The FAAM is a large atmospheric research BAE-146 aircraft, run by the NERC (jointly with the UK Met Office until 2019). It has been in operation since March 2004 and is at the scientists' disposal through a scheme of project selection.

Data collected by this aircraft is stored in the FAAM data archive and includes "core" data, provided by the FAAM as a support to all flight campaigns, and "non-core" data, the nature of which depends on the scientific goal of the campaign.

FAAM instruments provide four types of data:

- parameters required for aircraft navigation;
- meteorology;
- cloud physics;
- chemical composition.

The data are accompanied by extensive metadata, including flight logs. The FAAM apparatus includes a number of core instruments permanently onboard and operated by FAAM staff members, and a variety of other instruments, grouped into chemistry kit and cloud physics kit, that can be fitted onto the aircraft on demand.
FAAM is also a member of the EUropean Facility for Airborne Research (EUFAR) fleet of research aircraft.

As per NERC data policy (see documents), FAAM data are openly available upon registration with the CEDA archive (anyone can register) under the Open Government Licence. Raw data are retained for longterm preservation but are not intended for general use.