FAAM Airborne Laboratory

We do science in the sky with our modified BAe 146-301 atmospheric research aircraft.

Owned by @NERCscience and @UKRI_news, managed by @AtmosScience.

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Ever wondered what's inside (and outside, and on top of*) our flying science laboratory? Explore our atmospheric research aircraft with a virtual tour!

https://t.co/1CW9P16pSQ

*seriously, you can reach parts of the aircraft that even our scientists can't see in person

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

This does not extend to personal accounts, including personal accounts used for professional purposes.

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Hello everyone - here’s an important update about our presence on X.

The FAAM account on X will remain for now, but we won't be posting anymore.

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

The account will stay open so we can respond to DMs, but you won’t see any new content from us. Instead, we look forward to connecting with you on our other active channels such as Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

[ESA's EarthCARE mission @esa_earthcare]

Coinciding with our first in-orbit validation workshop, EarthCARE underflights have recommenced today!

Here's the journey of today's plane, courtesy of our colleagues @AtmosScience & @faam146 ✈️🗺️

If you're in Skye, look at the sky 😆

[ESA's EarthCARE mission @esa_earthcare]

Research aircraft and EarthCARE track clouds in unison for better weather and climate prediction.

Check out this great piece from @AtmosScience & @faam146

"EarthCARE... a major advancement in our ability to understand Earth’s atmospheric processes"💅

👉https://t.co/VuYwIdOwra

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

We couldn’t deliver world-leading airborne science without this unique aircraft, so we were thrilled to be invited to close out the flying display during the Museum’s centenary celebration!

Thanks to John Lambeth and Graham Davies for these photos.

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Last week we made a “flying” visit to @AvroHeriMuseum to mark 100 years since the site was opened as the production centre for Avro aircraft. Our aircraft was converted for science there in 2004, making it the last aircraft to leave the production line that’s still flying today.

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Every year we host a placement student from @ChemistryatYork. We're very happy to introduce Matt Baker who will be joining us for his placement year. Matt will work with the chemistry team on the suite of atmospheric chemistry instrumentation at the facility ⚗️ 🧪 ☁️

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Last week, we said goodbye to our @ChemistryatYork placement student Irene Monreal Campos after a fantastic year. She worked alongside our chemistry team, while completing her own research project with us. She's heading off to start her PhD in atmospheric chemistry!

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Our @NERCscience research aircraft will soon be using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for flights from our home base at Cranfield Airport ✈️💚

https://t.co/9G4uIv45qh

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

We couldn't do our research without the skills and experience of our incredible team of pilots. There's a lot that goes into airborne science!

[Flightradar24 @flightradar24]

What's it like at the controls of the world's first flying BAE 146... at 50 feet over the sea ice?! We caught up with pilot Finbarre Brennan of @faam146 at RIAT to find out.

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

@GazMcIntyre @flightradar24 Fantastic photo Gary!

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

MSc students at @cranfieldaero recently visited for a tour of our research aircraft. Developing and operating an atmospheric research aircraft needs expertise from multiple fields and we're happy to be inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists ✈️

[National Centre for Atmospheric Science @AtmosScience]

It’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day!

We’re sharing why making atmospheric science accessible matters, and what we’re doing to embed accessibility within everything we do.

https://t.co/GNRtAjeHwe

[National Centre for Atmospheric Science @AtmosScience]

Get ready to explore our atmospheric research aircraft this summer! ✈️

Join @faam146 in celebrating 20 years of science flying by visiting us at the @airtattoo in July. If you’re not able to attend, a virtual 3D tour will be launching online soon…

https://t.co/tpo49qgCHy

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

And if you're specifically wanting to find out how we're improving the research facility, then you can get all the project updates to do with our " Mid-Life Upgrade" every month too:

https://t.co/7MGYgfqTTU

[FAAM Airborne Laboratory @faam146]

Last month we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our first science flight!

If you missed out on the news, and want to receive more updates to do with our research aircraft and atmospheric science, then sign up to the @AtmosScience monthly digest 👇

https://t.co/EMgk8VDcxa