Blog posts | Perlan Project

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Blog

Perlan’s blog collects the thoughts and experiences of team members from the multiple disciplines needed to build and prepare the aircraft, plan the flight, and carry out the mission. Here, you’ll find insights from the designers, craftspeople, pilots, meteorologists, and support personnel who will make Perlan’s record ascents a reality. Perlan’s blog will be an opportunity to delve into the challenges and triumphs that travel with the giant sailplane.

Sponsors Get a First Look at Perlan 2

Several of Perlan 2 sponsors and donors were on hand at Oshkosh to get a first look at the new glider.

Airbus Perlan 2 Presentation at Oshkosh

On the first morning of EAA AirVenture 2015 the team gave a presentation about Perlan 2. Ken McKenzie from Airbus, Stephane Fymat, Ed Warnock, Jim Payne, and Dennis Tito spoke to a good size crowd. History, build, test plans, weather, education and Argentina scouting reports were addressed. The mood of the audience went from disbelief to skeptical to amazed during the course of the presentation!

Airbus Perlan 2 Assembly at Oshkosh

So what do you do when assembling a big new glider? Answer: First assemble all the experienced help you can!

Thanks to all folks including from Airbus, RDD, EAA AirVenture, and of course our stalwart Perlan team. The trailer from Cobra made it a familiar process for us. The two steel sawhorses with castering wheels on loan from RDD made it safe. The many pairs of hands made each of those 350 pound wings manageable. Thanks everyone for a smooth, professional assembly!

On Our Way to Oshkosh

The Perlan 2 is finally on the road to Oshkosh. There was a lot of work done over the last few days by RDD and the Perlan team members. The trailer from Cobra fitted the glider perfectly, which is quite remarkable since Cobra have only ever seen pictures of the glider. The measurements we sent them worked out fine. Of course the actual process of getting all the bolts tightened and adjusted took a lot of work.

Cobra Trailer in Redmond

Cobra Trailer, Tuesday, July 14, 2015 in Redmond, OR.

The Perlan 2 will be loaded into the trailer for the trip to Oshkosh, EAA Airventure 2015, where it will be on display.

From the side view you can see that the wheels are placed forward of the mid-point for balance.

Open Airbrake RDD Rigging Checks

Airbrakes test for control linkage clearance and correct deployment.

The Perlan 2 with the wings on

Friday, July 10, 2015 the wings went on the Perlan2. On Saturday, July 11 the tips were put on the end of the wings.

The crew has been rigging the control systems and checking the freedom of movement and routing.

Rigging the aircraft does require some strong individuals. Because of the curve of the spar root, the tip must be lifted quite high, so the spat can curve into place.

Once on, the wings do not need much support with the cradle in place. The main tire was off the ground by a couple inches in the photos.

Rigging Support

Wings going on for final control linkage fabrication and rigging.

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