Test and intercomparison of water, aerosol, cloud droplet, ice particle, and ice nuclei instruments for the HALO aircraft using the AIDA facility (AIDA-HALO)

• Applicant: Dr. Ottmar Möhler
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: from 2007 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 47366677

The proposal suggests continuing the successful series of pre-flight instrument test campaigns using the AIDA (Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere) facility of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The AIDA aerosol and cloud chamber is unique in regard of its temperature, pressure, and humidity range, volume, and the comprehensive trace gas and aerosol instrumentation. The experimental conditions cover the full range of water mixing ratios and relative humidity of the atmosphere reached by the HALO aircraft. The different instruments are calibrated and compared to each other and their response to pressure changes during typical aircraft ascents and descents is tested. The first four AIDAHALO campaigns with the participation of 18 different HALO instruments proved to be a good opportunity for instrument developers for employing and testing their instruments at various operating and sampling conditions. All partners have expressed their interest in and the need for more instrument testing opportunities at the AIDA facility. The work program of the second funding period will encompass (1) a new series of HALO instrument test campaigns which will continue and complement the activities of the first funding period, (2) three international campaigns for testing cloud probes, ice nuclei instruments and water vapour instruments, and (3) two campaigns addressing both instrumental aspects and scientific objectives which will complement the first HALO missions. The AIDA campaigns with the participation of international partners are a key element of the proposal for developing and proving high international quality standards for HALO instrumentation.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1294: Atmospheric and Earth System Research with the "High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft" (HALO)
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Thomas Leisner