Device and method for determining and indicating climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by an airplane

1. A device for determining and indicating, on board an airplane, climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by the airplane, the device comprising:

a first sensor means for determining radiation data of short-wave and long-wave atmospheric radiation directed upwards in the earth atmosphere at a location of the airplane;

a second sensor means for determining an air temperature and air humidity at the location of the airplane;

a zenith means for determining a zenith angle of the sun at the location of the airplane;

an evaluation means for determining a radiative forcing value produced by the contrail based on the determined radiation data, the air temperature and air humidity, and the zenith angle of the sun; and

an indication means for indicating at least one of the radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:

a first interface to provide prognostic weather simulation data relating to environment of the airplane to the evaluation means,

wherein the evaluation means comprises a first module that, based on the prognostic weather simulation data, the radiation data, the air temperature and air humidity, and the zenith angle, determines at least one of a lifespan of the contrail, and an overall radiation effect of the contrail integrated over its lifespan, and

wherein the evaluation means determines the radiative forcing value based on the integrated overall radiation effect of the contrail.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the device further comprises:

a receiving unit for wirelessly receiving weather simulation data and for providing the weather simulation data at the first interface.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the device further comprises:

a computer unit for generating and providing the prognostic weather simulation data at the first interface.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:

a second interface to provide fuel consumption data of the airplane to the evaluation means,

wherein the evaluation means comprises a second module that, based on the fuel consumption data, determines a radiation effect of greenhouse gases emitted by the airplane, and

wherein the evaluation means determines the radiative forcing value additionally taking into account the radiation effect of the emitted greenhouse gases.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:

a storage unit for storing at least one of the determined radiative forcing value and the variables derived therefrom.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:

a transmitting unit for wireles sly transmitting the at least one of the determined radiative forcing value and the variables derived therefrom to a receiving station.

8. A method of determining and indicating, on board an airplane, climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by the airplane, the method comprising:

determining, using a first sensor means, radiation data of short-wave and long-wave atmospheric radiation directed upwards in the earth atmosphere at location of the airplane;

determining, using a second sensor means, an air temperature and air humidity at the location of the airplane;

determining, using a zenith means, a zenith angle of the sun at the location of the airplane;

determining, using an evaluation means, a radiative forcing value produced by the contrail based on the determined radiation data, air temperature and air humidity, and the zenith angle; and

indicating, using an indication means, at least one of the radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

determining, using the evaluation means, based on inclusion of provided prognostic weather simulation data relating to the atmospheric environment of the airplane, at least one of a lifespan of the contrail and an overall radiation effect of the contrail integrated over the lifespan; and

determining, using the evaluation means, the radiative forcing value based on the integrated overall radiation effect of the contrail.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:

wirelessly receiving, using a receiving unit, weather simulation data from a ground station at the airplane; and

making, using the receiving unit, the weather simulation data available on board the airplane for determining and indicating climate-relevant effects of the contrail produced by the airplane.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:

generating, using a computer unit, weather simulation data on board the airplane; and

making, using the computer unit, the weather simulation data available on board the airplane for determining and indicating climate-relevant effects of the contrail produced by the airplane.

12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

determining, using the evaluation means, based on inclusion of fuel consumption data of the airplane a radiation effect of greenhouse gases emitted by the airplane; and

determining, using the evaluation means, the radiative forcing value based on the radiation effect of the emitted greenhouse gases.

13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

storing, using a storage unit, at least one of the determined radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom on board the airplane.

14. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

wirelessly transmitting, using a transmitting unit, the at least one of the determined radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom to a ground station.