Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Airbus Perlan Mission II surpasses U-2 altitude record

Aerospace

Airbus Perlan Mission II surpasses U-2 altitude record

For the third time in a week, Airbus Perlan Mission II has set a new world altitude record for a glider, taking the engineless Perlan 2 to 76,124 feet - surpassing the record set by the famous (powered and piloted) U-2 recon plane in 1989 - and in the process collected vital data on flight performance, weather and the atmosphere.


 
Yesterday’s flight by pilots Jim Payne and Tim Gardner surpasses even the maximum recorded altitude in level flight of the US Air Force’s famous U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft: 73,737 feet, flown by pilot Jerry Hoyt on 17 April 1989.
 
The U-2 is powered by an engine that generates 17,000 lbs. of thrust. By contrast, the Perlan 2 is engineless, weighs just 1,500 pounds, and soars to its record altitudes on rare stratospheric air currents formed by mountain winds combining with the Polar Vortex.  

Advertisement
ODU RT

 
“World records are gratifying evidence of progress toward a goal, but the goal itself is advancing our knowledge and expertise,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO. “By exploring an underexplored part of the atmosphere, Perlan is teaching us about efficient high-altitude flight, about detecting natural sources of lift and avoiding turbulence, and even about the viability of wing-borne exploration of Mars. As a company that makes not just airliners but also high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles such as Zephyr as well as the Mars rover robotic vehicle, every Perlan flight is an investment in our future.”
 
In a single week, Perlan has set and then surpassed a world altitude record three times:
 
•    Aug. 26, 2018: Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock soar to 63,100 feet, besting the record of 54,000 feet set by Airbus Perlan Mission II on Sept. 3, 2017
•    Aug. 28, 2018: Jim Payne and Miguel Iturmendi reach 65,600 feet
•    Sept. 2, 2018: Jim Payne and Tim Gardner climb to 76,124 feet
 
The overall altitude record for level flight of a manned airplane is held by the SR-71 Blackbird at 85,069 feet. The pressurized Perlan 2 glider is designed to fly to 90,000 feet, conditions permitting.
Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

 
Airbus Perlan Mission II will continue its 2018 flying season through mid-September, when the season for stratospheric mountain waves in the southern hemisphere begins to die down, and the all-volunteer Perlan Project team will return from Patagonia to homes in the US and around the world. The number of flights remaining will be determined by weather conditions.
 
Viewers around the world are following Perlan flights live as they occur on the Airbus Perlan Mission II Virtual Cockpit: http://bit.ly/VirtualPerlan2 . The Virtual Cockpit shows the glider’s altitude, airspeed, remaining oxygen, map position and even live streaming video from a camera in the tail when the aircraft is in range.
 
To be alerted when Perlan is flying, go to: www.perlanproject.org/contact

 

Sir Andrew Haines appointed Chair of Cranfield University Council

Aerospace

Sir Andrew Haines appointed Chair of Cranfield University Council

6 August 2025

Sir Andrew Haines has been appointed as the new Chair of Cranfield University’s Council, taking up the role in November.

Caerdav and AerCap sign new maintenance agreement

Aerospace

Caerdav and AerCap sign new maintenance agreement

6 August 2025

St Athan based MRO provider Caerdav has signed a General Terms Agreement with AerCap, the world’s largest aviation leasing company, to deliver a range of maintenance services across their aircraft portfolio.

Wall Colmonoy to open advanced vacuum casting furnace

Aerospace Defence

Wall Colmonoy to open advanced vacuum casting furnace

6 August 2025

Wales-based Wall Colmonoy is soon to open one of the most advanced commercially available equiaxed vacuum casting furnaces in the UK, developed with Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) funding through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).

Smiths Detection acquires Med Graphix

Aerospace Security

Smiths Detection acquires Med Graphix

5 August 2025

Smiths Detection today announced its acquisition of New Jersey-based Med Graphix Inc. (MGI), enhancing the company’s sustainable service offering by extending the lifecycle of critical components through repair, refurbishment and reuse.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
IFS partners with Climatiq

Aerospace

IFS partners with Climatiq

5 August 2025

IFS has announced a strategic partnership with carbon intelligence platform Climatiq, embedding the Climatiq data engine in a new Emissions Management module within IFS Cloud.

B&H Worldwide appoints Matthew Warrington as COO

Aerospace

B&H Worldwide appoints Matthew Warrington as COO

5 August 2025

B&H Worldwide has appointed Matthew Warrington as its new Chief Commercial Officer (COO), effective 1st August 2025.

Advertisement
ODU RT