Perlan’s long time Chief Executive Officer, Ed Warnock, peacefully passed away on Tuesday. During his 82 years, he lived a full life. He served in the U.S. Air Force, pursued his dream of flying as a bush pilot in Africa, raised a wonderful family, and was a respected professor. His crowning achievement was his critical contributions to the Perlan Project. In the world of aerospace it is rare to be a CEO of a project from the beginning to the end. Ed served 16 years at the helm of Perlan and was there from the early planning to retirement of the Perlan 2. Thank you, Ed, for making all of our lives better through your service to the Perlan Project and the way you respected and treated everyone involved. You were one of the most positive and optimistic people we have ever known. We will not forget your smile. We will be forever grateful for everything you did to help the Perlan Project innovate, explore, and inspire. -Jim Payne, Chairman of the Board

We extend our most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Ed Warnock for his extraordinary leadership and service as CEO of The Perlan Project. We are honored that Ed is now our CEO Emeritus and that Dr. Elizabeth Austin has agreed to be the new CEO of Perlan. She will be joined in her leadership by Michael Battalia, who has accepted the position of President, and Jim Payne, who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. Ed has been a tireless advocate for Perlan, advancing aerospace, science, and knowledge of the stratosphere. Under his leadership, Perlan has carried on Einar Enevoldson's vision, pushing the boundaries of stratospheric research, demonstrating the power of innovation, exploration, and inspiration. Beyond his contributions to Perlan, Ed's lifelong commitment to aerospace and education has inspired countless individuals. As a professor, mentor, collaborator with Teachers in Space, and champion of STEM education, he has dedicated himself to developing the next generation of explorers, scientists, engineers, and innovators. Ed's impact reaches far beyond any single achievement. His work has advanced scientific discovery, expanded opportunities for learning, and strengthened humanity's pursuit of knowledge through aerospace research and exploration. Thank you, Ed, for your vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication to inspiring future generations while advancing our understanding of the world above us. Your contributions to Perlan, aviation, science, and education will continue to leave a lasting legacy for years to come. #PerlanProject #Soaring #Aviation #STEM #Aerospace #Innovation #Leadership #ClimateScience

Warm holiday wishes to you from the Perlan Project

How far can we push science to the edge of the stratosphere when autonomous gliders lead the way? We’re advancing our mission, expanding our capabilities, and pursuing bold new research opportunities. More about what lies ahead > perlanproject.org/perlan-pro…

Honoring a Legacy in Aerospace Arne Vasenden, the record-setting Grob Egrett pilot of the tow for Perlan 2, was inducted this weekend into the @UofNorthDakota’s Aerospace Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Arne! We’re proud to have been part of this journey and grateful for team Egrett’s contributions as we inspire the next generation of aerospace explorers. Watch Arne in action during #AirbusPerlanMissionII in 2018

And then it happened--new WORLD RECORD! On Sept. 2, 2018, history was made above Patagonia. @Airbus Perlan Mission II soared 76,124 ft (23,203 m), a record set for any subsonic, wing-borne, crewed human flight. What happened that day? Find out. Blog > perlanproject.org/perlan-2-s… Video > youtu.be/_hk7JcKMrkk?si=tjOt… #AirbusPerlanMissionII

Imaginations take flight in the Perlan mockup! Discovery Day: Wings and Wheels at Minden-Tahoe Airport brought many curious kids and big dreams together this Sunday. We loved hosting so many explorers. #AirbusPerlanMissionII #Aerospace #soaring

What aerosols are in the highest reaches of our atmosphere? @NASA utilizes satellites, ground measurements, and computer models to track these tiny airborne particles. Perlan Project is presently evaluating high-altitude aerosol sampling and research on our next campaign in Argentina. Check out NASA’s stunning interactive 3D model tracking aerosols ➡️ svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5552/ Credits: NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office and NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

#BacktoSchool is almost here and @NASA has some great #STEM opportunities for students. Link below.

It's #EarthDay2025. 🌎From soaring mountain waves to silent skies miles above the Earth, exploring the atmosphere gives us a rare perspective—one that reminds us how remarkable our planet truly is. Image from a 360 degree camera taken during #AirbusPerlanMissionII in 2017.

Did you hear the news? Congratulations to the outstanding Parker Solar Probe Team led by @NASA and @JHUAPL on winning the @NatlAero 2024 Robert J. Collier Trophy. More > bit.ly/4ibjkpj We were honored to be among such incredible Collier Trophy candidates as part of our work with @Airbus in support of Blue Condor.

Did you see the news? It's an honor to work with @Airbus in support of Blue Condor, exploring the possibilities of future hydrogen-powered aircraft. And now, it's an honor for Blue Condor to be in the running for the @NatlAero Collier Trophy! More > naa.aero/greatest-aerospace-…

Yes, that’s right. We’ve soared in the polar vortex and in the ozone hole--not to mention higher than the U-2. Learn more about our innovative work at the @Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest, CA, through Feb. 28. maturango.org

Perlan Project volunteer Stormi Noll is headed to the @ametsoc meeting with an important question for attendees: How might our missions in southern Argentina benefit specific atmospheric research projects? Noll will share more about the gravity waves observed during our missions. #AMS2025 More> bit.ly/40a8icO

🎄 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Perlan Project. May the new year lift you to new heights! 🎉

From the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk to space! It's awe-inspiring how aviation & aerospace have advanced since Dec. 17, 1903, when the Wright brothers made their first powered flight. On this anniversary, we look back to the first #flight of the Perlan 2 spaceglider on Sept. 23, 2015. #AirbusPerlanMissionII

Congratulations to Miguel A. Iturmendi-Copado! The Perlan alumnus received a high honor: the Louis Bleriot Medal from @airsports_fai for his powered airplane world record of 4,959 meters in altitude in C-1b Group 6 (electric) on June 2, 2023 in Minden, Nev. It was presented in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November. Read on: lnkd.in/eEu6bQmX

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Congratulations to Greg Principato, the new president of @airsports_fai! @greg_otto

🇺🇸 Happy #VeteransDay! Today we honor and celebrate Veterans including our Veterans on the Perlan Project team: Einar Enevoldson; Alan Lawless; Stormi Noll; Jim Payne; Stewart Tattersall, and Ed Warnock.