I am the person who posted the question. First of all you guys are extremely knowlegeable about the topic and secondly - you are a riot. Funny stuff. Thanks for the info, I will take a little literary license and have two pilots fly the plane. As for why I am writing an novel that includes something I know nothing about -- its needed to make the story work. Its about a wealthy businessman who develops a substance that weakens hurricanes when dropped along the eyewall of a storm. It makes for some good action scenes as he flies through the hurricane, which is why I chose the C-130 since I understand it is/was used by the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the Air Force Reserves to monitor the storms. The working title is "Eyewall" and I hope to complete the novel by the end of the year. If you want to read the work in process just google "Julio Pinera Eyewall" and tell me what you think. When I am done I will have someone with some flying knowledge give it a read for reasonableness (like a techincal advisor). Thanks again, I hope you will let me come back from time to time and ask some questions. Regards Julio