On February 13, 2016 we installed neon orange tufts of yarn on the right wing. It was time for some confirmation of airflow patterns over the wings. The wide angle Sony video camera would document air flow and characteristics approaching stall. Jim and Miguel Iturmendi launched into calm winds behind Silvio Ricardi in SoaringNV's trusty Pawnee tow plane. This time we have posted some awesome in-flight photos. Everything performed as expected.
BoneHead Composites is sponsoring the flight crew of Perlan 2. They have sent 10 helmets from size Small to XXLarge for the comfort and safety on all Perlan 2 missions. Jim Payne has worn a BH helmet on all short test flights of the Perlan 2. He has also worn a BoneHead helmet for over 7 hours in a different glider. He says it is extremely comfortable with clear voice reception.
Airbus Group and Perlan Project held a productive quarterly meeting in Minden on January 29, 2016. As always the Perlan 2 glider was the primary focus of the meeting. Public presentations from IMAX, No Right Brain Left Behind, Discovery, Science Committee, KiloPapaYankee wave clothing, and BioMarine re-breather system were highlights. Afterwards Laurie and Silvio Ricardi hosted a scrumptious buffet at the Carson Valley Inn. Photos from Viktor Venson and Jackie Payne
On January 15, 2016, Mark Harvie, president of Omni Medical Systems visited the Perlan hangar. He was there to sponsor the Perlan flight crew with range extender relief systems. These high tech pump assisted urinary systems will allow Perlan pilots to be comfortable for the entire 8 hour mission. Mark and Rick Arnold briefed the team on system operation.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
An open house was held from 10:00 AM to Noon for individuals who missed the official ribbon cutting of the Dennis Tito Perlan Hangar: About 30 visitors came including 10 students that are part of the Minden Build-A-Plane project.
January 15, 2016
The Perlan 2 completed two perfect test flights today from Minden, NV. The weather was clear and calm and above freezing-just what you want for early test flights!
December 9, 2015 - The sponsors and volunteers behind Airbus Perlan Mission II, an initiative to soar an engineless glider to the edge of space, celebrated today the opening of the new Dennis Tito Perlan 2 Hangar at Minden/Tahoe Municipal Airport. The ceremony marked the start of a critical flight test program to prepare for a record-breaking flight in 2016 when project pilots will ride air currents to 90,000 feet, opening up new discoveries in high-altitude flight, climate change and space exploration.
On Monday, December 7, 2015, Grafics Unlimited installers arrived to put the graphics on the Perlan 2 and the trailer that holds the Perlan 2 for travel.
Installation went to well thanks to the help of the Minden-Tahoe Airport staff who arranged for the Perlan 2 and the trailer to be in a heated hanger near the new Dennis Tito's Perlan Hangar.
Here are pictures of the sponsor logos that were installed: