N49RF Returning For Hurricane Flights

NOAA's G-IV N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246) is returning to Hawai‘i for hurricane analysis flights. Flying as NOAA49, it is en route from LGB to HNL, and will arrive early this afternoon.

NOAA's N43RF

With Tropical Storm Lowell passing  to the south-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, and Category 3 Hurricane Karina to the southeast of the islands, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is deploying N43RF "Miss Piggy" (msn 285A-5633) from its base at LAL to JRF, via LGB, as NOAA43.

Further weather coverage in this Fox Weather report.

01 September 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Storm Lowell has been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane, and Karina has been upgraded to a Category 4.

NOAA's N42RF Returns

NOAA has deployed N42RF back to JRF for research flights into Tropical Depression 2-C. The weather system is forecasted to turn into Tropical Storm Moke (pronounced Moh-kay) within the next 12-24 hours. This WP-3D is arriving from LGB this afternoon as NOAA42.

The above photo was taken today, on short final for JRF's Runway 22L, on its arrival from LGB.

21 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Depression 2-C has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Moke today.

25 August 2026 UPDATE

With Tropical Depression Moke way off to the west of Hawai‘i, N42RF departed for LGB this morning.

Tropical Invest 93C

To get a handle of the storm systems southeast of Hawai‘i, NOAA has dispatched its G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), and one of its WP-3Ds, N42RF "Kermit" (msn 285A-5266) to the islands to monitor the storm. N49RF arrived yesterday as NOAA49, and N42RF will arrive later today as NOAA42. Both aircraft will be based out of JRF for this deployment.

The US Air Force is sending 97-5305 (msn 382-5475) from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. This WC-130J Weatherbird is flying from MHR to KOA as TEAL83. 

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Invest 93C, a system southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Invest is the NHC term for Investigating for potential tropical development, 93C is the location designator, and would be named Lala in the event of it developing into a tropical depression.

National coverage with this Fox Weather report; and local coverage with this KHON2 report.

12 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Invest 93C has been upgraded to Tropical Cyclone 1C. Two more WC-130Js arrived, 96-5302 (msn 382-5453) and 97-5303 (msn 382-5473) to fly into the storm.

13 August 2026 UPDATE
Tropical Cyclone 1C has now been upgraded to Tropical Storm Lala.

Follow updates on the National Hurricane Center advisory.

15 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Storm Lala has been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane.

Both N42RF and N49RF departed JRF this morning for SDM [Brown Field, San Diego, CA]. 

Hurricane Fausto

With Hurricane Fausto approaching the Hawaiian Islands, four US Air Force WC-130Js from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, and NOAA's G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo", have made their trips to Hawai‘i to gather storm information. KOA's Big Island Jet Center posted on their Instagram page that they are handling the "Hurricane Hunters". Usually the WC-130Js will position at JRF when deployed to Hawai‘i.

N49RF has been positioned at OGG for this storm gathering flights. Normally, "Gonzo" is handled by Castle & Cooke Aviation at HNL.

NOAA's N49RF

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's G-IV SP, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), is making its winter training flight sessions out of HNL. Flying as NOAA49, this G-IV SP, arrived from LAL, via SDL, today.

NOAA Selects The C-130J To Replace The WP-3Ds

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today that they have awarded a contract to Lockheed-Martin for two C-130Js to replace their aging WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunters. NOAA is expected to take delivery of the C-130Js in 2030, and will have the options for more aircraft.

NOAA To Receive A Second G550

NOAA announced today that they will receive a second G550, along with the first that is on order, and will replace N49RF "Gonzo" in 2025. This second G550 will be delivered in 2028.

NOAA's N49RF Returns

NOAA's Gulfstream G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246) is back at HNL for testing and training. It arrived this afternoon from LGB.

NOAA's N49RF

NOAA's Gulfstream IV, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), is making its winter season flight training at HNL. It's scheduled to be based here for a couple of weeks.

19 Dec 2023 UPDATE

NOAA49 departed for PSP this morning, then will continue onto SAV tomorrow.

NOAA's N49RF

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Gulfstream G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), is spending a few weeks at HNL for training. This G-IV arrived from LAL (via LGB) as NOAA49, this afternoon.

NOAA's N43RF

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is sending N43RF "Miss Piggy" (msn 5633) to HNL. This WP-3D Orion will be doing test flights out HNL for an unknown period of time.

Hurricane Tracking Aircraft

With Hurricane Lane making a close path near the Hawaiian Islands, NOAA has dispatched both their WP-3D, N42RF and Gulfstream IV, N49RF, along with two WC-130Js from the US Air Force to fly into the hurricane to take measurements.

NOAA's N49RF

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather-hunting Gulfstream IV, N49RF, has been based out of HNL since 13 February, probably for the winter weather systems approaching the Hawaiian Islands.

02.24.14 Update
According to FlightAware, N49RF had been flying circuits around the islands, and is heading back to LGB.

NOAA's N49RF

NOAA's G-IV hurricane hunter, N49RF, is at HNL with Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Julio approaching the Hawaiian Islands.

NOAA's N49RF

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Gulfstream G-IVSP, N49RF (msn 1246), arrived from OKO (Yokota AFB, Yokota, Japan) last Friday, February 25th. It's flying around the Hawaiian Islands today as NOAA49 conducting weather tests. It's seen above being prepped for departure to fly around the 50th State, for a 6-hour weather profiling flight.

In 2009, N49RF had a side-looking Doppler radar installed on the aft of the G-IV, and recently had a new nose installed as well.