Aircraft
Airbus Statospheric Glider Headed to Andes
Last year’s AirVenture star on its way for further high-altitude testing.
The stratospheric Airbus Perlan Mission II pressurized glider appeared at last year's EAA AirVenture. (Photo: Matt Thurber)
The stratospheric Airbus Perlan Mission II pressurized glider appeared at last year's EAA AirVenture. (Photo: Matt Thurber)

One of the stars of last year’s EAA AirVenture show will not making a return visit for 2016. Instead, the stratospheric Airbus Perlan Mission II pressurized glider is currently at sea, on a container ship headed for its next round of testing in El Calafate, Argentina. It left Minden, Nev., earlier this month “after a successful flight-test program,” according to the company, and will explore mountain waves in Patagonia as the next chapter in its development.