A new specially modified Gulfstream Jet is helping researchers gain new knowledge on our world’s environment and scientific underpinnings. It has been called the National Center for Atmospheric Research ( NSF/NCAR ) as well as HIAPER ( The High Performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research). It has been a dream to scientists and has taken hundreds to build. This model is specially fit with instruments that can record key statistics about the environment. The Jet’s ability to go higher and farther than previous jets allow researchers to travel half way across the world or across the entire US on a single fuel tank. Flying over 51,000 feet up in the sky this Gulfstream allows information to be recorded high up in the atmosphere not usually easy to explore such as the scientific details behind storm patterns seen in clouds across the world are still somewhat mysterious to scientists.
These jets are being built out of Savannah, Georgia by many special teams of mechanics, engineers, scientists, and more. Special difficulties arose in the creation of this aircraft such as the aerodynamic difficulties that are there when putting special instruments on the top and bottom of the jet which is usually a smooth surface that on top of being able to still fly higher and longer on a single gas tank is a major objective are impressive features.
This “Research Workhorse” can fly over 6,500 without refilling a tank and it does that with the 12 Rolls Royce engines that power it. HIAPER will be able to reach some of the world’s most remote areas to research global climate change.
You can visit the NCAR Youtube Channel directly here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ncarucar
Introducing HIAPER – the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V Research Aircraft
View on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjMFvZWjE1g
Assorted other Gulfstream Jet Picture:
Photo Credit: Moaksey Flikr Collection
Written by Josh Bois ( Follow me on twitter: @JoshBois or @MrGlobalization )