European Facility For Airborne Research

WP3: Aircraft Specifications and Construction Costs

This workpackage aims at evaluating the costs for procurement, modification, and maintenance of a tropospheric aircraft for the selection of an aircraft model for COPAL.

Workpackage Leader: INTA

Objectives:

To precisely evaluate the costs for procurement, modification, and maintenance of the COPAL aircraft.

Description of Work:

1. Assessment of user needs
   A questionnaire will be prepared for the European researchers to express their needs, in terms of aircraft performance (scientific payload, endurance, range, and cabin space), and aircraft modifications (external pods, openings, antennas, etc).
    
2. Procurement cost estimation
   Quotations will be requested to aviation traders for used aircraft of the types selected by the Steering Committee, with detailed information on performance and remaining potential for airborne activity.
    
3. Modification cost estimation
   Quotations will be requested to aeronautic industries for refurbishing, certification for civil operation, and modifications for research of the aircraft models selected by the Steering Committee.
    
4. Maintenance cost estimation
   Quotations will be requested to aeronautic operators for maintenance of the aircraft.
    
5. Selection of the COPAL aircraft
   The Governing Board will evaluate the quotations and aircraft performance against user needs to select the aircraft model for COPAL.