Introducing SAFIRE
SAFIRE brings together the human and financial resources with the three research aircraft under the authority of CNRS, Météo-France and CNES.
The unit's mission is to implement these aircraft for the benefit of scientific research research during experimental campaigns.
An article in French published in 2016 in the journal La Météorologie described Safire in detail.
SAFIRE is a Research facility
Common to Météo-France, CNRS and CNES (UAR2859)
SAFIRE staff is employed by Météo-France and the CNRS. These two organizations, as well as CNES, share the operating costs of the unit at the same level.
After many years of collaboration between Météo-France and CNRS airborne research services, it was decided to pool efforts and to create this SAFIRE entity. The official date of creation of the unit is February 10, 2005. The convention was renewed on January 1st , 2021.
Our base is at Toulouse-Francazal airport (Cugnaux - France).
- Four teams bring together Safire's technical resources: INS means the team in charge of the Instrumentation,
- ITD designates the team providing the IT and data processing services,
- OPS means the team in charge of the operations,
- LAC means the Aeronautical Studies and Certification Office.
Administrative and financial management, reception and logistics are provided by the management and reception team.
To know more about our skills, click here
Management of SAFIRE
A Steering Committee (CD) composed of 2 representatives for each trusteeship makes the decisions on the service's political orientations. To know more about SAFIRE CD...
The management of SAFIRE is composed of the director and his deputy :
- Director of SAFIRE : Aurélien BOURDON
- Deputy-director of SAFIRE : Jean-Christophe CANONICI
Moreover, the Scientfic Advisory Comitte (CSTA) is composed of scientists who have a long experience of airborme measurements. To know more about CSTA ...
Discover the Offer of services of SAFIRE (in French)
A European involvement
EUFAR : EUropean Facility for Airborne Research
The European network of research aircraft 
SAFIRE is a member of the European consortium of EUFAR research aircraft; it aims to promote airborne research in Europe and pool the fleet of aircraft to offer these platforms to researchers who are not equipped or who do not have access to a suitable aircraft.
