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Phase 1 Glider
Perlan 1
Modified standard production glider with pressure suits.
Manufacturer: DG Flugzeugbau
Type: DG505M
Year: 2000(?)
Wingspan: 20m (65 feet)
Crew: 2
- Wide cockpit
- Certified to carry heavy loads in the fuselage
- Self-launching (motorised)
- Engine removed and replaced with liquid oxygen dewars (vacuum flasks)
- Scientific instruments installed
- Flight instruments installed
- Non-rechargable "primary" batteries fitted
- Double-wall canopy glazing
- Emergency drogue parachute
The crew must wear Air Force pressure suits in the unpressurized cabin. The maximum altitude possible with this configuration was calculated as 62,000 feet.
Result:On August 30th, 2006, pilots Steve Fossett and Einar Enevoldson set a world-record altitude for gliders of 50,671 feet (15,447 m). This has provided the team with valuable information that will be used in the construction of the Perlan 2 glider.
