During the summer of 1992 I was hired by MTL systems of Dayton, Ohio as a member of a three person team charged with cross continental weather data collection. I flew from Dayton, Ohio to Seattle, Washington where I met two crew members currently in the field.
Our job was to collect weather data over a 24 hour period at a predetermined national weather service station and then repeat the data collection procedures four times at 50 mile increments from the initial national weather station site.
We began in Washington state continued south along the pacific coast into Arizona , New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and back to Dayton, Ohio.
My duties where to launch helium filled weather balloons on the hour every two hours during an 8 hour sift over a 24 hour period. I also monitored ground based weather stations and a variety of PC based computer systems as well as keeping accurate logs. My crew and I were responsible for maintaining all of the equipment on board a 5 ton diesel truck as well as maintaining Helium and other supplies while in the field.
The experiences I had during these 3 months traveling all over the US are very valuable. I developed close working relationships with my crew as well as developed planning and communication skills.
During the summer of 1993 I was hired by MTL systems of Dayton, Ohio to develop preliminary research data and methodology for determining emissivity of materials in situ. This was a very valuable learning experience for me because I was charged with a task that there was relatively little research knowledge previously acquired. Subsequent research and development within the company was based on my research accumulated during the summer which required my work to be occupationally through and complete.
I used MS Excel as well as built several full scale prototype devices to mathematically model and test emissivity detection theories. I also developed research skills through research at university libraries, the Internet and other information services. I frequently communicated with company representatives and professionals within the field.
Dave Kelch -Research Director
Mtl Systems
3481 Dayton-Xenia Road
Dayton, Ohio.
45432-2796
(513)-426-3111 Ext. 321
andyw@lowell.edu