enviscope is a partner within the project In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS). 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 only. 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 20-year 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. Optional Package 2 instruments are designed as different add-ons in order to measure NOx, NOy, aerosols, or 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 (NOy) and 2b (NOx) have been developed in close cooperation with the scientists of Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). The engineers of enviscope developed the instrument frame, assisted to integrate the analysers inside the frame and helped to fulfill the requirements for airworthiness qualification and certification. These two Packages have been certified by Deutsche Lufthansa for use on the Lufthansa aircraft D-AIGT.
Within the EU-funded project phase IAGOS-ERI two additional instruments were developed: Package 2c measures aerosols and Package 2d is a greenhouse gas analyzer. In addition the Packages 2a and 2b have been redesigned. During the project phase IAGOS-D, funded by the BMBF, enviscope is working in cooperation with the scientific institutions FZJ and MPI-BGC on the integration of the components and the airworthiness certification. Our partner Gomolzig Aircraft Services (GAS) obtained the necessary EASA approval to become STC holder for IAGOS Package2. Under supervision of GAS Package 2d has obtained its EASA STC certificate and is the first of the Package 2 options that can be installed on all European A330 and A340 with basic IAGOS modfication (Package 1) installed. The first Package2d has been integrated into Lufthansa Aircraft D-AIKO in August 2018.
The next step is to apply for EASA STC for Package2b, the other Package2 options will follow. In addition the transfer of the STC to non-European contries will be applied for at the foreign aviation authorities. Furthermore, enviscope is assisting in the development of an additional Package2 option (Package 2e) and in the evolution of the Package1 units BCP and ICH.
Another challenging task of enviscope within the project IAGOS is the development of an organizational structure to guarantee the continuous airworthiness 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 the European aviation authoritiy EASA. Our partner company Gomolzig Aircraft Services (GAS) holds EASA 21J, 21G and 145 approvals for design, production and maintenance of IAGOS 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 production and maintenance procedure continuously. enviscope acts as IAGOS Maintenance Center (IMC) and distributes all IAGOS instruments and spare parts to several airlines for operation. Units removed from an aircraft are forwarded to the responsible research institutes. After maintenance, the maintenance work is checked under the authority of GAS and released to service with an EASA-Form 1 certificate. The maintained units will be stored at the IMC to be distributed to an airline. A project planning tool is used to visualize routine replacements of IAGOS instruments or the refill of supply cylinders/tanks. The status of the operation and maintenance planning is distributed regularly on a website available only for those partners involved in the IAGOS operation and maintenance.The development of the logistical part between enviscope and the airlines has been assisted actively by Lufthansa Technik.
