The quality of meteorological measurements as a common factor in flight safety and the development of renewable energies
The ReSMA is acquiring the capabilities to become a ‘National Reference Centre for Solar Radiation’ and it is in this context that, during the meeting, the modalities for concluding a campaign to compare methods for measuring sunshine duration were defined. This campaign has been running since 2009 simultaneously at Vigna di Valle and Carpentras. The publication of the final report for this campaign is planned for 2012 and will constitute a primary source for updating manual no. 8 of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), considered the global reference text in the field of meteorological instrumentation. The information contained within it will also provide a very valuable resource for the international community, especially in the context of exploiting alternative energy sources. To this end, the accuracy of the Air Force Meteorological Service's reference instruments for solar radiation, used in this campaign, has been certified.
During the meeting, there was a mutual exchange of expertise and knowledge regarding the quality procedures and protocols to be applied for the calibration and verification of meteorological instrumentation dedicated to measuring temperature, humidity, and pressure, in view of the imminent operational launch of the aforementioned activity at the ReSMA metrology laboratory. In fact, ensuring the quality of measurements, especially those related to airport operations where such quality translates into safety for those flying, has now become an essential objective for every meteorological service. This goal can also be achieved through periodic and efficient calibration and verification of measuring instruments.
The Italian Air Force promotes quality in meteorology through metrology, a quality that is reflected in flight safety and in the information available to all citizens.
