Airborne Research Australia (ARA) has the resources to sense many different environmental parameters using state-of-the-art imaging technologies. ARA owns a number of capable aircraft, including two eco dimonas fitted out with powerful science equipment. This presentation gives us an appreciation of what can be achieved with these technologies with reference to the ash cloud that closed down a number of airports in Australia recently and mountain wave flying.

Andrew McGrath studied engineering and applied maths at Adelaide Uni. After working in California for a few years as an electrical engineer, Andrew completed his PhD at Flinders Uni in airborne remote sensing (lidar) and upgraded his PPL to a CPL while research flying in a G-109b. Andrew worked for four years in the UK Met Office at Farnborough airfield, doing airborne research in a RAF C-130.

Andrew flew his first glider solo with AUGC in 1982. He became a gliding instructor and took his skills to Mangrove Mountain (Sydney) while working for the Anglo-Australian Observatory on instruments for big telescopes. He's now returned to Adelaide to work on airborne environmental sensing at Flinders University.

Recorded at The University of Adelaide 03/08/2011.