Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements

Useful quick links:

See the Help on NetCDF page for a list of downloadable software packages to write, read and handle NetCDF files.

The FAAM data archive is HERE.

– However, see the "Access to data" section below if you want to access the FAAM data for the first time. –

For details of FAAM Campaigns and to apply for access please click HERE

Introduction

The FAAM (Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements) puts at the scientists' disposal a large atmospheric research aircraft (the BAE-146-301 aircraft) through a scheme of project selection and combined funding. It is run jointly by NERC and by the UK Met Office, and is one of the NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science (NCAS). The BADC is the FAAM designated data centre.

Description of available data

To find out about core and non-core data, please refer to the brief description of the different types of FAAM data.
The FAAM flights schedule gives an overview of the past campaigns and test flights and the archive population table shows which files are present for each flight.

Access to data, documentation and software

Conditions of access
Data is collected on a project-by-project basis and may be subject to specific access conditions/restrictions. For details and to apply for access to FAAM data, please click here.
Where to find the data
Data, documentation and software supplied to the BADC by the FAAM and project teams are stored in the BADC FAAM archive, from where they can be viewed and downloaded. Most processed core data and some non-core data are of public access.

Data format and Filenames

• FAAM processed core data are stored in NetCDF. Processed non-core data are stored in NetCDF, NASA Ames or ICARTT formats. Raw core data are stored in zipped VMS files. Some software to read, manipulate and convert these formats into each other are provided by the BADC (see "Documentation and Tools" section below) or other agencies (see "Links" section below).

• File names follow the FAAM File Name Convention.

In Summer 2007 a new linux-based processing system was introduced for the core processed data. In this new system new descriptive names are used for the core and core-cloud-physics variables replacing the old PARAxxxx style names.

Instructions to data providers

Data file names. Data providers are kindly requested to follow the FAAM File Name Convention.
Data file format. Please format your processed data in NetCDF, using the CF metadata conventions. NASA Ames formatted files will also be accepted for non-core data. Raw data are submitted in the specific instrument output format. Please ensure that adequate documentation is submitted with the data.
Data file submission.

• Core data from field campaigns and all data from test flights (submission restricted to FAAM instrument operators): please follow the instructions displayed on the FAAM Data Submission page.

• Non-core data from field campaigns: via the web uploader of the relevant project. Large amounts of files can also be submitted by ftp.

Documentation and Tools

Description of available tables showing archive contents. Tables 1-3 below.
1. Tables showing archive contents arranged by flight number/date and by campaign with links to the archive. now showing presence of dropsonde and video data and details of non-core files.
2. FAAM Flight Schedule - Calendar of past FAAM flights based on the data archived - Updated daily.
3. Tables showing which core parameters were measured for each flight.
List of FAAM campaigns, with links to the relevant BADC web pages and specific data access conditions.
Instrument metadata: measured parameters and instrument specifications.
general access rules
Application for Access to FAAM data.
FAAM Data Protocol.
FAAM Conditions of Use applying to FAAM core data.
Metadata definitions and requirements.
NetCDF format and CF metadata conventions.
This page includes a list of links to Downloadable NetCDF handling tools .
NASA Ames format.
FAAM Data File Names.
Instructions on FAAM Data Submission applying to core and test flight data.
TARDIS – Met Office software to process raw core data on VMS computers.
Routines provided by Jonathan Crosier (University of Manchester) to read NetCDF files with IGOR are stored in the BADC FAAM software archive.

Services

An private online storage space, accessible by FTP, has been created for the scientists involved in FAAM test flights. Application to the FAAM Test Flights storage space is done via a web form. Your application will be submitted for approval to the the FAAM Manager.
A specifically dedicated FAAM-Chemistry project space for exchanging information about the new FAAM NOx data processing has been set up.
To gain access the FTP FAAAM-Chemistry project-space you will need to be registered with BADC (See 1 above) and
- apply to the FAAM-Chemistry FTP project space and be authorised by the project management team.
The workspace can then be accessed by FTP to ftp.badc.rl.ac.uk directory project_spaces/faam-chemistry_ps.
For help with FTP see the BADC FTP guide. Access to view and download files may be obtained via your web browser using the URL ftp://username@ftp.badc.rl.ac.uk (you will be prompted for your password) however to upload files you will need an FTP client.
NetCDF file checker
Data file uploader

Links to further or related information

The Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) Web site – BAe-146-301 aircraft
The joint NERC-DLR Airborne Remote Sensing Facility (ARSF) – Dornier 228-101 aircraft (Do-228) li>The UK Met Office Research Flight (MRF) Welcome Page at BADC – C-130 Hercules aircraft
Software for Manipulating or Displaying NetCDF Data. A fairly complete list of existing freely available and commercial or licensed software packages to write, read and handle NetCDF files, provided by Unidata.
Igor software to read NetCDF files. See also routines provided by Jonathan Crosier (University of Manchester) in the BADC FAAM software archive.
Downloadable AEROS software to read NetCDF files (includes a version for Linux and a version for Windows).
World Air news article about FAAM