Posted on 09/14/2016 10:03:33 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
The expedition, known as Perlan Mission II, aims to take the glider up to an elevation of 90,000 feet (27,000 meters). The project is more than an attempt at aviation history; it's designed to study the layers of Earth's atmosphere. The researchers plan to fly the glider on a series of flights to measure electromagnetic fields, pressure, ozone and methane levels, and more.
If conditions are right and the flight is successful, Perlan would surpass the world altitude record for a fixed-wing aircraft. The current record of 85,068 feet (25,929 m) was set 50 years ago by the SR-71 Blackbird, a jet-powered spy plane, National Geographic reported. Unlike the Blackbird, the Perlan glider would achieve the feat without a drop of fuel.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
...ping....
It said nothing about air breathing, and technically neither is the glider, it said for fixed winged aircraft. You could say the space shuttle went even higher, but at those altitudes it isn't "flying".
“What are the requirements of this record? “
Sustained level flight.
This is non-powered, unlike the U2. Riding winds and thermals off the Andes.
Not thermals but slope lift. Just have to stay out of the rotor clouds.
I believe you are considered an astronaut at greater than 100,000 feet for the record books. U-2 might have gotten there, a few SR71 flights, altitude record attempts by the X15 got astronaut qual’ed.
So that free-fall balloonist also got his astronaut “wings” .. Star maybe?
Not quite thermals, wave lift from some steady winds across the high peaks of the Andes-
Sustained level flight.
No it's a glider - no “level” flight required.
The record height is the peak recorded height they reach, even if it is for one second...:^)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.