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The emissions from the aircraft are split between CO2, non-CO2 gases and aerosols. CO2 is a well-known long-lived greenhouse gas. The other emissions consist mainly of NOx, water vapour, unburned hydrocarbons, sulphates and black carbon. The cruise altitude of present jet aircraft is approximately 9-13 km. Globally the largest proportion of emissions are released in this altitude range containing the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The geographical pattern of aircraft emissions reflects the structure of global scheduled air traffic. Emission maxima are found over North America, Europe, the North Atlantic flight corridor, Southeast Asia and the Far East. The largest amounts of emissions are released in the northern hemisphere. The impact of emissions of chemical compounds by aircraft engines can be seen in context of the chemical processes occurring in the natural troposphere and stratosphere. The changes in atmospheric chemistry due to aircraft emissions are investigated by usage of numerical models, for example atmospheric chemistry transport models and chemistry – climate models.

Clouds are the most visible elements of the sky and significantly contribute to the weather we experience every day. Clouds play an important role in the global energy and water budgets and affect the climate of the Earth. The presence of clouds affects the radiation balance of the region, the temperature of the air and exposed surfaces. Cloud formation requires moisture, aerosol particles and a process of cooling the air. The properties of many minute particles, that make up the cloud, characterize its microstructure. The special flight laboratory of University of Žilina presents unique device for obtaining information especially concerning the cloudy formation (base and upper-level cloudiness, state of matter, visibility in particular cloud types), turbulence, icing and concentration of the environmental gases and short-waves and long-waves radiation as well. This laboratory is a part of project „Centre of Excellence for Air Transport“ ITMS 26220120065 and will be irreplaceable source of meteorological information within the airport area and equally along chosen flight route.