What training do you need?
Do you want to learn about:
- What FAAM is, what we do, how you can apply to use the facility (Introduction to FAAM)
- Using data that has been collected during FAAM flights? (FAAM data user introduction)
Are you preparing or planning for:
- A flight as an experience flyer? (Flyer Induction)
- Flying as a science user of the aircraft? (New Flyer Workshop)
- Acting as a mission scientist for the first time (or for the first time in a while)? (Mission scientist training)
- Collecting filters on the FAAM aircraft? (Filters operator training)
- Installing or maintaining instruments on the aircraft? (Instrument installation and maintenance?)
Introduction to the FAAM Airborne Laboratory
A short webinar to introduce the FAAM Airborne Laboratory and its capabilities.
Aimed at the wider scientific community and prospective facility users, it will provide an overview of what we can do, how you can apply to use the aircraft for your science, installing new equipment, how flights work and what data we collect.
Duration: 1 hour
When: Every 6 months
Location: Virtual
Data User Introduction
This is a short webinar aimed at getting you started using FAAM data.
The training will introduce the types of data we collect, where it is stored, how to download and access, data format, quality control, documentation and tooling.
Duration: 1 hour
When: Every 6 months
Location: Virtual
Mission Scientist Training
This training introduces users to the role of mission scientist so they can prepare for their flights and get the best possible science outcomes.
The mission scientist on a FAAM flight leads the science of a flight, from planning through to debrief. They usually sit in the flight deck and are the point of contact for the pilots about the scientific course of the flight.
This training will be delivered in a classroom-type environment, with groups sufficiently small to enable time for questions and discussion. Discussions around crew resource management / human factors will be woven throughout the course. Where possible, a pilot will be present to offer input from their perspective. The presentation elements of the training (each including time for discussion) will cover:
- Overview of the role of mission scientist (including introduction to other relevant roles)
- How to write a sortie brief, types of manoeuvres. Where to find example sortie briefs
- Role of the mission scientist in the daily telecon and in the run-up to a flight, including best practice and deadlines for sortie brief submission
- Role of the mission scientists during the preflight brief, during the flight, and during the post-flight debrief
This will be followed by a scenario-based sortie brief writing practical task, in which participants will work together in small groups to produce a sortie brief, potentially for use in a training flight (see New flyer workshop). They will use online weather forecast products to select their operating area and timing.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
When: As required – please register your interest
Location: In person (Cranfield or elsewhere if appropriate), or virtual
Filters Operator Training
This training is for scientists who wish to collect filter samples as part of a FAAM flight.
This involves training on the ground and in the air, during which a member of FAAM staff or experienced filter user will demonstrate the principles of operation of the equipment. The ground training takes place on a non-flying day and takes 1-2 hours. The in-flight training is during a flight out of FAAM’s home base, ideally during a test flight, during which a member of FAAM staff will fly with you as a trainer.
Duration: 1-2 hours for ground training, plus flight
When: As required – please register your interest
Location: Cranfield
Flyer Induction
This training is required for all new flyers.
It allows new flyers to safely participate in their first flight and understand procedures of working around an aircraft. It also allows those flyers who have not used the aircraft for an extended period of time to refresh their knowledge on safe participation in flights and the procedures of working around an aircraft. The induction includes:
- Use of headset (including protocols)
- What happens on a flying day, who’s who, role descriptions
- Displaying data on aircraft computers
Relevant H&S training can be arranged to take place at the same time, depending on requirements.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
When: As required – please register your interest
Location: Cranfield
New Flyer Workshop
This workshop provides attendees with a broad overview of the facility in the form of a 2 day workshop.
The training consists of three sections: (1) a standard set of sessions (minimum required to qualify as a first time flyer mentor), (2) optional modules with more detail, (3) a practical on-aircraft element (a flight if possible). All presentation elements of the training will include time for questions and discussion.
Section 1:
- What is FAAM? (What is the facility here for, scope, who’s who, role descriptions of relevant people, process from grant application to delivery of project, overview of how operations are managed for a flight, for a campaign and for a detachment)
- Brief history of meteorological flying
- What can we measure (overview of instruments, what comes as standard and what can be requested, what is reasonable to expect in terms of instrument serviceability)
- Flyer Induction
- Introduction to human factors
- FAAM data user introduction
- Practice plotting data on the aircraft – a hands-on activity using aircraft plotting tool
Section 2:
- Option: Mission Scientist training
- Option: Activity using python to plot the core Netcdf file
Section 3:
Wherever possible, this section will take the form of an actual training flight (or mock training flight if not possible), using a sortie brief written as part of the Mission Scientist training. Priority for this flight will be given to those who will become mission scientists and/or instrument operators, with others invited to join if space is available. Trainee mission scientists will act as mission scientists for the flight. Participants will have the opportunity to practise using headsets. There will be several experienced members of FAAM staff on board to support trainees (as well as flight manager, core cloud etc.)
Duration: 2 days
When: As required – please register your interest
Location: Cranfield