Description
Fitted with special sensors, the jet joins eight other aircraft from around the world.
On May 17th, Air Canada announced that it would fit one of its Airbus A330-300s with special diagnostics sensors as part of a partnership with a climate research organization. Among other things, the jet and its newly fitted sensors will measure greenhouse gases to understand climate change better.
Joining the IAGOS fleet
Air Canada has now joined eight other aircraft as part of IAGOS - or In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System. This 'fleet' of aircraft are fitted with special sensors to measure air quality and composition. The airlines currently flying as part of the IAGOS program are as follows:
- Air France (A330-300)
- Eurowings Discover (A330-300)
- Hawaiian Airlines (A330-200)
- China Airlines (Two A330-300s)
- Cathay Pacific (A330-300)
- Lufthansa (Two A340-300s)
While Air Canada's Airbus A330 is the newest member of the program, it is listed as starting on April 20th.
"As a leading global airline, we are proud to partner with IAGOS to advance their important climate research work...The information gathered will also help provide more accurate weather data crucial for airline operations, and will enable a more in-depth understanding of changing weather dynamics," -Valerie Durand, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability, Air Canada
Jean-Marie Flaud, President of IAGOS-AISB, adds that Air Canada will provide important new data, particularly regarding understanding climate change issues in northern regions, which she highlights are warming more than twice as fast as elsewhere. "Tracking wildfire smoke plumes across the continent to improve forecasts of air-quality," will be another potential use for the jet.
Get all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying.
One-month of operations
Having begun its role with IAGOS on April 20th, a statement from Air Canada notes that results are already coming in. Dr. Hannah Clark, Executive Secretary for IAGOS-AISBL, states that after just a few days in operation, the aircraft has "already detected exceptional levels of carbon monoxide over eastern Canada emanating from the intense wildfires in Alberta." Clark adds that scientists will use this data to understand the impact of events like this on the atmosphere and climate.
The specific aircraft Air Canada has offered up is an Airbus A330-300 registered C-GEFA with fleet number 939 and MSN 997. This airframe is a little over 14 years of age and joined Air Canada in 2019. After assembly, the aircraft first joined Singapore Airlines as 9V-STD in 2009. It then went to TAP Air Portugal as CS-TOU in 2017.
The device fitted onto C-GEFA measures a range of parameters during various stages of flight, including:
- Ozone
- Water vapor
- Greenhouse gases
- Reactive gases
- Aerosols
- Clouds
Why Airbus widebodies only?
You may have noticed from the list of airlines and aircraft above that only Airbus A330s and A340s are part of the IAGOS program. That's because these are the only two aircraft types approved for the IAGOS systems.
Considering the fact that IAGOS is based in Belgium and works closely with the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) research center in Toulouse, France, it would make sense that the organization has chosen to work with Airbus first.
The IAGOS device is noted to be a "compact system" which features measuring probes that are permanently installed on the aircraft near the flight deck. At the end of each flight, the data collected is automatically transmitted to the central database of the CNRS.
Did you know about IAGOS and its fleet of participating Airbus jets? What do you think of this initiative? Let us know by leaving a comment.
| Period | 19 May 2023 |
|---|
Media coverage
Media coverage
Title Air Canada & IAGOS Team Up To Research Climate Change & Air Quality With An Airbus A330 Degree of recognition International Media name/outlet Simple Flying Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 19/05/23 Description Air Canada & IAGOS Team Up To Research Climate Change & Air Quality With An Airbus A330
By
Chris Loh
Published May 19, 2023
Fitted with special sensors, the jet joins eight other aircraft from around the world.
A330-300 air canada
Photo: Air Canada
On May 17th, Air Canada announced that it would fit one of its Airbus A330-300s with special diagnostics sensors as part of a partnership with a climate research organization. Among other things, the jet and its newly fitted sensors will measure greenhouse gases to understand climate change better.
Joining the IAGOS fleet
Air Canada has now joined eight other aircraft as part of IAGOS - or In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System. This 'fleet' of aircraft are fitted with special sensors to measure air quality and composition. The airlines currently flying as part of the IAGOS program are as follows:
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Air France (A330-300)
Eurowings Discover (A330-300)
Hawaiian Airlines (A330-200)
China Airlines (Two A330-300s)
Cathay Pacific (A330-300)
Lufthansa (Two A340-300s)
While Air Canada's Airbus A330 is the newest member of the program, it is listed as starting on April 20th.
"As a leading global airline, we are proud to partner with IAGOS to advance their important climate research work...The information gathered will also help provide more accurate weather data crucial for airline operations, and will enable a more in-depth understanding of changing weather dynamics," -Valerie Durand, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability, Air Canada
A330-300 Air canada
Photo: Air Canada
Jean-Marie Flaud, President of IAGOS-AISB, adds that Air Canada will provide important new data, particularly regarding understanding climate change issues in northern regions, which she highlights are warming more than twice as fast as elsewhere. "Tracking wildfire smoke plumes across the continent to improve forecasts of air-quality," will be another potential use for the jet.
Get all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying.
One-month of operations
Having begun its role with IAGOS on April 20th, a statement from Air Canada notes that results are already coming in. Dr. Hannah Clark, Executive Secretary for IAGOS-AISBL, states that after just a few days in operation, the aircraft has "already detected exceptional levels of carbon monoxide over eastern Canada emanating from the intense wildfires in Alberta." Clark adds that scientists will use this data to understand the impact of events like this on the atmosphere and climate.
The specific aircraft Air Canada has offered up is an Airbus A330-300 registered C-GEFA with fleet number 939 and MSN 997. This airframe is a little over 14 years of age and joined Air Canada in 2019. After assembly, the aircraft first joined Singapore Airlines as 9V-STD in 2009. It then went to TAP Air Portugal as CS-TOU in 2017.
The device fitted onto C-GEFA measures a range of parameters during various stages of flight, including:
Ozone
Water vapor
Greenhouse gases
Reactive gases
Aerosols
Clouds
Why Airbus widebodies only?
You may have noticed from the list of airlines and aircraft above that only Airbus A330s and A340s are part of the IAGOS program. That's because these are the only two aircraft types approved for the IAGOS systems.
Considering the fact that IAGOS is based in Belgium and works closely with the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) research center in Toulouse, France, it would make sense that the organization has chosen to work with Airbus first.
Airbus A330 Air Canada
Photo: Air Canada
The IAGOS device is noted to be a "compact system" which features measuring probes that are permanently installed on the aircraft near the flight deck. At the end of each flight, the data collected is automatically transmitted to the central database of the CNRS.
Did you know about IAGOS and its fleet of participating Airbus jets? What do you think of this initiative? Let us know by leaving a comment.Producer/Author Simple Flying Chris Loh URL https://simpleflying.com/air-canada-iagos-airbus-a330-research-partnership/?newsletter_popup=1 Persons Martin Gallagher