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.
The Perlan has flown for the first time in the X-Plane simulator. It is possible to calculate stability derivatives and control power but you get a much more immediate impression of the plane by flying it, even in a simulation. It is immediately obvious that the Perlan requires a lot of rudder to keep it straight.
After more than a year of low activity, the Perlan project has secured fresh funding and is able to start construction on the Phase 2 glider. Morgan Sandercock, a glider pilot from Australia, has agreed to fund the construction of the pressurised fuselage. Additional funds will be required in the next two years to construct the wings and transport the glider to Argentina.
In the photo above Morgan (right) and Einar shake hands on the deal.