On 11 August 2023 Perlan 2 took to the skies over Patagonia. We were prepared to soar high - if the forecasts were wrong about no soarable lift until 60,000 feet. Well, we proved the forecasts were correct. Best achieved lift was only 3 knots for only a few minutes....
When you are in a remote location communication devices don't always work as expected. That's why some Perlan Project team members have worked several days to understand the idiosyncrasies of emergency communications for 2023 (if ever needed). Thanks to Sandra, Tago,...
This morning with 2 inches of fresh snow overnight I would not have given a chance to get a flight off. I would have been wrong. Jim asked for best efforts from the entire team and we delivered. A shakedown flight with the world's most complex glider is far...
We were ready for a Airbus Perlan Mission II Dress Rehearsal yesterday, before the snow arrived today. For the past few days the Perlan Team has fine tuned all glider systems and support teams. Tim Gardner and John Kregl replaced a control rod end in the wing. With...
Today was a great day since we got the Perlan 2 rigged in El Calafate! The day started with a beautiful sunrise. (However: Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning....) Although the hangar is super-sized we still need the doors open to rig the 84 foot wing span....
To prep the Airbus Perlan Mission II team for a successful Patagonia campaign in 2023 takes an incredible amount of exacting work in very cold conditions. There is no room for error. We've done this four previous years and we know to be thorough and meticulous. It...
Today featured several milestones for the start of '23 Campaign for Airbus Perlan Mission II. We began the frigid morning with a customs inspection of the container, which we passed with "flying colors." The customs seal was encased in ice from the 2,000 mile winter...
Finally in late July '23 the Airbus Perlan Mission II is gathering in El Calafate! It's winter in Patagonia and the Andes mountain roads have been closed many, many days. But the Perlan container arrived in early June to Mendoza to beat the worst of the winter...
When Airbus Perlan Mission II conducts a "high" tech campaign in remote Patagonia we must take everything we need plus any spares with us. We started packing in April. The glider trailer was designed to fit into a standard 40 foot shipping container - as long as we...
Perlan 2 Flies at Minden Airbus Perlan Mission II is preparing to soar high over Patagonia once again in 2023. Perlan Project was on hiatus during the Covid era 2020-2022. To be ready to soar again in the stratospheric wave above 40,000 feet we needed Return to...
For Airbus Perlan Mission II, the Egrett team makes it possible to soar to record heights. The Perlan Project was organized to investigate stratospheric waves above 35,000 feet. Below that altitude, the tropospheric wave has been much more explored and understood....
Flight #73 – Perlan Soars to 60,300 Feet On August 23, 2023 Airbus Perlan Mission II had the potential for a high flight. Conditions were nowhere near ideal, but had some forecasted hot spots that might connect for extended climbs. Part of our mission is to validate...
As a non-profit aviation organization The Perlan Project is “highly” appreciative of all our in-kind sponsors over the years. In 2022-2023 we received new support from earlier sponsors and brand new support. The list is so impressive for our non-profit organization...
On 11 August 2023 Perlan 2 took to the skies over Patagonia. We were prepared to soar high - if the forecasts were wrong about no soarable lift until 60,000 feet. Well, we proved the forecasts were correct. Best achieved lift was only 3 knots for only a few minutes....
When you are in a remote location communication devices don't always work as expected. That's why some Perlan Project team members have worked several days to understand the idiosyncrasies of emergency communications for 2023 (if ever needed). Thanks to Sandra, Tago,...
This morning with 2 inches of fresh snow overnight I would not have given a chance to get a flight off. I would have been wrong. Jim asked for best efforts from the entire team and we delivered. A shakedown flight with the world's most complex glider is far...