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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
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Perlan 2 high-altitude glider achieved a new altitude record, climbing past 62,000 feet over the Patagonia mountain range, exceeding the Armstrong Line.
  • This record was set by chief pilot Jim Payne and project manager Morgan Sandercock, surpassing their previous record of 52,221 feet.
  • A new Grob Egrett G520 turboprop tow plane, which also broke a record in its own right, enabled the glider to be released at much higher altitudes.
  • The Perlan Mission II team remains in Argentina until mid-September and aims to reach altitudes as high as 90,000 feet.
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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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