Sat, Mar 15, 2003
Flight Shortened By Transponder Failure
Pilots Steve Fossett and Einar Enevoldson took the
Perlan high-altitude research glider on its first 2003 probe of the
'mountain wave' meteorological phenomena this afternoon, in their
attempt on the 49,009' World Glider Altitude Record set in 1986 by
Bob Harris, but had to cut short the planned 5 hour mission over
the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range after only 1 hour when the
transponder - which automatically transmits the aircraft's altitude
- failed to accurately report to the ground.
ATC Said "No."
Although not a safety issue on board the glider, without
accurate transponder reporting the pair could not get permission
from Air Traffic Control to continue above 18,000'. Their flight
path today was 40 miles N of California City, just NW of Inyokern,
about 50 miles S of Mt Whitney - taking them over areas under the
authority of Edwards Air Force Base.
Describing The Symptoms
"We're puzzling over this," said Fossett. "We've got to try to
fix this so we can take advantage of the excellent conditions
forecast over the weekend. We may be back as early as (Saturday)
morning, but I'm not yet ready to declare a record attempt. We'll
need to trouble-shoot the device now and do a test flight without
pressure suits first to check the system." Fossett had no
prediction on how long that process would take.
NASA forecaster Ed Teets predicted good weather for the
remainder of the weekend. "The wave is good - and getting better
all through the weekend."
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]