Over 285 U-2 aircraft flights contributed to this collection, intentionally flown into turbulence regions globally. The dataset records upper air wind turbulence combined with meteorological forecasts and observations. The project was conducted by the U.S. Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory in the mid-1960s to improve aircraft structural design.
Use Cases
- Correlate recorded wind turbulence data with meteorological observations to model turbulence intensity.
- Analyze flight path data from intentional turbulence encounters to assess aircraft structural response.
- Use global collection locations to study the geographical distribution of high-altitude clear air turbulence.
Strengths
- Over 285 documented flight missions provide a substantial sample of turbulence encounters.
- Data collection was intentional and systematic, targeting known or suspected turbulence regions.
- Global spatial coverage includes primary points in Louisiana, California, Maine, Florida, Panama, and England.
Limitations
- Data is temporally stale, with the last update recorded in 1968, limiting relevance to modern aircraft.
- Specific row counts, column details, and measurement precision are unknown.
- The dataset may reflect the technological and aircraft performance limitations of the 1960s.
Provenance
- Source
- U.S. Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, archived by NOAA NCEI.
- Collection Method
- Data collected intentionally by U-2 aircraft flown into regions of turbulence or suspected turbulence.
- Time Range
- Mid-1960s.
- Freshness
- 1968-12-31
- Geography
- Global, with primary collection points in Louisiana, California, Maine, Florida, Panama, and England.