We are pleased to share the latest improvements to ch-aviation’s aircraft data, aimed at enhancing the accuracy and depth of our aircraft role classifications.
New aircraft roles added to the database
We are expanding our aircraft role taxonomy with eight new role codes, providing more precise definitions for how aircraft are being operated across civil and military contexts. This update improves the granularity of our data and helps users better identify and filter aircraft by their operational purpose. In total, 2,948 commercial aircraft and 761 business jets have been affected.
The following roles are being introduced:
| ch code | description | more information |
|---|---|---|
| MRF | Multi-Role Flexible | Civil: multi-role; easily reconfigured for various tasks. |
| AIM | Aerial Observation Imaging and Mapping | Civil: Surveying, photogrammetry, and geo-survey work. Geological survey specifically for oil/gas deposits. Non-military/non-police monitoring (e.g., pipeline/powerline patrol). |
| RES | Research | Civil: Scientific platforms (MET, air sampling, remote sensing). |
| CAL | Calibrator | Civil: Nav inspection; calibrating ground-based flight equipment. |
| ISR | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance | Military: Reconnaissance (SIGINT/ELINT), Surveillance, Command and Control (C2), Airborne Command Post, Communications Relay. |
| REA | Operational Training and Readiness | Military: Specialized aircraft providing realistic combat simulations, adversary (Red Air) roles, and target towing for military forces. Also includes civilian contract operations for government agency readiness, such as target towing for navy exercises, electronic warfare (EW) testing, and simulated threat environments for civil defense training. |
| AEA | Aero-Environmental | Civil: Environmental & Agricultural Support: Aerial response for oil spill containment and environmental protection. Includes agricultural operations: pest/vector control, crop dusting, chemical spraying, forest seeding, deer feeding, and livestock mustering. Also covers atmospheric modification (cloud seeding) and "KASET" rainmaking operations. |
| MTP | Military Transport | Military: Personnel or Cargo |
From the existing roles, we have removed the “Oil Spill Response” role and added it to the “Aero-Environmental” role.
This concludes all changes included in this update. To see the change notes for previous updates, please click here.
