AIRCRAFT
RESEARCH
The measurement of wind and turbulence
with aircrafts is a reality since few
decades for scientific and meteorological
research application bound with atmospheric
studies.
Since few years ago large aircrafts were
needed to carry on instrumentations of
considerable dimensions and complexity,
besides the staff dedicated to their use.
With the coming of the new generation
of low cost, low consumption and fast
response sensors it is now possible to
use small aircrafts. The advantage is
of course a limited cost the possibility
to fly at low altitude and reduced speed
for a higher measurement's precision,
least trouble's effects from the airplane
on the quantity to study. The first aircraft
of this type is been developed since few
years by NOAA ATDD ( National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division).
It makes use of the BAT (Best Atmospheric
Turbulence) probe that was developed in
collaboration by NOAA and ARA
(Airborne Research Australia). In 1999
Iniziative Industriali Italiane, an Italian
Small-Medium Enterprise recognized the
excellent capacities for this kind of
applications of its homemade aircrafts,
the Sky Arrows. The company started the
study and the preparation of a certified
aircraft ( JAR VLA) equipped with
the NOAA/ARA sensors. The first Sky Arrow
ERA ( Environment Research Aircraft)
is now used by the San Diego University
(USA), Global Change Research Group (SDSU)
under the guidance of Prof. Walt Oechel.
This group is making airborne flux measurements
in the artic regions of North Alaska.
The first effect of global warming are
already appreciable in the artic region
where changes in temperature are causing
environmental changes in carbon stocks
and fluxes. The experience of USDS
is been of fundamental importance for
CO2 flux measurements between biosphere
and atmosphere, and the Sky Arrow represents
a major advancement in the technology.
Capacity for airborne flux measurements
and airborne eddy correlation measurements
is now also available in Europe. IBIMET
has promoted the introduction of this
technology in European research and is
now participating in the EU-RECAB
project that is part of the CarboEurope
initiative and is focusing its attention
on the Regional assessment and modelling
of the Carbon Balance within Europe. The
RECAB project funded the construction
of a second Sky Arrows ERA that
is now operating at several sites within
Europe (Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden,
France and Italy). The University of Lund
(Sweden) owns the RECAB Sky Arrows ERA
and will continue airborne flux measurements
after the end of the RECAB Project |
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