Missouri Wing Squadron Participates in Final NASA Aviation Weather Mission

Missouri Wing's Lake Ozark Regional Composite Squadron was able to participate in the final NASA Aviation Weather Mission on July 12th, 2025. They had total cloud cover for the first half of the mission so they participated in the Tree Calibration Calculations. Cadets used a sextant and trigonometry to help calibrate the GLOBE tree protocol for the GLOBE Observer.

When the skies cleared for the second half they were able to gather data on three total planes. Data collected included contrail type, plane data from Flight Radar 24, exact location in the sky determined with sextant and compass, weather, cloud formations, and time/date. Weather and safety officers were utilized.

This data from Civil Air Patrol units all over the country will be used to help NASA to improve weather models and enhance aviation safety by studying how humidity affects aircraft icing and contrail persistence.

(Per NASA instruction, CAP PT wear was authorized due to the hot weather.)