-------- Original Message --------
A new message, "Update of WVSS Installations," was posted on the ESRL/GSD AMDAR
Information Forum (http://amdar.noaa.gov/oper/forum/)
by Dave Helms on 18 Oct 11, 9:03 MT
The message reads as follows:
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Hi All:
As of today, the Water Vapor Sensing System (WVSS)is flying on the following
aircraft:
United Parcel Service: 25 B757-200
Southwest Airlines: 29 B737-300
These 54 aircraft are generating about 20,000 observations per day (about 500
soundings/day) which are available on AWIPS and in operational NCEP NAM model.
With the pending certification of the B737-700 aircraft, we hope to grow the
WVSS fleet to 92 aircraft by this time next year.
WVSS data are generally as good or better than radiosonde humidity
observations, per NCEP/NCO (Brad Ballish) inter-comparison statistics. The
current exception is GSD tail #1370; this UPS aircraft is scheduled for depot
repair and its WVSS unit will be swapped while the aircraft is in the
maintenance facility.
The original design requirement for WVSS was to operate without additional
calibration and maintenance for 2+ years. With the first WVSS sensors were
installed over 2 years ago, most are meeting this availability specification
for their entire duty cycle.
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