Airborne Atmospheric Measurements with the Max Planck CloudKites

To investigate cloud microphysics and turbulence in clouds and in the atmospheric boundary layer, we specially developed airborne platforms, one Max-Planck-CloudKite + (MPCK+) and two mini-Max-Planck-CloudKites (mini-MPCK). They are deployed aboard balloon-kite hybrids conducting in situ measurements of meteorological and cloud microphysical properties with high spatial and temporal resolution. During the EUREC4A-ATOMIC field campaign in the Caribbean January-February 2020, the MPCK+ and one mini-MPCK sampled clouds aboard a 250 m³ aerostat launched from the R.V. Maria S. Merian where both instruments were operated between MSL and 1500m MSL. In addition, one mini-MPCK profiled the atmosphere between MSL and 1000 m MSL aboard a 74 m³ aerostat launched from the R.V. Meteor. In total, we acquired 145 h of flight-data on RV Maria S. Merian and 52 h of flight-data on RV Meteor. For the MPCK+, this included 5 hr of Particle Image Velocimetry data and 3 hr of inline holography data inside clouds and near the cloud edges. We present in situ data measured by the MPCKs during the EUREC4A-ATOMIC field campaign and report on preliminary assessment of turbulence features.