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....
El Calafate
Communications Exercise Drill
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,...
First Argentina Flight of Perlan 2 in 2023
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...
Airbus Perlan Mission II Dress Rehearsal
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...
Perlan 2 Rigged in El Calafate ’23
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....
The Start of the Season – The Details
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...
Start of ’23 Campaign
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...
El Calafate Arrivals ’23
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...