Perlan Project and Argentine Air Force Team Up to Set New Aviation Altitude World Record

The Perlan Project, a U.S. nonprofit dedicated to expanding the horizons of high-altitude flight, weather, and climate change research, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Argentina’s General Directorate of Research and Development of the Air Force.

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Both entities will work together to augment and consolidate knowledge accumulated from the Airbus Perlan Mission II initiative, striving to set a new aviation altitude world record over Patagonia this winter.

The Perlan 2, an engineless pressurized glider managed by The Perlan Project, and the Grob Egrett G-520 tow plane, under the control of AV Experts, LLC, will be the primary tools used in collecting essential scientific data. The data gathered from the Perlan 2 will aid researchers and scientists worldwide and will be freely accessible on the Perlan Project’s website.

Ambitious in its aim, the Perlan 2 is poised to set a new record for piloted level flight at 90,000 feet this year. The international group of aviation experts propelling this project plans to commence flights aimed at achieving this unprecedented feat within the next month. The flights will be based out of El Calafate Comandante Armando Tola International Airport in El Calafate, Argentina.

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Efficiency is key in this mission. The Egrett, a high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft, will be used to tow the Perlan 2 glider through the lower atmosphere quickly, allowing more time for stratospheric exploration and data collection.

The Perlan team is no stranger to breaking records. It has previously set four aviation world records with the Perlan 2 and will attempt to exceed its current record of over 76,124 feet, established in 2018. The Egrett also holds a world record for the highest aerial tow.

The path-breaking project is backed by a coalition of top science, aerospace, and technology companies, along with experts from around the globe.

The collaboration agreement between the two parties was signed on Monday, July 17th, at the General Directorate of Research and Development of the Cóndor building, with representatives from the Argentine Air Force and the Perlan Project present.