enviscope GmbH

IAGOS

enviscope is a partner within the EC (FP7) funded project In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System. The IAGOS-project aims to determine the atmospheric composition by measurements of trace gases, aerosols and cloud particles on board of a fleet of 10-20 long range aircraft. Using commercial in-service aircraft allows global coverage of in-situ measurements that could not be achieved by research aircraft. The IAGOS project is focused on the establishment of a European Research Infrastructure (ERI), aiming to provide a comprehensive data base for users in science and policy.

Based on the experience of MOZAIC the follow up project IAGOS provides a more comprehensive set of data. Beside the permanent installation of basic instruments (Package 1 comprising T, rH, CO, O₃, and cloud particles) additional more sophisticated measurements are needed. Additional Package 2 instruments consist of different options for NO_x, NO_y, aerosols, and greenhouse gases.

During the design study (IAGOS-DS) enviscope was involved in the integration of NO measurements into the scope of IAGOS. The Packages 2a (NO_y) and 2b (NO_x) have been developed in close cooperation with the scientists of Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). The engineers of enviscope developed the instrument frame (Figure 1), assisted to integrate the analysers inside the frame and helped to fulfill the requirements for airworthiness qualification and certification. 

Within IAGOS-ERI two additional instruments are under development: Package 2c measures aerosols and Package 2d is a greenhouse gas analyzer. enviscope is working in cooperation with the scientific institutions DLR, FZJ and MPI-BGC on the integration of the components and the airworthiness certification.

Another challenging task of enviscope within the project IAGOS-ERI is the development of an organizational structure for the continuous maintenance of the instruments. Considering that numerous high sophisticated research instruments need to be operated on aircraft from different internationally operating airlines in the highly security-controlled environment of civil aviation this comprises a complex task. All procedures need to follow airworthiness QA/QC standards under the control of aviation authorities EASA and LBA.  Our partner company Gomozig Flugzeug- und Maschinenbau (GFM) holds EASA 21G and 145 approvals for production and maintenance of aircraft parts and implemented the IAGOS packages to their scope of work.

The logistics of IAGOS instruments is managed at enviscope by reserving storage and office room and by the administration of a data base that documents each maintenance procedure continuously. enviscope acts as Maintenance Center and distributes IAGOS instruments to several airlines for operation. Instruments (Package1 and several Package2 options) removed from an aircraft are sent to the responsible research institutes. After maintenance, the instruments are sent to GFM or another maintenance organization (MO) that releases them to service with an EASA-Form 1 certificate. The maintained instruments will be stored at the Maintenance Center to be distributed to an airline (Figure 2). The development of the logistical part between enviscope and the airlines has been assisted actively by Lufthansa Technik.

 

A project planning tool is used to visualize routine replacements of IAGOS instruments or the refill of supply cylinders/tanks. In addition the reliability of the operating instruments is observed and visualized. The status of the operation and maintenance planning is distributed regularly on a website available only for those partners who are involved in the maintenance. All procedures within this maintenance system are visualized in organization charts that show each step and decision that has to be made during a maintenance procedure.

Publications

Maintenance requirements for a global distributed research infrastructure, Poster at International Conference on Airborne Research for the Environment (ICARE), October 25-31 2010, Toulouse, France