FAAM stands for Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements. It is a research facility that specializes in conducting atmospheric measurements using a range of instruments on board research aircraft. The facility is operated by the Met Office, which is the national weather service for the United Kingdom.
The primary purpose of FAAM is to collect high-quality atmospheric data in order to advance our understanding of weather systems, climate change, and other atmospheric phenomena. The facility provides an invaluable resource for scientists, researchers, and meteorologists who rely on accurate and precise measurements to improve weather forecasting, climate modeling, and environmental studies.
FAAM operates a state-of-the-art aircraft, known as the BAe 146, which is equipped with a wide array of sophisticated instruments. These instruments include sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, aerosol particles, atmospheric gases, and many other atmospheric parameters. The FAAM aircraft is also capable of collecting samples of air for laboratory analysis.
The data collected by FAAM is used to complement observations from ground-based weather stations and satellites. The facility plays an important role in understanding atmospheric processes and their impact on weather and climate. By providing comprehensive and accurate measurements, FAAM contributes to the development of more accurate weather forecasts, improved climate models, and a better understanding of the Earth's changing climate.
