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Perlan 2 Glider Breaks Altitude Record

The Perlan 2 glider caught the mountain waves of the Patagonia mountain range to break the high altitude record. Perlan Mission II
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Key Takeaways:

  • The Perlan 2 high-altitude glider set a new world record by flying past 62,000 feet, exceeding the Armstrong Line.
  • Chief pilot Jim Payne and project manager Morgan Sandercock broke their own previous record of 52,221 feet set in the same region.
  • A new tow plane, the Grob Egrett G520 turboprop, enabled the glider to be released at a much higher altitude of 42,000 feet, facilitating the record climb.
  • The Perlan Mission II team aims for even higher altitudes, as the glider is designed for 90,000 feet and significant lifting forces are present in Patagonia until mid-September.
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The Perlan 2 high altitude glider has achieved another altitude record over the high peaks in the southern part of the Patagonia mountain range. After being pulled to an altitude of 42,000 feet, the Perlan 2 continued to climb past 62,000 feet. This altitude is beyond the Armstrong Line, which defines the point beyond which the blood in a human body would boil unless protected by some form of pressurization.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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