The high altitude Perlan 2 glider is almost ready to soar over Patagonia! After several days of checking systems and installing upgrades it was time to put the wings on. Everyone was really excited to be this close to flying. The hangar of AeroClub Lago Argentino was...
Perlan El Calafate Meetings Airbus Perlan Mission could not successfully operate from remote Patagonia without strong support from Argentina organizations. We met with representatives from many groups – governmental, volunteer, and informal. Perlan 2 has unique...
Airbus Perlan Mission II is getting ready for Argentina Campaign 2019! Yesterday the container which shipped from Minden, Nevada over two months ago was unloaded in El Calafate, Argentina. In Minden, it took more than 7 days to pack the container with the Perlan 2...
We got the good news that the Egrett and the Perlan container were released from Mendoza customs! Tago was able to inspect the inside of the container and trailer. We had last seen our baby over 2 months ago and 17 crane on or crane off loadings since Minden. Tago...
While the 2019 Perlan Argentina team awaited the container (full blog someday) we have been very productive. There have been several meetings with Argentine organizations to coordinate activities (future blog). But we also took advantage of the nearby iconic Patagonia...
A question that we frequently get at presentations is "Why didn't you keep climbing if the lift was still there?" Even engineers and pilots don't necessarily understand (or respect) what flutter at these unexplored altitudes and associated fast true airspeeds can...
The Airbus Perlan Mission II team has begun to gather in southern Argentina in El Calafate. High altitude clouds over Lago Argentino welcome Perlan Project to our second home for 2 months. We have found a place to hang our hats (and jackets and gloves) in our home in...
After 4 extremely successful check flights of Perlan 2 in Minden it was time to pack and ship the container to Patagonia. This is a huge endeavor on the part of several team members over a week time frame. To safely fly from a remote area you must bring spares of any...
Airbus Perlan Mission II is ready for 2019! On May 28-29, 2019 after extensive software and equipment upgrades, Perlan 2 took to the skies over Minden. Jim Payne, Tim Gardner, and Morgan Sandercock were the pilots and Dana Pierson was the new tow pilot behind a...
Perlan Project had several desired upgrades for the 2019 season. In January 2019 Perlan 2 was trailered from Minden to Rosamond passing Mount Whitney along the way. (Above the trailer tires in the photo.) I joked that going to Greg Scates composite shop in...
Flight #74 – Weak Wave On August 30, 2023 the forecast wave conditions had improved marginally from dismal to merely difficult. But the support teams had worked hard on various squawks from the previous flight. Perlan 2’s wings were removed to check the full travel...
For Airbus Perlan Mission II, the Egrett team makes it possible to soar to record heights. The Perlan Project was organized to investigate stratospheric waves above 35,000 feet. Below that altitude, the tropospheric wave has been much more explored and understood....
Flight #73 – Perlan Soars to 60,300 Feet On August 23, 2023 Airbus Perlan Mission II had the potential for a high flight. Conditions were nowhere near ideal, but had some forecasted hot spots that might connect for extended climbs. Part of our mission is to validate...
As a non-profit aviation organization The Perlan Project is “highly” appreciative of all our in-kind sponsors over the years. In 2022-2023 we received new support from earlier sponsors and brand new support. The list is so impressive for our non-profit organization...
On 11 August 2023 Perlan 2 took to the skies over Patagonia. We were prepared to soar high - if the forecasts were wrong about no soarable lift until 60,000 feet. Well, we proved the forecasts were correct. Best achieved lift was only 3 knots for only a few minutes....
When you are in a remote location communication devices don't always work as expected. That's why some Perlan Project team members have worked several days to understand the idiosyncrasies of emergency communications for 2023 (if ever needed). Thanks to Sandra, Tago,...