Talk:Perlan Project

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[edit] Author's note

I (the original author of this article) compiled this summary from the official website and from my own experience with the Perlan Project.

[edit] Comments

The explanation about the Tropopause and its implications for height gain is not only oversimplified (which is understandable in the context of the press-happy source) but also seriously flawed.Francisco de Almeida 16:36, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Could use a bit of revision...

I like this article, it's got all the basic information to it, but I think it's a bit jumbled at present. I'm working on a proposed update that introduces and/or strengthens what I think are a few key points:

• Perlan based on Ed Teets research that shows (unexpectedly) mountain waves propagate into the stratosphere under special conditions. ref tech brief DRC-00-08

• Mountain waves previously studied in the Bob Symons Sierra Wave Project (start stub with refs)

• Challenges of stratospheric flight (physiological, aerodynamic, transonic, structural, logistical, etc) ref to articles on U-2 flights?

• Perlan Chronology

• Wave soaring versus other types (thermal, ridge, etc)

• Relationships between the Perlan project and Steve Fossett and Einar and NASA Dryden.

• Current status in the wake of Steve Fossett disappearance(?) (refs, anybody?)

I'd propose this as an introductory statement:

"The Perlan Project is a current research project to explore atmospheric phenomonae in the troposphere and stratosphere using sailplanes. Altitudes over 50,000 feet have been achieved using a modified two-seat DG-505 production sailplane. Future flights are expected to go as high as 100,000 feet."

and maybe continue with:

"The Perlan project began with reasearch by NASA meterologist Edward H. Teets that studied data from balloon launches conducted in support of other research projects. The data showed substantial vertical air motion in the stratosphere caused by mountain waves. Although mountain waves are usually extinguished at the tropopause, under certain conditions they continue to propagate into the stratosphere. Teets' research studied the special conditions under which mountain waves continue to propagate through the tropopause. It also compared the vertical wind component of the waves with the performance of a hypothetical high performance sailplane with modern aerodynamic and structural characteristics, and concluded that the maximum altitude of such a sailplane lies between 100,000 and 110,000 feet."

Any suggestions? Anybody? Normally, I'd just rip in and edit boldly, but I don't feel like I'm on such solid ground here.

Thanks, bob "BoKu" K. BoKu (talk) 19:40, 21 November 2007 (UTC)