The events of July 6-7, 2017 in Argentina were extremely worthwhile for the Perlan Project. The logistics of a Campaign in Patagonia are incredibly complicated. In the past 2 days it is coming together. Tim and Alec arrived in El Calafate after driving hard for three days on the scenic Ruta 40 parallel to the Andes Mountains in Patagonia. Santa Monica Cabins are ready to become team headquarters for 10 weeks.
The Warnocks and Paynes arrived in Buenos Aires with more team members arriving tomorrow morning. Morgan and Sandra finalized the details for aviation oxygen and helium for the weather balloons. We were again warmly welcomed in L’Hotel Palermo near the regional airport AEP. In Buenos Aires, Team Perlan met with folks from EANA (like the American Air Traffic Control) including Walter Salama – Director of Institutional Relations and the EANA CEO Agustin Rodriguez Grellet. Then we met with ANAC (like American Federal Aviation Administration) incluing their National Administrator Juan Pedro Irigoin and James Whamond. Also at the meeting was Paolo Marino – Director of Operational Security, Martin Rodriguez – Chief of Cabinet and Sylvina Stampella – Chief of Development. Perlan Project was able to explain our goals and interface with people who understand aviation projects.
Meanwhile the Boero tow plane from the mountain wave soaring group CNVVM started it’s ferry south with Cholo Mirandez and Raul Macchi. Tonight it is in Comodoro Rivadavia. And the truck carrying our container is also in Comodoro. Jose sent some fab photos. In the next 2 days we will all converge in El Calafate like a fined tuned machine.
Let the fun begin!
Jackie
