Contrail sensors aim to cut aviation's climate impact

A new project will develop sensors to better understand and reduce the climate impact of contrails (condensation trails). 

Honeywell, Boeing, and the University of Reading will create the prototype sensors to measure atmospheric conditions in flight, which will help improve forecasting of when and where contrails form, and support efforts to avoid them. The project is funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK 

Honeywell will lead the work, designing and integrating the sensor hardware using its facilities in Yeovil. Boeing will provide expertise on fitting the sensors to aircraft and testing them in real flying conditions. 

The University of Reading's Department of Meteorology will analyse the data and model contrail formation. The department has researched aviation's climate impacts for more than 30 years. 

Professor Nicolas Bellouin, Professor of Climate Processes, University of Reading: "Frequent, high-quality measurements of humidity are crucial for calculating the climate impact of flights and one day reduce that impact. The University of Reading will study how better sensors and an optimised use of aircraft equipped with those sensors allow better contrail predictions, which will be a critical component of future contrail mitigation actions."  

Missing measurements 

Airlines and researchers increasingly recognise that contrails contribute to aviation's climate impact beyond emissions of carbon dioxide. However, current aircraft sensors don't measure the humidity and temperature conditions accurately and often enough to determine whether contrails form and last long enough to have a climate impact. 

The new sensor aims to provide better quality measurements that can be widely adopted across airline fleets. This data will improve weather forecasts and help airlines avoid flying conditions that create persistent contrails. 

"There's a clear need for more accurate atmospheric data collected during flights," said Anthony Florian, President of Honeywell Aerospace EMEAI. "By improving aircraft-based sensing, this project aims to close critical data gaps that affect contrail forecasting, weather modelling and climate analysis." 

"Aircraft already collect meteorological data on winds, temperature, icing and turbulence to support flight operations," said Dr Tia Benson Tolle, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Product Development Sustainability Director. "We're excited to work with ATI, Honeywell and the University of Reading on a new water vapour sensor, as humidity observations are essential to improve weather and contrail forecasting." 

The project supports the ATI's Non-CO₂ Technologies Roadmap and the UK aerospace sector's commitment to achieving net zero aviation. 

Honeywell will lead the project from its Yeovil facility, which has extensive testing capabilities including altitude chambers. Honeywell has supported aviation innovation in the UK for 100 years.