In the early 1990s, NASA test pilot Einar Enevoldson set out to prove that gliders could catch mountain waves and soar to extreme altitudes. With the Perlan Mission, Enevoldson set out with a very ambitious goal: to soar into the stratosphere – the atmospheric layer between the troposphere and the mesosphere. On August 30, 2006, Enevoldson together with record-setter Steve Fossett, flew the Perlan I beyond 50,000 feet, breaking the altitude record for gliders at that time.
Perlan 2 Glider Soars Beyond 76,000 Feet
Key Takeaways:
- The Perlan Mission, founded by Einar Enevoldson, aims to achieve extreme altitudes in gliders by utilizing mountain waves to reach the stratosphere.
- In 2006, the Perlan I glider, flown by Enevoldson and Steve Fossett, broke the altitude record for gliders at the time, reaching over 50,000 feet.
- The Perlan 2 glider recently set a new world record on September 3, soaring to an astonishing 76,124 feet, surpassing previous records and the U2 spy plane's altitude.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
