December 12th, 2008
The Perlan has flown for the first time in the X-Plane simulator. It is possible to calculate stability derivatives and control power but you get a much more immediate impression of the plane by flying it, even in a simulation. It is immediately obvious that the Perlan requires a lot of rudder to keep it straight.
- On tow heading out of El Calafate
The X-Plane simulator runs on PC or Macintosh and it allows you to design your own aircraft and fly it very quickly. There is a large community of people developing airplanes and even scenery. The detailed model of El Calafate has been created for X-Plane and it is available as a free download.
Circling over the El Calafate terminal
The Perlan model needs a bit more work but it will be available soon so that you can download it and fly on your computer at home. Eventually we expect to be able to include the Naval Research Laboratory model of the atmosphere on the day of the previous record flight so you can see how high you can fly.
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November 18th, 2008
After more than a year of low activity, the Perlan project has secured fresh funding and is able to start construction on the Phase 2 glider. Morgan Sandercock, a glider pilot from Australia, has agreed to fund the construction of the pressurised fuselage. More money will be required in the next 2 years to construct the wings and transport the glider to Argentina.
Morgan (right) and Einar shake hands on the deal
This website will be updated with more information on Phase 2 and we expect to be able to provide more frequent Blog updates, so check back soon.
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September 4th, 2007
CNN is reporting that a massive search is underway for Steve Fossett. He was last seen last evening leaving the Hilton Ranch flying a Citabria. The terrain in that region of western Nevada/eastern California is very remote and mountainous.
We are all wishing for Steve’s safe return!
The Perlan Team
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August 14th, 2006
Perlan pilots Steve Fossett and Einar Enevoldson and the rest of the Perlan Team are preparing for the 2006 season in El Calafate, Argentina.Some of the team is headed for Argentina already.
The Perlan Team has chosen to fly during the 4-week period from August 27 - September 24, 2006. The site chosen to base out of is again El Calafate, Argentina (as was the site in 2005).
The polar vortex is built up and mature over the southern hemisphere at this time (lower right image). We will keep this site updated on the weather conditions as the flying season approaches.
This website will be updated as the season nears and as the team prepares to leave for Argentina!
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June 15th, 2002
The Perlan Team will be heading for the South Island of New Zealand to stage out of Omarama some time between June 15th - August 31st, 2002. The following images show the stage location.
New Zealand Complete Island
New Zealand South Island
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