Guide to Aircraft-based Observations 2017 edition WEATHER CLIMATE WATER CLIMATE WEATHER WMO-No. 1200 Guide to Aircraft-based Observations 2017 edition WMO-No. 1200 EDITORIAL NOTE METEOTERM, the WMO terminology database, may be consulted at http://public.wmo.int/en/ resources/meteoterm. Readers who copy hyperlinks by selecting them in the text should be aware that additional spaces may appear immediately following http://, https://, ftp://, mailto:, and after slashes (/), dashes (-), periods (.) and unbroken sequences of characters (letters and numbers). These spaces should be removed from the pasted URL. The correct URL is displayed when hovering over the link or when clicking on the link and then copying it from the browser. WMO-No. 1200 © World Meteorological Organization, 2017 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form and in any language is reserved by WMO. 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The mention of specific companies or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WMO in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. PUBLICATION REVISION TRACK RECORD Part/ Date chapter/ Purpose of amendment Proposed by Approved by section CONTENTS Page 1. AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONS ............................................. 1 1.1 Introduction .......................................................... 1 1.2 History and background ................................................ 1 1.3 Description of aircraft-based observations guidance ........................ 2 1.4 Benefits of aircraft-based observations .................................... 3 1.5 Requirements ......................................................... 4 1.5.1 Requirements for upper air data ................................ 4 1.5.2 Requirements for aircraft-based observations ..................... 4 1.6 Sources of aircraft-based observations .................................... 5 1.6.1 WMO aircraft-based observations .............................. 6 1.6.2 International Civil Aviation Organization aircraft-based observations . 9 1.6.3 Other aircraft-based observations. 12 1.7 Observational data management ........................................ 13 1.8 Quality management. 16 1.8.1 Member quality management system ........................... 16 1.8.2 Aircraft-based observations quality management .................. 16 1.9 Provision of Aircraft-based observations to the WMO Information System ...... 18 1.10 Observational metadata requirements and management .................... 19 1.11 Operations, maintenance, and management of incident and change .......... 19 1.12 International and regional planning and capacity development .............. 20 1.12.1 WMO Aircraft-based Observations Programme ................... 20 1.12.2 Projects and development ..................................... 21 1.12.3 Training and outreach. 22 2. AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVING SYSTEMS ....................................... 23 2.1 Aircraft meteorological data relay observing system development and operation. 23 2.1.1 Requirements and planning. 23 2.1.2 Design and implementation of the aircraft meteorological data relay system ............................................. 30 2.1.3 Operations .................................................. 36 2.1.4 Capacity development and outreach ............................ 43 2.2 International Civil Aviation Organization aircraft-based observations systems. 44 2.2.1 Automatic dependent surveillance – contract (future air navigation system 1/A). 45 2.2.2 Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast .................... 46 2.2.3 Secondary surveillance radar Mode-S. 46 2.3 Other aircraft-based observations systems ................................. 49 2.3.1 Introduction. 49 2.3.2 Tropospheric airborne meteorological data reporting .............. 49 2.3.3 Automated flight information reporting system ................... 50 2.3.4 In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System programme ....... 51 2.3.5 Civil Aircraft for the Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container project ........................ 51 APPENDIX A. GUIDANCE ON QUALITY CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONS .. 52 APPENDIX B. GUIDANCE ON QUALITY MONITORING OF AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONS .................................................................. 58 APPENDIX C. GUIDANCE ON ENCODING OF AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONAL DATA FOR TRANSMISSION ON THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM ..................... 70 APPENDIX D. GUIDANCE ON AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONS METADATA MAINTENANCE AND PROVISION ..................................................................... 97 APPENDIX E. GUIDANCE ON AIRCRAFT METEOROLOGICAL DATA RELAY OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA OPTIMIZATION ......................................... 112 vi CONTENTS APPENDIX F. GUIDANCE ON AIRCRAFT METEOROLOGICAL DATA RELAY ONBOARD SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ............................................. 122 APPENDIX G. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR HOSTING A WMO REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON AIRCRAFT METEOROLOGICAL DATA RELAY ................ 129 APPENDIX H. LIST OF AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONS AND AIRCRAFT METEOROLOGICAL DATA RELAY TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS AND REFERENCES ............................................................... 130 1. AIRCRAFT-BASED OBSERVATIONS 1.1 Introduction In the context of this Guide, aircraft-based observations (ABO) are defined as a set of measurements of one or more meteorological variables, along with the required observational metadata, made at a particular time or according to a defined schedule at a location or series of locations in three-dimensional space from an aircraft platform (aircraft meteorological station). Such observations might be made or obtained from commercial passenger, military, private business, remotely piloted or other aircraft, utilizing either existing or purpose-deployed sensors, systems and/or avionics software. Ideally and whenever possible, ABO should be made to best meet or contribute to meeting meteorological requirements for upper-air data, as defined in section 1.5.1. The thousands of aircraft flying every day offer an efficient and cost-effective way to gather meteorological information. In the case of the majority of modern aircraft, the aircraft’s sensors, while flying, measure air temperature, wind speed and direction, air pressure and other variables of the atmosphere, as this information is necessary for the aircraft’s navigation systems and to monitor aircraft performance. While these data are used as input to a range of on-board applications supporting flight operation, they are also often automatically transmitted over the aircraft communications system to the airline for performance monitoring by the operator’s technical division. In the case of the aircraft meteorological data relay (AMDAR) observing system, the meteorologically relevant information can be accessed by a specific software package (AMDAR on-board software (AOS)) for the production of ABO. In some cases where a sensor or an appropriate communication system is unavailable (for example, for the measurement of water vapour and humidity), the installation of equipment from commercial manufacturers, including additional sensors and communications facilities, may be required. However, the WMO AMDAR observing system relies predominantly on the innate aircraft sensors, avionics and communications systems. Collaboration and cooperation between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and meteorological service providers, airlines and the aviation industry for the provision of ABO will result in significant positive benefits to the meteorological community, the air transport industry and aeronautical agencies – see section 1.4. In addition to ABO provided by the WMO AMDAR observing system, there are several other sources of ABO that Members should endeavour to obtain, maintain and provide, including those made available by commercial airlines acting in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national air traffic management (ATM) regulations and guidance. In this Guide, the words “shall” and “should” are intended to have their literal meaning in English and not to imply or indicate regulatory status for WMO Members. In general, the Guide provides recommended practices and procedures only, unless directly referencing provisions from other WMO Technical Regulations as indicated. 1.2 History and background The use of the aircraft platform as a meteorological observing system dates back to the late 1910s when so-called “meteographs” were mounted to the wings of early military biplanes. A meteograph made recordings of air pressure, temperature and humidity. The data were used for tracking