While we were waiting for the Egrett tow plane to arrive, it was finally time to orchestrate a dress rehearsal for a Perlan 2 wave flight from El Calafate. The max pressure test had been successful. The to-do list of preparation was almost all checked off. Systems had been checked individually since arriving in Patagonia. But we needed to test if all systems worked together, particularly the new upgrades.
We tested that the Perlan designed telemetry up and down links connected, that the brakes worked, that the Garmin GDL backup artificial horizon displayed properly, that the flutter data can be sent to CapComm and then to ATA in San Diego, that our new Warming Store heated clothing worked on new dedicated panel outlets, and that both tail cameras (Sony and Garmin 360) displayed in each respective cockpit. We also tested the Iridium sat phone communication, the LX-9000 satellite reception, and the Trig radio intercom and communication with ground support.
We had the lowest air pressure leak rate we have ever recorded in almost an hour of ramp-time testing. ATA said all 8 channels showed clear data – a sweep and 2 manual excitation raps. All of this preparation has been documented by Jamie Darcy from Airbus and his video crew from Buenos Aires. The team is ready, the glider is ready so bring on the wave! Perlan Soars! Jackie
