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 operating conditions and limitations. We wanted to reacquaint ourselves with our supporters and meet any new administrators.
July 29 – Perlan Project met with hospital and medical folks to understand what were normal procedures for their new, modern emergency room. As the intent is to fly as high as is safe this year we spent considerable time learning the new regulations for Search and Rescue (SAR). Among the attendees werer Dr. Silvia Solis, head of Emergency Room, Dr. Gustavo Napoli, and Dr. Juan Varela. Later Dr Varela came to the hangar to see Perlan 2 assembled.
August 5 – We met with Miguel Casco, chief and Daniel Antiman, chief of operations from El Calafate ANAC. ANAC is in charge of the running of the airports of Argentina. (Similar to FAA in the US.) El Calafate is a towered airport and Perlan ops are definitely not your normal everyday procedures. We appreciate ANAC’s willingness to fit us in.
August 6 – We went to visit the Firefighters in the Airport and we were able to see all the equipment they have. In the picture Casco, Ignacio Lara from Comodoro Search and Rescue (SAR), and Sebastian Faraldo chief of the firefighters.
August 7 – Work meeting with Ignacio and in the afternoon a visit to the Volunteer Fire station in town. Volunteer Bomberos Chief Gabriel Bossi (in brown jacket), second in command Javier Nielas (who also works at the airport and has helped Airbus Perlan Mission II for 3 years).
August 9 – SAR Meeting with Miguel Casco, Ignacio Lara, Volunteers firefighters – Bossi and Nielas, Andres Giraudi – Chief of Prefecture Naval Argentina and Daniel Antiman.
August 12 – Since we fly very close to the Glacier National Park we visited the National Parks office and met Superintendent German Solveira.
August 14 – We had a large coordination meeting for Search and Rescue. The Argentina laws have recently changed so indepth discussion was needed to integrate the proper agencies. In this meeting was National Guard (Gendarmeria National), National Parks, Police from the Province of Santa Cruz, and Airport Security (PSA).
Marcelo Quevin – chief of PSA
Ariel Anthauv – National Parks
Daniel Muñoz – National Parks
Héctor Segovia – National Parks
Sergio González – Policía
Mauro Quiroga – Gendarmeria National Chief
Daniel Antiman -ANAC chief of operations
Miguel Casco – chief of ANAC
August 14 – The chief of security at the airport (PSA) met with the team to review previous rules and acquaint us with new regulations. Marcelo Quevin – chief, Luis Diez– second, and Lara Pringles – in charge of badges.
August 16 – We are so fortunate to have the AeroClub Lago Argentino as our hosts. Without their hospitality, hangar, heated “ready room” and office space the Perlan team would have to endure brutal outside conditions. CEO Ed Warnock thanked Freddy Vegnolle, President of the AeroClub, for 4 years of hospitality.
August 19 – Bomberos with Dr Dan Johnson. He is very experienced with aviation medicine. He met with 3 shifts of firefighters to share some expertise about how some of the new medical systems work.
August 20 – We had a meeting of all Perlan pilots and the El Calafate (FTE) tower controllers. They work for EANA (like ATC in US). We have been so impressed with their professionalism and willingness to train us.
Hector Ajalla – EANA Chief of Instruction
Gabriel Widmer – EANA Chief of Operations
Mariano Berkovich – EANA instructor for English aviation phraselogy
Eduardo Lescanso – EANA Chief of El Calafate
Cristian Fernandez – EANA Chief of Tower
August 20 – Perlan Project and Airbus expressed their appreciation to LADE for their continued support of Airbus Perlan Mission II. Receiving a hat and patch was Chief Jose Costilla.
Airbus Perlan Mission II deeply appreciates the support of these organizations. We recognize that we are a unique challenge to normal operations for all these groups. We could not be successful without their help. I apologize if I got a name or a title incorrect. There are other organizations and individuals which have assisted Perlan Project. Perlan soars!
