The helicopter-borne sensor package helipod-features and capabilities of a new turbulence measurement system for meteorological research

HELIPOD is a new meteorological measurement system, about 5 m long and 250 kg in weight, which can be operated autonomously on a 15 m rope below almost any helicopter. The system combines the aerodynamical and logistical advantages of a helicopter as towing aircraft with features of high-sophisticated meteorological, navigational, and technical sensor equipment. HELIPOD allows high-resolution in-situ measurements of turbulent fluxes of mass, momentum, sensible heat, and latent heat; the system is specially suited for ship-based polar and mid-ocean operation and thus for measurements under conditions where conventional airplane-based systems cannot be operated. The system has been constructed by the German company {open_quotes}Aerodata Flugmesstechnik GmbH{close_quotes}; the financial founding was provided by the German Federal Ministry of Investigation and Technology. This contribution gives a short outline on HELIPOD`S concept, its technical properties and features, and its operation. Additionally, some examples are shown from data collected from board the German polar research vessel {open_quotes}Polarstern{close_quotes} during her recent Arctic campaign in autumn 1995. 6 refs., 6 figs.