RESEARCH AIRCRAFT FACILITY John M. Hubbe Pacific Northwest National Laboratory P.O. Box 999/K9-30 Richland, WA 99352 email: john.hubbe@pnl.gov The Research Aircraft Facility is dedicated to fulfilling DOE and national goals related to understanding atmospheric processes of concern to the National Energy Policy Act and the global environment. It is pivotal to DOE's investigation of aerosol and cloud chemical, physical and optical properties; radiative transfer; atmospheric chemistry; and transport processes. A Grumman Gulfstream-159 (G-1) twin-engine turboprop aircraft instrumented for aerosol, cloud, gaseous chemistry, and atmospheric physics and dynamics investigations, is funded to serve the DOE atmospheric sciences community with up to 250 flying hours annually. It provides a low- to mid-troposphere measurement capability; safely and reliably penetrates weather systems under a variety of conditions; and has sufficient range, payload, and electrical power required for long-term service to DOE as an airborne atmospheric research laboratory. Future accomplishments depend heavily on internal DOE planning for the use of the facility in its major programs. By providing researchers access to the aircraft facility, DOE encourages the application of new concepts and specialized equipment to obtain airborne measurements that enhance our understanding of atmospheric processes and the global environment. Field campaigns and other users of the Research Aircraft Facility are sanctioned by the DOE Atmospheric Science Program and its Steering Committee. Key Words: aircraft, measurements, atmospheric research, chemistry, cloud physics, aerosols, facility, infrastructure [back to ASP ST Membership]