Storm Simulator

As the holidays approach, people across the U.S. will catch a flight or hit the road to gather for celebrations with family and friends. The planes, cars, and trucks that transport travelers must be able to operate safely in all kinds of weather. That’s where the McKinley Climatic Laboratory in Florida comes in.

The lab houses six rooms called hangars. The biggest is as tall as a seven-story building. Each hangar simulates a different type of weather, from ice storms to scorching heat. Aircraft and vehicle manufacturers bring their products to the lab to see how well their designs withstand the elements. Once an aircraft or a vehicle is in a hangar, technicians anchor it to the ground, start it up, and monitor its performance as the indoor weather turns bad.

As the holidays get closer, people across the U.S. will catch a flight or hit the road. They’ll gather with family and friends to celebrate. Planes, cars, and trucks will carry the travelers. These machines need to run safely in all kinds of weather. That’s where the McKinley Climatic Laboratory in Florida comes in.

The lab contains six rooms called hangars. The biggest is as tall as a seven-story building. Each hangar makes a different type of weather, from ice storms to scorching heat. Aircraft and vehicle makers bring their products to the lab. There, they see how well their machines hold up under the elements. In a hangar, technicians anchor the aircraft or vehicle to the ground. They start it up and watch what happens as the indoor weather turns bad.

The McKinley lab is operated by the U.S. Air Force. It began weather-testing U.S. Army planes in the 1940s. Private aircraft followed in the 1990s. Every new plane begins as a prototype, or working model—and almost all of them pass through the lab’s doors for testing before taking to the skies.

There’s no thrill quite like having a jet engine fire up inside the lab, says William Higdon, an engineer at McKinley. “When the test crews turn the engines on to full power, you can feel the rumble in your chest from 50 feet away.”

The U.S. Air Force runs the McKinley lab. It began weather-testing U.S. Army planes in the 1940s. Private aircraft followed in the 1990s. Every new plane begins as a prototype, or working model. Almost all of them come into the lab for testing. Then they can take to the skies.

Having a jet engine fire up inside the lab is a thrill, says William Higdon. He’s an engineer at McKinley. “When the test crews turn the engines on to full power, you can feel the rumble in your chest from 50 feet away.”

Along with several hundred types of aircraft, the lab has also subjected many road vehicles to its punishing conditions. A motley mix of other products, like tires, engines, power generators, and military and communications equipment, have been tested there too.

Lab engineers can whip up blistering heat using powerful heat lamps. Steam vents can crank up moisture in the air, creating sweltering humidity or dense fog. A giant sprinkler system can dump 600,000 gallons of rain per hour.

The lab has tested several hundred types of aircraft. It’s also put many road vehicles through its punishing conditions. Many other products have been tested there too. They include tires, engines, power generators, and military and communications equipment.

Lab engineers can use powerful heat lamps to create blazing heat. Steam vents can crank up moisture in the air. They can form humidity or dense fog. A giant sprinkler system can dump 600,000 gallons of rain per hour.

To create ice storms and whiteout blizzards, engineers rely on snow machines like the ones used at ski resorts and a giant cooling system. It has the power of 3,000 home air conditioners. Since temperatures inside the lab can be well below freezing—even in the middle of summer—it’s no wonder Higdon keeps a winter coat on hand all year long.

Engineers can create ice storms and whiteout blizzards. They use snow machines like the ones at ski resorts. They also use a giant cooling system. It has the power of 3,000 home air conditioners. The temperatures inside the lab can be well below freezing, even in the middle of summer. So it’s no wonder Higdon keeps a winter coat around all year long.