Sailplane That Soared Higher Than the U-2 Flies at Oshkosh

Perlan 2, the record-setting, high-altitude glider, performed its first flight demo on Tuesday.

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 08:36 AM ET

Verified

The pressurized, high-altitude Perlan 2 sailplane performed a short flight Tuesday at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. [Photo: Thom Patterson]

Key Takeaways:

Perlan 2, the record-setting high-altitude glider, performed its first flight demonstration at EAA AirVenture, towed by its unique Grob Egrett turboprop.
In 2018, Perlan 2 achieved a world record for the highest crewed wingborne subsonic flight at 76,124 feet pressure altitude in Argentina.
The glider is engineered for stratospheric flight, using techniques like wave-soaring and specialized equipment for high altitudes, including a pressurized cabin and oxygen rebreathers.
The Perlan 2 team, with Airbus backing, plans a mission in late July through early September 2023 in Argentina to attempt to reach its 90,000-foot service ceiling, aiming for a new world altitude record and scientific research.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Perlan 2, the record-setting, pressurized high-altitude glider, performed its first flight demonstration at EAA AirVenture Tuesday, with help from the flight test team’s unique Grob Egrett turboprop.

During previous visits to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Perlan 2 was featured in the static display, but this year, chief pilot Jim Payne and chief engineer Morgan Sandercock finally took the opportunity to showcase the flight characteristics of this unique sailplane.