Flight Safety of Small Aircraft under Adverse Meteorological Conditions
SMART-MET
Flight Routes for Ensuring the Safety of Small Aircraft in Challenging Weather Conditions
The SMART-MET project encompasses multiple research approaches addressing various aspects of flight safety and the operational capability of small aircraft. It aims to enhance the safety of small aircraft under difficult meteorological conditions. In this context, comprehensive historical meteorological data will be evaluated, among other things, to describe weather phenomena and to understand and predict their impacts on air traffic. Based on this data, an "Availability Atlas" for a selected model region will be developed. This atlas will geographically and temporally map potential meteorological risks and help determine flight corridors for the safe operation of small aircraft.
Credit:
DLR & Foto Joe – stock.adobe.com
Duration: 2024 bis 2026
Project Objective: Improvement of Flight Safety
Under leadership of the "Innovation Center for Small Aircraft Technologies" operated by the DLR-Facility Technologies for Small Aircraft, located in the Aachen region, SMART-MET seeks to integrate small aircraft more safely and reliably into air traffic, particularly in urban and interurban areas. This will be achieved by improving the understanding of complex weather phenomena and predicting their effects on aviation. The project relies on interdisciplinary collaboration between severals DLR institutes and external partners to develop comprehensive solutions, enabling the operation of small aircraft even under challenging meteorological conditions.
Meteorological Data Analysis and Availability Atlas
The DLR Institute of Air Transport takes on specific tasks in the meteorological data analysis for the SMART-MET project and will create a detailed availability atlas for small aircraft based on this analysis. The colour-coded atlas will show pilots and operators under which conditions and on which routes small aircraft can be flown safely, as well as alternative options.
This work package includes the following steps:
Development of a Meteorological Database
Statistical Availability of Small Aircraft
Creation of the Availability Atlas for a Selected Model Region
A central task of the DLR Institute of Air Transport is developing a comprehensive meteorological database.
Historical weather data from the past 30 years will be collected and processed.
This data will be integrated into a project-specific database to enable detailed meteorological analyses for specific locations and times.
Based on the gathered meteorological data, the conditions under which small aircraft can be safely operated will be investigated. The DLR Institute of Air Transport will analyse:
Safety Parameters: Which weather conditions are acceptable for the operation of small aircraft? This will involve referencing operational manuals, standards, and data from flight incidents and emergency landings.
Availability Indices: Development of indices indicating how safe it is to operate a small aircraft at a specific time and location.
The core of this work is the creation of the availability atlas. This atlas will visualise:
Airspaces for Safe Flight Operations: Colour-coded markings indicate when and where small aircraft can be operated safely and with what probability.
Alternative Routes: In the event of identified meteorological risks, possible safe routes will be calculated, and additional costs for alternative routes will be considered.
Future Weather Conditions: Impact on Flight Safety Strategies
Additionally, within the scope of the project, the DLR Institute of Air Transport will investigate the impact of future extreme weather events. Scenarios will be created to assess their effects on flight safety.
Project Contribution and Long-Term Perspectives
SMART-MET plays a crucial role in improving the safety of small aircraft operations, especially in populated areas. The technologies and methods developed within the project are designed to be used regionally and internationally to enhance flight safety worldwide.
By closely linking research and practical application, the Innovation Center for Small Aircraft Technologies in the Aachen region supports an important project for the future of aviation with SMART-MET. It lays one foundation for safe and efficient solutions in air transport.
The SMART-MET Project – Flight Safety of Small Aircraft under Adverse Meteorological Conditions
Duration: 3 years
Involved Institutes and Facilities: DLR Technologies for Small Aircraft, DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, DLR Institute of Flight Systems, DLR Institute of Lightweight Systems, DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics, DLR Institute of Air Transport
Leading Facility: DLR Technologies for Small Aircraft
