Perlan Project - technical podcast
 

Excellent technical talk by Jim Payne, the Chief Pilot, about the Perlan glider.

At FL900, Vso is 40 kts, Vne is 54 kts!

“Watch your attitude, Bloggs!”

EAA?s The Green Dot ? Jim Payne ? EAA Blog

Vso and Vne coincide at FL960. There is an interesting discussion about why 100,000’ was not a feasible design goal.

Glider altitude records since 1986

Very interesting indeed!

I had been following the project on and off since 2006 and your post triggered me to look into it again and compile some historic context.

19860217
Robert R. Harris (USA)
Grob G102 Open Class Glider
California, USA
Altitude record 49,009 ft / 14,938 m, ratified FAI (superseded since approved)

20060830
Steve Fosset (USA) & Einar Enevoldson (USA)
Modified DG 505M
Self-launch engine-propeller unit removed
Long duration oxigen supply system installed in engine bay
US Airforce Supplied Pressure Suits, Rebreather Oxigen System
Patagonia, Argentina
Altitude record 50,671 ft / 15,470 m, ratified FAI (current record)

20170903
James M. Payne (USA) & Morgan Sandercock (Australia)
Purpose-built Perlan 2 Glider
Pressurized Cockpit, 8.5 psi pressure differential (ca 580 hPa)
Wing profile for Low Reynolds Numbers
Patagonia, Argentina
Altitude Record 52,172 ft / 15900 m, dossier under review for ratification
by FAI (Féderation Aéronautique Internationale)
https://www.fai.org/record/teamcrew-18248
Perlan 2 Project ultimate aim = 90,000 ft

(some minor altitude discrepancies found among websites Perlan Project and FAI,
other than feet/meters conversions prob due to QNE/QNH differences)

Other interesting reading, on Robert Harris, LA Times article 1987:
Legal, Safety Issues Track Glider Pilot's Record Flight - latimes

jr