Aerospace Ambition Podcast #42: Contrail Cirrus Prediction Models

Abstract

Kieran Tait (UK Bristol) and Marius Wedemeyer (TU Munich) perform a 55-min interview with Ulrich Schumann on aviation climate impact and contrails. They discuss the present state of knowledge and what can be done to reduce the climate impact of aviation, e.g. by route optimization towards minimum climate impact. Schumann describes the development of the research in this field over the past 30 years, mentioning international cooperation, for his personal view. He explains some basic physics on contrail formation. He emphasizes the high importance of short-lived climate forcing for a period with increasing air traffic. He explains the present view on contrail-cirrus climate and weather interactions and what could be done to improve contrail predictability.