IAGOS

A Commercial Aircraft Network for Climate Monitoring

IAGOS (In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System) is a European Research Infrastructure (ESFRI Roadmap 2006). The infrastructure operates a long-term observation network of

  • atmospheric composition (reactive trace gases and greenhouse gases),
  • aerosols,
  • and cloud particles,

using a fleet of commercial aircraft equipped with instrumentation for routine, in-situ measurements.

IAGOS observations include:

  • measurements of ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), water vapor (H₂O), and total nitrogen oxides (NOy),
  • geo-located measurements (latitude, longitude, and pressure), along with meteorological observations (wind direction and speed, temperature),
  • sequences of observations along international flights, departing from and returning to Europe,
  • automatic data acquisition from takeoff to landing.
  • Observations using the new IAGOS instrumentation (July 2011–present) were initially conducted by a single aircraft (Lufthansa).
  • An implementation plan equipped Air France, China Airlines (Taiwan), Cathay Pacific, and Iberia between 2012 and 2013.
  • Measurements include ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), water vapor (H₂O), and cloud hydrometeors (number and size of water droplets).
  • Additional measurements may include nitrogen oxides (NOx), greenhouse gases (CO₂ and CH₄), or aerosols, depending on the aircraft options.

Since July 2011, the first IAGOS-equipped aircraft has been flying with the option to measure nitrogen oxides (NOx).

IAGOS at LAERO

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