The SOAR Cheyenne II research aircraft airborne platform for atmospheric research consists of instrumentation that has the capability of measuring in-situ microphysical properties of clouds and their thermodynamic environment, documenting the composition of clouds and diagnosing the physical processes within them. MORE DETAILS http://www.sandylandwater.com/research_aircraft.htm

During the 2002 and 2003 cloud seeding season the Cessna 340 has been the main aircraft of the SOAR program. Both airplanes are equipped to seed at cloud base and cloud top up to a ceiling of 29000 feet. With two 310 horse power engines the Cessna 340 can cruise at 205 miles per hour making it a fast response and versatile cloud seeding aircraft.

During the 2004 cloud seeding season, SOAR will be using single engine aircraft that are equipped to seed at cloud base.