News - NASA AESP Glenn Research Center
CAP Contributes to NASA Aviation Weather Mission
The Civil Air Patrol/NASA Aviation
Weather Mission team has played a key role in supporting the
organization’s partnership with NASA and leading a nationwide effort
to advance scientific understanding of weather in the layers of the
atmosphere where aircraft fly.
The mission engaged more than 3,800 CAP volunteers in 48 states and
two U.S. territories, who collected atmospheric observations and
documented aircraft information using the GLOBE Observer app,
providing NASA researchers with data that cannot be captured by
satellites alone.
By observing how aircraft interact with
the atmosphere, volunteers were able to observe phenomena, like the
formation of different types of contrails, that help NASA scientists
estimate the temperature, humidity, and wind conditions at different
layers of the atmosphere.
“This is the type of data that NASA uses to improve the aviation weather forecasts that pilots rely on,” said Capt. Shannon Babb, Rocky Mountain Region deputy chief of staff for aerospace education. “But studying the layers of the atmosphere where aircraft fly is notoriously difficult and requires a high level of teamwork on a national scale.
“Luckily, Civil Air Patrol volunteers were uniquely suited to conduct this mission.”
The 2025 Aviation Weather Mission, conducted from April-July, was a collaboration between Civil Air Patrol and the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative. Members from across all eight CAP regions participated in the mission, tracking airplanes, reporting airport conditions, and collecting atmospheric observations such as clouds and contrails.
During four four-hour observation periods, members used the GLOBE
Observer app’s cloud tool to record sky conditions, classify cloud
types, and identify contrail types while also gathering commercial
aircraft details such as registration numbers and altitudes. Each
session produced unique observations as weather conditions varied from
state to state and month to month.
“Taking part in the
Aviation Weather Mission with Civil Air Patrol was an experience I’ll
never forget, one of those rare opportunities where passion, purpose
and service all come together,” said Cadet 1st Lt. Kevin Reyes of the
Puerto Rico Wing’s Ponce Cadet Squadron. “With the GLOBE Observer app,
I was able to use something as familiar as my phone and turn it into a
scientific instrument, spending hours scanning the skies for aircraft
and capturing them in motion.
“My efforts, combined with those of volunteers across the country, became part of a much bigger picture, contributing to scientific understanding that could have a global impact.”
“This was one of my top favorite experiences I’ve had with Civil Air Patrol,” said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Buford of the Oklahoma Wing’s Riverside Composite Squadron. “I love both weather and aviation. Not only did we get to partner with NASA on something cool and valuable, but I also learned important skills for my future.
“Perfect day, great team, and both a fun and educational experience! Working together took fast-paced communication and problem-solving, but we were running smoothly by our third plane, and from then on, it was fun!”
The NASA GLOBE Clouds team at NASA Langley Research Center in
Hampton, Virginia, is processing the preliminary data.
The
mission not only generated valuable scientific information but also
gave participants the chance to reflect on their experiences.
"This is the type of data that NASA uses to improve the aviation weather forcasts that pilots rely on. ... Luckily, Civil Air Patrol volunteers were uniquely suited to conduct this mission," said Captain Shannon Babb.
The CAP/NASA Aviation Weather Mission is part of Civil Air Patrol’s
broader commitment to aerospace education and its role as the U.S. Air
Force auxiliary.
Since its launch, the initiative has
involved thousands of members gaining hands-on experience in applied
science while contributing to national research priorities.
For Babb, the past year has been about blending service with
science.
“This mission allows us to take something as simple
as looking up at the sky and turn it into data that matters,” she
said. “That’s what makes Civil Air Patrol unique: We serve our
communities while supporting missions that reach far beyond them.”
Further information about the GLOBE Observer missions can be found on observer.globe.gov.
"Taking part in taking part in the Aviation Weather Mission with Civil Air Patrol was an experience I'll never forget, one of those rare opportunities where passion, purpose and service all come together. ... My efforts, combined with those of volunteers across the country, became part of a much bigger picture, contributing to scientific understanding that could have a global impact," said Cadet 1st Lt. Kevin Reyes.
Looking ahead, Civil Air Patrol has stood up the Aurora Watch mission, a new effort designed to engage members in observing and reporting auroral activity across the United States for NASA.
Headed by Maj. Julie DeVries of the Georgia Wing, the program will
build on the success of the Aviation Weather Mission by training
members to capture real-time data on northern lights activity,
providing valuable input to scientists studying space weather and its
effects on communications, navigation systems, and aviation.
_____
Capt. Roman Vitanza
Public Information Officer
CAP/NASA Missions
Article reposted from the Civil Air Patrol News page.
More >>