European Facility For Airborne Research

Thomas Ruhtz is working at the Institute for Space sciences of the Freie Universität Berlin and is responsible for two research aircraft and the laboratory LARSIA (Laboratory for Airborne Remote Sensing Instruments and Applications) since 1991. He has a degree in electronics and informatics and made his PhD in Geo-sciences. His field of expertise comprises the development of remote sensing instruments and methods. He is an executive member of EUFAR and is leading the EUFAR expert working group radiation. He is a guest editor at the remote sensing journal of MDPI and User Advisory Council for Polar Aircraft in Germany.

Bogdan Zagajewski is an associate professor at the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, Chair of Geomatics and Information Systems, Department of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Remote Sensing. His professional activity focuses on the use of remote sensing for environmental research, especially vegetation studies of species and communities identification, as well as research on the plant condition. Teaching and the promotion of remote sensing also play an important role (details on: http://geoinformatics.uw.edu.pl/bogdan-zagajewski/ and https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7882-5318).

Bart Deronde has been programme manager of VITO's Remote Sensing unit since September 2008. VITO Remote Sensing develops and operates space- and airborne-based earth observation systems that translate raw data into consumable information about population, growth, urban development, agriculture & vegetation, natural disasters, and more. In his PhD, Bart investigated the use of airborne hyperspectral remote sensing & LiDAR for beach morphodynamics. Next to this area, Bart gained expertise in the use of air- and spaceborne remote sensing for vegetation mapping. Since 2005 Bart combined scientific work with project management and team coordination. In autumn 2008 he joined the management team of the remote sensing unit at VITO, first as operations manager of the SPOT-VEGETATION & PROBA-V satellite missions. In the same years he managed the operations of ESA's hyperspectral APEX sensor and started a new team on Spatial Data Infrastructures. Since August 2015 he acts as programme manager and team leader of the Remote Sensing Applications team. This team develops a wide variety of remote sensing applications ranging from commercial services to the agriculture sector, to climate-impact monitoring for institutional users and a range of drone-based very high-resolution products & services.

Jan Hanuš began working at CzechGlobe Remote Sensing department in 2005. Currently he is head of the department of Airborne Activities. He is experienced in quantitative airborne imaging spectroscopy, geo-spatial analyses, and fuse of hyperspectral and laser scanning data. Jan has special interest in pre-processing of airborne hyperspectral data (radiometric, geometric and atmospheric corrections). He has been working in imaging spectroscopy for last 12 years and has experience with management of airborne as well as field part of hyperspectral campaigns.

Lucie Homolová is a remote sensing scientist at Global Change Research Institute and since 2018 she is the leader of Department of Remote Sensing. In 2014 she obtained PhD in Production Ecology and Resource Conservation graduate school at Wageningen University with thesis on imaging spectroscopy for ecological applications in forest and grassland ecosystems. Her expertise is in airborne hyperspectral imaging, field spectroscopy, forest radiative transfer modelling, retrieval of vegetation traits using empirical and physically-based remote sensing methods.

Fausto Ferraccioli is a senior geophysicist who has dedicated most of his research career to studying the structure and evolution of the Antarctic continent and its influence on the overlying ice sheets using aerogeophysical methods. He spent 9 years at the University of Genoa in Italy, where he completed a PhD and then worked as a post-Doc and assistant researcher in airborne geophysics. In 2002, he relocated to Cambridge (UK) where he worked for 18.5 years as Head of Airborne Geophysics at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)- one of the world-leading Antarctic research organizations. Since 2015, he was head of Geology and Geophysics and member of the BAS Science Strategy Team, where he also helped shape the broader science vision and research strategy and delivery for the organisation. Ferraccioli has been involved in over 50 different national and international research projects in his career. For example, he was the UK PI for AGAP, a flagship aerogeophysical effort of the International Polar Year that involved researchers from 7 countries to explore the least understood mountain range on Earth, the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains that are completely buried beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. He has been involved in leading roles in interdisciplinary and international aerogeophysical campaigns and continent-scale compilation efforts that have also made huge datasets freely accessible to the wider glaciological, geological, geophysical and geodetic research communities. In recent years, he has been helping bridge the gap between Earth Observation (satellite-based) and airborne observations in Antarctica working in major European Space Agency funded projects. He has published over 140 papers in international journals, including papers in Nature and Science. In 2010 he was awarded the Polar Medal for outstanding dedication and exceptional results in Antarctic research. He is currently Director at the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) in Trieste where he manages the geophysical section that includes 76 staff and PhD students, post-docs and research affiliates. He is currently also leading geophysical components of major PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) EU-funded projects related to the development of next generation cutting edge geophysical infrastructures for environmental, geosciences and net carbon zero research. Two of these projects include an enhancement of Italian airborne remote sensing and aerogeophysical research capabilities directly related to EUFAR.

I am involved in airborne measurements at the National Institute for Aerospace Research “Elie Carafoli”. My background is: PhD, Master of Science, Bachelor degree; all are in physics at University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics.

Bart Deronde has been programme manager of VITO's Remote Sensing unit since September 2008. VITO Remote Sensing develops and operates space- and airborne-based earth observation systems that translate raw data into consumable information about population, growth, urban development, agriculture & vegetation, natural disasters, and more. In his PhD, Bart investigated the use of airborne hyperspectral remote sensing & LiDAR for beach morphodynamics. Next to this area, Bart gained expertise in the use of air- and spaceborne remote sensing for vegetation mapping. Since 2005 Bart combined scientific work with project management and team coordination. In autumn 2008 he joined the management team of the remote sensing unit at VITO, first as operations manager of the SPOT-VEGETATION & PROBA-V satellite missions. In the same years he managed the operations of ESA's hyperspectral APEX sensor and started a new team on Spatial Data Infrastructures. Since August 2015 he acts as programme manager and team leader of the Remote Sensing Applications team. This team develops a wide variety of remote sensing applications ranging from commercial services to the agriculture sector, to climate-impact monitoring for institutional users and a range of drone-based very high-resolution products & services.

Ils Reusen has a MSc in Physics (Astronomy) and a PhD in Physics (Nuclear physics) before beginning her postdoctorate research in Electrical Engineering. Ils began working at VITO Remote Sensing in 2000, first as a researcher, then as a project manager and coordinator. Her focus was initially on airborne hyperspectral remote sensing and APEX but is now also oriented towards the use of Sentinel-2, PROBA-V and Sentinel-3 satellites for monitoring our water resources. Ils is also a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. She coordinates within EUFAR the Education and Training activities and in the past she coordinated the Belgian BELAIR network and campaigns.

Jan Hanuš began working at CzechGlobe Remote Sensing department in 2005. Currently he is head of the department of Airborne Activities. He is experienced in quantitative airborne imaging spectroscopy, geo-spatial analyses, and fuse of hyperspectral and laser scanning data. Jan has special interest in pre-processing of airborne hyperspectral data (radiometric, geometric and atmospheric corrections). He has been working in imaging spectroscopy for last 12 years and has experience with management of airborne as well as field part of hyperspectral campaigns.

Dr. Paola Formenti (female) is senior scientist at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, where she was originally appointed  in 2004. She exercises her scientific activities at the Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systemes Atmosphériques (LISA), nearby Paris. Her research focuses on the physico-chemical, optical and hygroscopic properties of atmospheric aerosols through field observations and laboratory simulation experiments. She is the PI of the multi-instrumented airborne platform AVIRAD and of the ground-based facility PEGASUS, and leads the aerosol activities of the CESAM simulation chamber. She has been  involved in  several major field experiments (AMMA, SAFARI-2000, SHADE, ChArMex, AEROCLO-sA…). From 2004 to 2017, she led the In situ aerosol Expert Working Group (EWG) of EUFAR. Her work in the field of atmospheric chemistry has resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and more than 100 communications in national and international conferences.

Dr. Paola Formenti (female) is senior scientist at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, where she was originally appointed  in 2004. She exercises her scientific activities at the Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systemes Atmosphériques (LISA), nearby Paris. Her research focuses on the physico-chemical, optical and hygroscopic properties of atmospheric aerosols through field observations and laboratory simulation experiments. She is the PI of the multi-instrumented airborne platform AVIRAD and of the ground-based facility PEGASUS, and leads the aerosol activities of the CESAM simulation chamber. She has been  involved in  several major field experiments (AMMA, SAFARI-2000, SHADE, ChArMex, AEROCLO-sA…). From 2004 to 2017, she led the In situ aerosol Expert Working Group (EWG) of EUFAR. Her work in the field of atmospheric chemistry has resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and more than 100 communications in national and international conferences.

Senior engineer - hold an MSc degree in "Electronic Systems and Microwaves" from Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris Sorbonne). Joined ONERA in 1990. Chairman of a NATO Sensors & Electronics Technology (SET) Research Group addressing counter UAVs radar systems design - Project manager - ONERA Electromagnetism and Radar Departement PoC for EU projects (PADR, EDIDP, Horizon Europe, ...).

Dr. Andreas Minikin has over 25 years of experience in experimental atmospheric research with a focus on airborne aerosol measurements. He participated in and coordinated many national and international aircraft field campaigns mainly with the DLR Falcon and HALO research aircraft. Since 2014 he is working as a project manager primarily for HALO, supporting the scientific users of this aircraft in the preparation and implementation of large field campaigns. Since 1999 he is employed at DLR, since 2014 working at the DLR Flight Experiments facility (FX).

Thomas Ruhtz is working at the Institute for Space sciences of the Freie Universität Berlin and is responsible for two research aircraft and the laboratory LARSIA (Laboratory for Airborne Remote Sensing Instruments and Applications) since 1991. He has a degree in electronics and informatics and made his PhD in Geo-sciences. His field of expertise comprises the development of remote sensing instruments and methods. He is an executive member of EUFAR and is leading the EUFAR expert working group radiation. He is a guest editor at the remote sensing journal of MDPI and User Advisory Council for Polar Aircraft in Germany.

received the M.Sc. degree in Geological Science at the University "La Sapienza" of Rome, in 1988. Confirmed researcher at the CNR IMAA, since April 2001 to present. Current research interest: in hyperspectral remote sensing including thermal remote sensing also participating to national and international field campaigns. Calibration of airborne hyperspectral scanner. Synergy of satellite and airborne remote sensing data for the precise characterization of the land cover in natural environments. Remote sensing of soil and vegetation.

Fausto Ferraccioli is a senior geophysicist who has dedicated most of his research career to studying the structure and evolution of the Antarctic continent and its influence on the overlying ice sheets using aerogeophysical methods. He spent 9 years at the University of Genoa in Italy, where he completed a PhD and then worked as a post-Doc and assistant researcher in airborne geophysics. In 2002, he relocated to Cambridge (UK) where he worked for 18.5 years as Head of Airborne Geophysics at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)- one of the world-leading Antarctic research organizations. Since 2015, he was head of Geology and Geophysics and member of the BAS Science Strategy Team, where he also helped shape the broader science vision and research strategy and delivery for the organisation. Ferraccioli has been involved in over 50 different national and international research projects in his career. For example, he was the UK PI for AGAP, a flagship aerogeophysical effort of the International Polar Year that involved researchers from 7 countries to explore the least understood mountain range on Earth, the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains that are completely buried beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. He has been involved in leading roles in interdisciplinary and international aerogeophysical campaigns and continent-scale compilation efforts that have also made huge datasets freely accessible to the wider glaciological, geological, geophysical and geodetic research communities. In recent years, he has been helping bridge the gap between Earth Observation (satellite-based) and airborne observations in Antarctica working in major European Space Agency funded projects. He has published over 140 papers in international journals, including papers in Nature and Science. In 2010 he was awarded the Polar Medal for outstanding dedication and exceptional results in Antarctic research. He is currently Director at the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) in Trieste where he manages the geophysical section that includes 76 staff and PhD students, post-docs and research affiliates. He is currently also leading geophysical components of major PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) EU-funded projects related to the development of next generation cutting edge geophysical infrastructures for environmental, geosciences and net carbon zero research. Two of these projects include an enhancement of Italian airborne remote sensing and aerogeophysical research capabilities directly related to EUFAR.

Hanna Pawlowska is a professor in the Institute of Geophysics, Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw. After defending her PhD at the University of Warsaw on cloud modelling she worked from 1993 to 1998 at the Centre National de Recherches Meteorologiques in Météo-France in a group of Experimental and Instrumental Meteorology directed by dr. Jean-Louis Brenguier. Her studies were focused on cloud microphysical properties and processes involved in the aerosol indirect effect, all based on airborne in-situ measurements. In 1999 - 2000 she worked at Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique in Paris. Since 2000 she is back at the University of Warsaw. She teaches Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Cloud Physics at the master degree level. Her research group – Cloud Microphysics – is working on cloud modelling with a focus on a particle-based lagrangian representation of cloud microphysics. She has been actively involved in EUFAR projects, first as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, then in EUFAR2 as a coordinator of e-communication networking activity. She was a partner in the COPAL project. She promotes the idea of Open Access to research infrastructures in Poland.

Eyal Ben-Dor is a full professor at the Tel Aviv University (TAU) and was the chair of the Geography and Human Environment Department at Tel-Aviv University from 2005-2009 and again from 2012-2015. Currently he is serving as the head of the remote sensing laboratory (RSL) within this department and a GEO principle of Israel under the Israel Space Agency appointment and mandate. He has more than 28 years experience in remote sensing of the Earth, with special emphasis on the Hyperspectral Remote Sensing technology (HRS) and soil spectroscopy. He developed many application using the HSR technology for civil engineering, medicine, veterinary, environmental science, water, vegetation, atmosphere and soil sciences. His studies focus on both quantitative and qualitative analyses of field and laboratory reflectance data and on processing of airborne and orbital hyper spectroscopy data for precise and advanced surface and atmosphere mapping. He has a strong background in soil science, spectroscopy and remote sensing and is an author of more than 200 papers, book chapters and technical reports. He is the founder of the soil spectroscopy discipline began 30 years ago and now is very active in field and implement it into precision agriculture and food and soil securities.

After doctored in Quantum Optics and a brief experience as a consultant in Nuclear Medicine, I began my attendance at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Italian National Research Council. There, I dealt with the characterization of the opto-electronic LIDAR system in Frascati and its redesign. I used its data, in conjunction with satellite measurements to study the temporal evolution of the stratospheric cloud caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. Thereafter, and until to date, I have dealt with the Institute LIDAR systems in the Antarctic bases of McMurdo (Rayleigh-Raman) and Dumont d'Urville (ozone DIAL), exploiting the data for the study of aerosol microphysics and polar stratospheric clouds and their role in the mechanisms of stratospheric ozone loss. In parallel, I designed and built miniature optical systems for the characterization of airborne particulate. This original and innovative instrumentation has been used on stratospheric balloons and research aircraft (M55 Geophysica) in an intensive activity of field measurements, in the poles in relation to the processes of ozone loss, at mid-latitudes for the study of tracer transport, stratospheric chemistry, stratosphere-troposphere exchange, microphysics of high altitude clouds, and in the tropics to study the mechanisms of troposphere-stratosphere transport, with particular emphasis on the study of the microphysical processes involving water vapour and the role that deep convection has in the chemistry and microphysics of the tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. My skills vary from Optics to Electronics and Atmospheric Sciences, with an emphasis on Stratospheric research.