Safire's plane

Installation of continental surface observation equipment on board the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit…

Rear view of the Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. Four atmospheric microphysics sensors are positioned under the wings. Under the fuselage, just left of centre, the dropsonde release chute is visible. Released from the plane during flight, these dropsondes have a parachute and carry pressure, temperature and humidity sensors. They are used to obtain vertical profiles of the atmosphere beneath the plane at various points of their trajectory. The Falcon 20…

The ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, landing at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport, seen from the control tower. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It…

The Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, landing at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport, seen from the control tower. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of scientific research as part…

Scientific instrumentation on the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. At the top is the FSSP 100, an instrument that measures the distribution of cloud droplets using the light scattered from a laser beam. In the middle, the reverse-flow probe protects the sensor from the impact of water droplets when passing through clouds. At the bottom, a Rosemount antenna measures the air temperature. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific…

Microphysics sensor, referred to as PCASP, part of the scientific instrumentation on the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. This sensor uses a laser beam to characterise atmospheric aerosols. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic…

Dummy microphysics measurement instrument installed on the Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. It is designed to comply with certification restrictions when it is necessary to fly without the instrument. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite…

Anemometric boom on the front of the Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. It can measure, at a high rate, the wind speed relative to the plane in three dimensions via its five-hole probe. The device is used to collect data on atmospheric turbulence. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic…

FSSP 300 instrument on the Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The FSSP 300 is an instrument that measures the distribution of cloud droplets using the light scattered from a laser beam. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and…

Static dischargers (wicks) on the Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. They help remove the electrostatic charge that builds up on the plane during the flight. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses…

Static dischargers (wicks) on the Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. They help remove the electrostatic charge that builds up on the plane during the flight. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses…

Service team member from Safire, the French facility for airborne research, putting the front protective covers on the ATR 42. On the ground, sleeves are used to protect the sensitive instruments on the plane, such as the measurement probes. They have to be removed before each flight. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing,…

View of the ATR 42 and Falcon 20 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, on the tarmac at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry…

The ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, taxiing on the tarmac at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for…

In-flight view, in front of the Pyrenees, of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit…

View of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, on the tarmac at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for…

Scientific instrumentation on the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. At the top, a mast carries a dummy microphysics measurement instrument that has been designed to comply with certification restrictions when it is necessary to fly without the instrument. Lower down, there is an isokinetic sampler that collects external air to supply chemical measurement or aerosol characterisation instruments. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for…

Tail unit of the Falcon 20 and, in the background, the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Falcon 20 is a plane used for multidisciplinary research in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, in areas such as remote sensing, chemistry and microphysics. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of scientific research as part of experimental…

Interior view of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, during a scientific flight. The scientists and test engineers are monitoring the measurement processes at IT workstations using software that traces the trajectory of the plane and the evolution curves of values, among other things. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to…

Interior view of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, during a scientific flight. The scientists and test engineers are monitoring the measurement processes at IT workstations using software that traces the trajectory of the plane and the evolution curves of values, among other things. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to…

Cockpit of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, during a scientific flight. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of…

Cockpit of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, during a scientific flight. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of…

Cockpit of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of scientific research as part of experimental…

Installation of continental surface observation equipment on board the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit…

Installation of continental surface observation equipment on board the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit…

Installation of continental surface observation equipment under the fuselage of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes…

Installation of continental surface observation equipment under the fuselage of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes…

Installation of continental surface observation equipment under the fuselage of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes…

Engineer working on the nose boom of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. Measuring 1.30 m, the boom is heated so it can take measurements in freezing atmospheric conditions. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research,…

Engineer working on the nose boom of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. Measuring 1.30 m, the boom is heated so it can take measurements in freezing atmospheric conditions. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research,…

Engineer working on the nose boom of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. Measuring 1.30 m, the boom is heated so it can take measurements in freezing atmospheric conditions. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research,…

Installation of the electrical connection to the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, by the head of air operations, who is also one of the three pilots at Safire. Once the plane is connected, scientific experiments will be performed. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a…

Installation of the electrical connection to the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, by the head of air operations, who is also one of the three pilots at Safire. Once the plane is connected, scientific experiments will be performed. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a…

Service personnel from Safire, the French facility for airborne research, closing the hangar doors at the Toulouse-Francazal airport. The ATR 42 is inside. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical…

Pilot using the engine throttle in the cockpit of the Piper Aztec belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. The Piper Aztec is an unpressurised twin-engine piston plane. It is used for taking measurements in the lower troposphere, including measurements relating to urban pollution, air chemistry, turbulence and wind. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of…

Technician from Safire, the French facility for airborne research, working on one of the radiation sensors on top of the ATR 42. There are also sensors beneath the plane to measure upward radiation. The two measurements make it possible to obtain the net flows at various wavelengths. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics…

Instrumentation technician from Safire, the French facility for airborne research, working on one of the radiation sensors on top of the ATR 42. There are also sensors beneath the plane to measure upward radiation. The two measurements make it possible to obtain the net flows at various wavelengths. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote…

Technical racks inside the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. They hold the IT and instrumentation equipment required for in-flight measurements. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite…

Technical racks inside the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. They hold the IT and instrumentation equipment required for in-flight measurements. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite…

Cockpit of the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research, during a scientific flight. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite validation and aeronautical development. It uses planes for the benefit of…

Technical racks inside the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. They hold the IT and instrumentation equipment required for in-flight measurements. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite…

Technical racks inside the ATR 42 belonging to Safire, the French facility for airborne research. They hold the IT and instrumentation equipment required for in-flight measurements. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing, microphysics and turbulence. Safire is a unit dedicated to climatic and environmental research, satellite…

Service team member from Safire, the French facility for airborne research, putting the front protective covers on the ATR 42. On the ground, sleeves are used to protect the sensitive instruments on the plane, such as the measurement probes. They have to be removed before each flight. The ATR 42 is a plane that has been specially modified for scientific use. It is perfect for taking measurements in the middle troposphere, including measurements relating to chemistry, remote sensing,…