AIRCRAFT DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUEST: ISLA DE

UNCLAS STATE 100138 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CI KRVC KSCA OTRA PE NSF TPHY SUBJECT: AIRCRAFT DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUEST: ISLA DE PASCUA/MATAVEIR (NSF HIPPO/GLOBAL PROJECT) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 12. ¶2. (U) The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) plans to operate a National Science Foundation (NSF) Gulfstream GV research aircraft, Tail Number and Call Sign N677F, in support of the HIPPO/GLOBAL project to study global distribution and seasonal trends of CO2 and a number of other atmospheric trace gases in attempt to constrain global distribution models and tie the global carbon budget. ¶3. (U) Flights will be conducted from Tahiti (NTAA) to Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) (SCIP) on Route UL 348. Two Research Missions are planned for 2009, the first flight will be conducted in January 2009 and the second mission will be conducted in November 2009. ¶4. (U) Both flights will be flown between Minimum Enroute Altitudes and FL270 to remain below RVSM altitudes and allow for altitude changes. Requests for higher altitudes, up to FL 470 (traffic permitting) will be requested through Air Traffic Control. Clearances for the Route of the flights, landing and aircraft handling will be arranged through Jeppesen Data Plan. ¶5. (U) The aircraft is a Gulfstream GV, Call Sign and Registration Number is N677F. ¶6. (U) The primary objectives of the HIPPO/Global flights are to study global distribution and seasonal trends of CO2, a number of other atmospheric trace gases and black carbon and other aerosols in attempt to constrain global distribution models and balance the global carbon budget. Additional questions are addressed such as determining meridional gradients, rates of vertical exchange, chemical clocks and oxygen distribution and budget. ¶7. (U) Instruments on board the aircraft will include standard meteorological sensors (used for measuring wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity, etc.) plus various air chemistry instruments. ¶8. (U) The Research Gulfstream GV Aircraft is operated in compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Rules and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) procedures. The aircraft and crews are RVSM certified. Flights will be conducted under Instrument (IFR) and Visual (VFR) Flight Rules with coordination through Air Traffic Control Centers. ¶9. (U) All personnel aboard the aircraft will have duties to perform and will be considered crewmembers. No passengers will be carried. Pilots will be Henry Boynton, Passport Number 155133554, and Edward Ringleman, Passport Number ¶220582408. ¶10. (U) The maximum number of personnel on board the aircraft will not exceed fourteen (14). ¶11. (U) No cargo will be carried and no armament will be aboard the aircraft. ¶12. (U) Action Request: Please forward clearance to NSF Program Analyst Bernard Grant, cc'ing the Desk, at bgrant@nsf.gov. Mr. Grant may also be reached at tel. 703-292-4699 should additional information/clarification be required. RICE