A cylindrical active airborne platform for determining measurement data is latchable to a carrying cable such that the airborne platform is towable through the air. Sensors are configured to determine the measurement data and a flight position of the airborne platform. Two aerofoils arranged in the middle region of the airborne platform are adjustable and are connected to electrical adjusting devices configured as ailerons so as to vary a vertical flight position. Opposing two first air guide surfaces and two second air guide surfaces have further electrical adjusting devices configured respectively as elevators and as rudders. A computer supported control device comprises an automatic flight management system that is configured to provide self-acting control of the vertical flight position of the airborne platform, and that is configured to control the further electrical adjusting devices.