We are pleased to introduce you to our first contrail controller, the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt is a bit of a mouthful, so we’ll stick to DLR. DLR is one of the world’s first institutions dedicated to aeronautics research and is the national aeronautics and space research center for Germany. DLR proudly boasts around 10,000 employees dedicated to exploring Earth and space, developing technologies for a sustainable future, and safeguarding our planet for humankind.
DLR researchers are producing cutting edge technology critical to ending the lines and collaborating with companies and government agencies worldwide to reduce aviation’s climate impact. For example, they are partnering with NASA to study how sustainable aviation fuel could reduce contrails and have found cleaner-burning jet fuels could produce 50%-60% fewer ice crystal contrails at cruising altitude.
DLR & EUROCONTROL MUAC Conducted the First Ever Contrail Prevention Trial
Video: EUROCONTROL’s MUAC Contrail Control Program
DLR also partnered with EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control (MUAC) to carry out the world’s first live contrail prevention trial in 2021. The trial targeted flights at night because they are most likely to create persistent warming contrails.
MUAC and DLR researchers used DLR’s satellite image analysis to predict where contrails would most likely form during targeted nighttime flights. They cross-referenced this data with current traffic predictions and instructed air traffic controllers which specific atmospheric regions to avoid.   Controllers then advised pilots to climb or descend 1,000 to 2,000 feet to avoid contrail formation. Based on the data collected, the teams concluded contrail prevention is operationally possible. 1
DLR continues to work with MUAC to provide vital information necessary to contrail mitigation including the physics of the atmosphere, modelling related to contrails, and satellite image analysis.
We look forward to providing further updates on DLR’s continued efforts to end the lines.
[1] DLR / MUAC Partnership – https://www.eurocontrol.int/press-release/mitigating-climate-impact-non-co2-emissions