Perlan 2 Glider breaks world altitude record for gliders (CNET News)

The Airbus Perlan 2 Glider is reaching for the stars and earlier in September broke a longstanding high-altitude record for engineless flight. The Airbus Perlan Mission II is an initiative to fly a glider to the edge of space, with a goal of reaching 90,000 feet.

[efoxxok]

From the mid 70’s through the late 80’s I was privileged to own along with my father the aircraft that set the world altitude record in 1963, the Schweitzer 1:23e. A one off version that set the record of 46000ft in 1963.
I believe it still holds the record for altitude gained in flight as it’s release point from the tow plane was some 7000 ft for an altitude gain of 39000ft.
Today that plane resides in a museum in Chino Calif. seeing this brings back memories.

[wenbornwilliam]

gliding is not a sport many people think it is, we can fly distances of 3000km in 15 hours and we can go up 10km just using thermal air, and no motor. What these guys are doing is impressive.

[ulrichkalber]

for everyone who likes meters more than feet:
that is 15902, 026 m.

[LarsBohr]

Jim Payne and Tim Gardner reached an altitude of 76, 124 ft a year later in this aircraft.

[MrAnonymousme]

So glider is just an air surf board? Neat

[farrider]

What am impressive design the glider has 🥇
And the wing span 🤤 °

[gallouelenegallouelne]

Just imagine flying on a plane and seeing a glider fly by

[householdnamenyc]

Congratulations to Airbus/Perlan Project recently named a finalist for the Collier Trophy “for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America in 2017.” Past project recipients include the B-52, Boeing 747, Cessna Citation, the F-22, and International Space Station!

[indridcold]

The American airforce Lockheed U2 Dragon Lady is feeling a bit nervous and is watching tentatively

[wordreet]

Surprised to see that unsightly and draggy landing wheel and fairing.

[JerkerDahlblom]

Wiki : On 2 September 2018, Jim Payne and Tim Gardner reached an altitude of 76, 124 ft (23, 203 m)

[jamesford]

Steve Fossett RIP. A Legend in all things related to Bernoulli. All records are meant to be broken and Steve broke a lot of them.

[Lele_MHR]

Imagine diving -90° from 90k feet at supersonic speeds

[garypatton]

That's impressive by any standard

[Techno-Universal]

They could possibly also eventually set the record for the longest distance glided in an engineless aircraft! :)

[NeoFrontierTechnologies]

Awsome ! Never knew a glider could get that high...

[stephenwalton]

That’s a sailplane. The prototype STS Enterprise was a glider.

[antoniescargo]

Feet. I have to calculate to meters. When I am ready the video is over.

[Skoda]

How do you actively pressurize a glider?

[derekwall]

52, 000 feet thats pretty awesome for unpowered flyin