VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #0138 2622108
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 182105Z SEP 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 9456

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