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1. Introduction

In the frame of the APE project (Airborne Polar Experiment), promoted by the Italian National programme for Antarctic Research (PNRA) in co-operation with the Russian Myasishchev Design Bureau (MDB), Aviaecocentre (AEC) and Central Aerological Observatory (CAO), a new high altitude research platform, the Russian aircraft M55-Geophysica has been recently made available for atmospheric studies. The APE program aimed at gathering new experimental data on the polar upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere, to gain a deeper insight of the mechanisms responsible for stratospheric ozone depletion. The M55 aircraft was modified to accommodate several scientific instruments performing in-situ and remote-sensing measurements of the microphysical and chemical structure of the polar atmosphere [Stefanutti et al., 1999, I]. The capabilities of the aircraft and of its scientific payload have been first demonstrated during a field campaign conducted in the Arctic region, from the base of Rovaniemi, Finland (lat. 66° 34’ N, long. 25° 48’ E) in the Winter 1996/97 [APE-POLECAT campaign Stefanutti et al., 1999, II] and have been fully exploited during the APE-GAIA campaign (Geophysica Aircraft In Antarctica) carried out from the southernmost tip of South America to study the microphysics and chemistry of the Antarctic stratosphere.

This paper summarises the main scientific issues addressed by the APE-GAIA mission, providing a short description of the research platform of the payload; as well as of the modelling tools used for the scientific flight planning. Some detail is given about the five scientific flights performed by the Geophysica aircraft over the Antarctic peninsula and first results obtained from post flight data analysis and interpretation are discussed.

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