References

AMT

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques

AMT

Atmos. Meas. Tech.

1867-8548

Copernicus Publications

Göttingen, Germany

10.5194/amt-4-705-2011

Meteorological profiling of the lower troposphere using the research UAV "M2AV Carolo"

Martin

¹ Bange

² Beyrich

Institute of Aerospace Systems, Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Str. 23, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany

Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Sigwartstr. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

Meteorological Observatory Lindenberg – Richard-Aßmann-Observatory, German Meteorological Service, Am Observatorium 12, 15848 Tauche OT Lindenberg, Germany

08 04 2011

4 4 705 716

2011

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Vertical profiles of temperature, humidity and wind up to a height of 1500 m a.g.l. (above ground level) were measured with the automatically operating small unmanned research aircraft M2AV (Meteorological Mini Aerial Vehicle) during the LITFASS-2009 LIndenberg-To-Falkenberg: Aircraft, Scintillometer and large-eddy Simulation) experiment. The campaign took place in July 2009 over the heterogeneous landscape around the Meteorological Observatory Lindenberg – Richard-Aßmann-Observatory in the eastern part of Germany. Due to a high vertical resolution of about 10 cm the M2AV data show details of the turbulent structure of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). One profile took about 10–15 min allowing for a continuous monitoring of certain phases of ABL development by successive ascents and descents during one flight (50–60 min duration). Two case studies of measurements performed during the morning and evening ABL transition periods are discussed in detail. Comparison of the aircraft-based temperature, humidity and wind profiles with tower, sodar/RASS, wind profiler/RASS, radiosoundings and microwave radiometer profiler measurements show good agreement taking into account the different sampling strategies of these measurement systems.

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