profession that is both challenging and rewarding. It requires a lot of preparation and training to become a hurricane hunter. In this article, we will discuss what you need to do to become a hurricane hunter as well as what you can expect from the job. The following guide is for brave adventurers who want to be a part of the Hurricane Hunters Association. There is a wide range of job opportunities for those interested in hurricane research and forecasting and who are always looking for new members. Here are the steps to apply for a hurricane hunter job. Step One: Choose A Specialty. This section will talk about the different specialties that a hurricane hunter can choose from. There are two main paths for creating carrier as a hurricane hunter: meteorology and engineering. Meteorologists study the atmosphere, while engineers’ study how things work. Both paths require a bachelor's degree in their respective fields. Meteorology: Meteorologists need to have a bachelor's degree in meteorology or atmospheric science and should also have an understanding of math and physics. They can then apply for jobs with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or other meteorological organizations like AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, or The Weather Underground. Engineers: Engineers need to have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering with an emphasis on civil engineering, environmental engineering, geological engineering, and structural engineering. Step Two: Meet Minimum Requirement: There are many different ways for your education. One can get a degree in meteorology or atmospheric sciences and then work their way up from there. They can also be an experienced pilot with experience flying small planes in bad weather conditions. Don't worry if you don't have any flying experience or a college degree. A high school diploma will suffice. Plus, you can apply for non-flying jobs, too, and work your way up from there. For example, the Hurricane Hunters Association offers non-flying jobs such as administration, aerial port, security police, aircraft maintenance, and more. Step Three: Finish School: If you haven't graduated from high school yet, stick with it! All of our jobs require at least a high-school level diploma, and officer positions require a college degree (pilots, navs and weather officers). For those who wish to pursue the officer positions, be aware that Air Force ROTC and the Air Force Academy offer scholarships, but usually lead to a period of active duty service. Although this would delay your ability to join us and the Air Force Reserve, we put those links here so you can explore the great opportunities they offer. Step Four: Scholarship Opportunity If you want to be an officer, the Air Force offers scholarships through their ROTC and Academy programs that can get you started. These scholarships are available for hurricane hunters. The Air Force ROTC scholarship program offers tuition assistance for those who are interested in pursuing a career as an officer in the United States Air Force. In addition to the scholarship assistance, students will be able to take part in leadership training and have access to professional development courses. Disclaimer: This will take a long time because you will need to be on active duty for a certain period. Nevertheless, if you don't mind the delay, this will be a good opportunity. Step Five: Talk to the Reserve Recruiter. The recruiter can tell you what job openings we have, and walk you through the initial steps. He or she will also set up an interview for you. There's no obligation, and the recruiter can answer a lot of your questions. The recruiter will tell you what job openings available and what qualifications are needed to apply for them. They'll also help you identify your skills, accomplishments, and goals to make sure they're the perfect fit for the job. Also, feel free to ask them all the questions you want. Their job is to help potential candidates know about the line of work and where to begin. First, the recruiter will ask for your credentials, and then they will go through the process of hurricane hunter job taking journey details with you. They will also set up interviews with the National Hurricane Center, the local National Weather Service office, and other related agencies. But, again, it's not a difficult process, and there is no obligation. You just need to contact the nearest recruiter, and they will be able to answer any of your questions and provide you with more information about the requirements. You can reach your nearest recruiter by calling 1-800-257-1212 or if you are specifically looking for an opening in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron call the 403rd Wing recruiter at 228-377-5236. Where Do You Want to Work?There are many bases and squadrons around the country. Check out the Air Force Reserve Home Page to learn where these bases are, and check out the links. It is best if you select a base near to where you plan to live, be willing to move near that base, or explain how you plan to commute to the squadron. Of course, if you have your heart set on becoming a Hurricane Hunter, most of us live along the Gulf Coast, near Biloxi, Mississippi and Keesler Air Force Base. Step Six: Take a Military Qualification Test. If you are applying for the navigator or pilot job, you will need to take the Air Force Officer Qualification Test. The AFOQT is a standardized test that the United States Air Force uses to determine whether or not you are qualified for entry into their officer programs. There are two ways to take the test: computerized testing or paper-and-pencil testing. To be eligible for computerized testing, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have completed at least ten college credits, and have passed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Again, you will recruiter will guide you through the process, so you won't have to worry about a thing except for preparing for the exam. Step Seven:
Interview With the Supervisor of that Crew Position.
Certainly, you may talk by telephone first. If you're applying for a pilot job, you're going to need to talk to the chief pilot. Don't forget to bring your resume, FAA license and records, and any other credentials to your interview. The chief pilot will be looking for a few things: experience in flying, experience in the area of the country where they're flying, and a good personality. You have a chance to ask specific questions about the position, the job, and the culture. It's also a great time to figure out if you're really interested in this job. After that, you will have an interview with someone from the authority. If they like what they hear, they'll ask if you can come in for another interview with someone who has firsthand experience as a storm chaser or meteorologist. Step Eight: Pass the Flight Physical. The Air Force flight physical test is a grueling test for those who aspire to become hurricane hunters. The journey of a hurricane hunter includes passing the physical flight test, which can be very difficult to pass. The exam is administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and consists of three parts: A written exam that tests knowledge of aviation topics, including aircraft engines and navigation systems, weather, and flight regulations; A practical skills test where the applicant must demonstrate their ability to perform aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane; and An oral interview with a panel of FAA medical officers who assess the applicant's overall health. Aspiring hurricane hunters must also maintain an FAA medical certificate while they are employed as one. Pilots face the most demanding requirements. Besides your hearing, blood pressure, weight, and mobility, you need to be in good health overall. It is recommended that crew members have 20/20 vision, depth perception, and color vision. These tests are designed to determine potential candidates' ability to meet the rigors of military service and their ability to operate as part of a team in various environments. Step Nine: Meet the Board.(Pilots and Navigators only) No, you don't meet the selection board in person, your paperwork does. Your sponsoring squadron will send up a package which includes your test scores, physical, grades, letters of recommendation, and other relevant documents to a Selection Board. If they decide you're well qualified, you're on your way! This is highly competitive, so you need to have the best possible test scores, grades, etc. For example, only one out of four or five candidates are selected for pilot training, but those are actually pretty good odds for one of the best jobs in the world! YOU'RE SELECTED--WHAT'S NEXT?Step Ten. Basic Military Training. Enlisted personnel go through Basic Military Training, while officers attend Officer Training School (OTS). This amounts to four months at Maxwell Air Force Base, near Montgomery, Alabama. You'll learn how to march, salute, and special ways to fold your socks, in addition to all the things you need to know about the military. For prior-service folks, check with your recruiter. Step Eleven. Physiological Training. Before you ever step foot in an airplane, you'll go through the altitude chamber. In this three-day course, you'll learn how your body reacts to the stresses of flight: how silly you get if you don't get enough oxygen, for example. You'll actually "fly" to high altitudes inside the chamber to feel the pressure changes and find out what happens if you ate a burrito for dinner. For pilots and navigators, this is part of your formal school. Step Twelve. Formal School. Several of the crew positions have formal schools, to learn the basics of the job, and then a course specific to the C-130. This may run for a few months to over a year, depending on your specialty. All of this training will be full time, so you'll need to be excused from any other job you may have for these long classes. Of course, you'll draw full pay while you're training. Step Thirteen. Survival School. Every aircrew member goes through Survival. There's three weeks at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington for Basic Combat Survival. After classroom training, you'll spend a week in the Cascade Mountains, building shelters, setting snares, signaling rescuers, and navigating in the woods. Then you'll get four days of Water Survival in Florida, where you definitely will get wet. This class culminates with a short parasail, and some time in a life raft on the ocean. These classes are physically demanding, but very interesting! Step Fourteen. Qualification Training. Welcome to the Hurricane Hunters! You will finish some specialized training "in house", but you're on the team now--congratulations! Most of our newcomers work as part-time (traditional) reservists, which means you are free to work another job full-time. Your reserve pay will be a nice supplement to your income, but most importantly, you've joined one of the most elite organizations in the world, and will have the extreme satisfaction of knowing your work is helping to save lives. Additional Info. Air Reserve Technicians. Half of our jobs are full time, under the ART program. This is a civil service job, and you will need to apply to the AFRC "Special Examining Unit" to have your resume rated (to see if you qualify for the job you want). Still In School? Prepare For Your Future!* Make the best possible grades and graduate. Your recruiter can explain educational benefits. Tips For Becoming A Hurricane HunterThe process of becoming a hurricane hunter is quite difficult, as it requires a lot of dedication and perseverance. It is not easy to get into this career field and maintain the necessary skillset. But it is definitely worth the effort. Becoming a part of this elite group will allow you to see the world from a different perspective, and it will also give you opportunities that most people don't have. Here are some tips that will help you along the way.
How Much Does A Hurricane Hunter Make?The process of becoming a hurricane hunter is long and complicated. It requires a lot of applications and interviews before you can finally be accepted into the program. So, the pay should be just as good, right? The average salary is $70,000 to $90,000 per year. However, that depends on the person's experience in question and how many years they have been doing this job. They work in various fields, but their primary job is to fly into dangerous storms and collect data about the storm. That being said, it will take a few years before someone earns a respectable salary. The amount they can make will vary depending on their qualification, rank, and skill level. Frequently Asked Questions1. How do you feel when you fly through a hurricane?Hurricanes are some of the most powerful forces on earth, with incredible winds that can reach up to 200 miles per hour and cause widespread destruction. They are also very unpredictable, with no warning signs before they hit their target area. Even though hurricanes are dangerous, there is something about flying through them that makes them so exhilarating and exciting for many people who have done it before. Hurricane Hunters get a chance to fly through the eye of a hurricane, which is known as the eyewall. This is where they can measure wind speed, pressure, and temperature. They also get to see what it's like in the eye of the storm, something you might not be able to do from ground level. It's not just about flying through these storms, either. They have an amazing opportunity for research because they can actually see how a hurricane develops over time. 2. Can a regular person get a ride into a hurricane even if he/she is not a hurricane hunter?Hurricanes are powerful storms that can cause devastating damage. To help with the understanding of these storms and their effects, hurricane hunters are sent into them to investigate. However, there is no way for a regular person to get into a hurricane without being a storm chaser or going through rigorous training. 3. Why do forecasters need so much information about wind speeds?Even in the age of technology and data, there is still a lot that we don't know about hurricanes. This natural phenomenon can be predicted by the way they form in the ocean and how they move across land. But their intensity is difficult to predict because of how quickly they change speed and direction. This makes it difficult for forecasters to predict where they will go next or what path they will take when they get there, which means that predicting their intensity becomes more difficult as time goes on. The reason why they want all that wind speed data is that it helps them to understand better how storms work. They can use this information to make more accurate predictions about where a hurricane will go, what path it will take, and how long it will last. They also use wind speed data for other reasons like preventing property damage, saving lives, and reducing economic losses. Final WordsThe job of a hurricane hunter can be very dangerous and requires a lot of training before it can be done safely. Hurricanes are unpredictable, and you need the ability to think quickly on your feet. In order to become a hurricane hunter, you need to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of the weather. You also need to be in excellent physical shape. For this reason, most people who do this for their career are pilots with extensive experience in flying through hurricanes. |