Perlan’s blog collects the thoughts and experiences of team members from the multiple disciplines needed to build and prepare the aircraft, plan the flight, and carry out the mission. Here, you’ll find insights from the designers, craftspeople, pilots, meteorologists, and support personnel who will make Perlan’s record ascents a reality. Perlan’s blog will be an opportunity to delve into the challenges and triumphs that travel with the giant sailplane.
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 critical items. There's no overnight shipping or big box stores where we are going.
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 SoaringNV Pawnee. (Silvio is on vacation.) After the first flight Chief Pilot Jim Payne said "Perlan's upgrades work! Great to be flying again." Co-pilot Tim Gardner agreed, " All the hard work has paid off. Unconditional success!" And Jackie Payne, Chief of Logistics concurred, "Morgan Sandercock has seriously upgraded telemetry and added IMU data to the mix. Fabulous accomplishment!"
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 Rosamond was like getting a full day at the spa, except this is for 2 months. It is much easier to work inside the inverted cockpit standing up, rather than leaned over and head down if the glider wheel is on the ground. So the Perlan 2 fuselage got inverted to hang on the custom made heavy A-frame. The frame needs to be moved with a forklift and positioned by 4 guys, one on each leg of the A-frame. Since the tail is so tall, the fuselage is fairly high off the ground. For a short video of rolling inverted see: https://www.facebook.com/PerlanProject/videos/1154159661418619/?permPage=1
As 2018 comes to a close, it's time to look back on an awesome, amazing, ultra successful year for Perlan Project. The Airbus Perlan Mission II achieved many first-ever milestones with our core Perlan team plus our around the globe supporters. Included in this blog are a few photos, but there is a link below to a YouTube celebration of the "Perlan Best of Argentina." Those selected 150 photos come from the team during two months out of thousands of photos. Let no one doubt Airbus Perlan Mission II is a team effort every step of the way. Yes, the 3 world record altitude claims are sweet, but they are merely icing on the cake.
As we celebrate the 2018 holidays Perlan Project has much to be greatful for. Thanks Laurent for getting the delightful card created. We appreciate all our friends, fans and supporters for joining our journey toward the edge of space in 2018. As our card says "may you reach new heights in 2019!"
On December 7, 8, and 9 the Perlan Team met in Minden to plan for 2019. We had a mix of informal and formal gatherings. The first event was a celebratory Holiday Party at Jim and Jackie's house for team and spouses. It was lovely to toast our accomplishments of 2018 and to anticipate the 2019 campaign in Argentina.
On November 26 the Royal Aeronautical Society awarded a bronze medal to the Perlan team. The awards and medals are recognized as “The most prestigious and long-standing awards in global aerospace honoring achievement, innovation and excellence.”
Perlan Project has had so many opportunities to share our story in presentations around the world. 3 in Germany, London, Alaska, California, Nevada. Plus there are already dates scheduled in 2019 at NASA Armstrong, in Maryland, and the Founder's Innovation at Oshkosh to name a few more. The story of an all-volunteer team of enthusiastic experts from various fields of aviation, engineering, computers, marketing, logistics and management really resonates with our Perlan fans.