Major research issues/sites:

• Measuring atmospheric fluxes of heat, water (evaporation) and greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄)
• Spatial variability of surface fluxes
• Boundary layer profiling

Short technical description:

• Fully certified aircraft (pilot + passenger): range 300-400km, typical altitude for surface fluxes 200ft, ceiling ~6000ft, cruise speed 70knts; payload ~50kg max depending on configuration
• Equipment: turbulence probe, thermocouple, IRGA H₂O/CO₂/CH₄, PAR and net radiometers, infrared thermometer, laser altimeter, IGPS, DAC computer
• Processing and mapping software

Options and conditions for visiting scientists:

Available in joint projects, otherwise available subject to time constraints and operational cost funding

Unit Cost of use and principles of costing:

• Operational costs around €400 per flight hour (fuel, pilot, insurance, airport taxes, etc)
• Scientific/technical preparation planning: €1000 per day, # hrs depending on complexity of operations, special permits, etc
• Post processing: €800 per day, # hrs depending on complexity of dataset (minimum about 4hrs per flying hour)