The DOE Research Aircraft Facility

The Atmospheric Chemistry Program is supported by the DOE Research Aircraft Facility at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which is dedicated to the fulfillment of DOE and national goals related to understanding atmospheric processes as they relate to the DOE's environmental missions and the global environment. Central to this facility is an advanced sampling platform, the PNNL Grumman Gulfstream I (G-1), and its flight crew, technical and engineering support staff, and state-of-the-art instrumentation.

The G-1 is a large twin turboprop with performance characteristics of contemporary "in production" aircraft. It is capable of measurements to altitudes approaching 30,000 feet over ranges of 1500 nautical miles, and can be operated at speeds that enable both relatively slow sampling and rapid deployment to field sites throughout the world. The aircraft is configured for versatile research applications. It accommodates a variety of external probes for aerosol and turbulence measurements and internal sampling devices for measuring atmospheric composition and state variables. The G-1 has sufficient cabin volume, electrical power and payload capabilities, and flight characteristics to accommodate a large variety of instrument systems and experimental equipment configurations. Internal instrumentation is mounted in removable racks that enables rapid reconfiguration. Data acquisition is performed by an onboard computer system that can accommodate a wide range of analog and digital inputs. Acquired data are processed post-flight to incorporate calibration data and user-specified formatting. Output can be provided on PC-compatible disks or magnetic tape in a format acceptable to the user. Additional information on the performance characteristics, instrument systems, and data acquisition for the G-1 can be found on the Internet.

Priority for G-1 use is given to users from the DOE Atmospheric Chemistry Program. Proposals stating research objectives and requesting aircraft time must be submitted to the DOE for review by a DOE-empowered Research Aviation Facility Advisory Panel as far in advance as practical. Technical proposals to DOE should include a request for aircraft support. The panel reviews the technical feasibility of the proposed research flights and makes recommendations to DOE on the award of flight hours. After the DOE awards flight hours, the research aircraft facility coordinates the approved requests and schedules flight time.

Although DOE/OHER provides flight hours without cost, projects using the facility must estimate the following costs: (1) landing fees, (2) hangar rental, (3) ground support facilities, and (4) crew time and expenses for a PNNL flight crew of two pilots and one engineer. This information, along with the information provided in the Request for Aircraft Support Form (downloadable WordPerfect 5.1 file), will be used in the review of the proposed request for flight hours.

The research aircraft facility does not cover the cost of engineering studies and airframe modifications needed for custom installation of project-specific instrumentation. Such costs must be budgeted for in the proposal to DOE. The staff of the research aircraft facility will assist the user in estimating these costs upon request. DOE covers all base operating costs (hangar rental and utilities, airport fees, calendar-based maintenance, flight crew training and proficiency maintenance, and flight crew and engineering staff hours) and all operating, maintenance, and logistical costs for up to 250 flight hours annually, including the off-site costs for the flight crew.

Requests for information and assistance can be directed to Dr. W. Richard Barchet, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, (509) 372-6158, e-mail wr_barchet@pnl.gov.