The Austrian Aircraft Manufacturer Is Active In Air Monitoring

Diamond Aircraft, in conjunction with the Austrian environmental monitoring company MLU, has equipped a DA42 with MLU's "Airpointer sensor for the purpose of assisting in monitoring ash concentrations from the erupting Icelandic volcano. The project is designed to measure ash concentrations in Europe at altitudes between 1,500 and 18,000 feet. By determining wind speed and wind direction, it is possible to predict exact forecasts for international airports.

Ash in higher concentrations that are ingested by a jet engine can become molten, which in turn may result in an engine failure. Diamond’s turbo-charged aircraft do not have problems under such conditions due to its low combustion temperatures and air filters.

The first tests are showing huge differences of particle concentration: for instance, there is a 150 times higher concentration over Vienna than over the Semmering, a mountain pass near Vienna.

Diamond says it is able to provide several additional measurement aircraft within a few days.

FMI: www.diamond-air.at