Courtesy of Katie Beem

From: Katie Beem
Arica, Chile, November 8, 2008

Where Are the Windows?

I really wish I had a window on the C-130 airplane. As you can see, the cabin of the C-130 is very different from most airplanes you have probably seen. There are far fewer seats and there are racks of instruments in places where there are usually seats on passenger airplanes. Also, there are almost no windows.

I sit in the last row on the left side where the laptop is pulled out. It is an aside seat so I wouldn't have a great view even if there were more windows. Unlike a commercial aircraft, we do get to get up and walk around so I can go look out the windows in the rear doors or I can even go to the cockpit. I know photos have been posted from both locations in other postcards.

I really like to get up and look out the windows because the clouds and ocean seem to look different every flight. The clouds are pretty amazing - they take on new textures, colors, and shapes during every flight. The ocean looks different because of changes in the surface winds, On days with no wind, the ocean looks very peaceful. On days when the surface winds are stronger, there are breaking white capped waves.

Postcards from the Field: Climate Science from the Southeast Pacific

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