New Glider Altitude Record

[Bill Bridges]

Hi Ralph,
I’ve flown aerial mapping flights at 25K in an unpressurized Cessna 411 long ago. Even with a diluter demand system scared the bejesus out’a me<g>. I guy can catch a case of stupid then dead real quick up there<ng>.

Regards,
Tom Charlton

One of my Army buddies talks about high altitude mapping using a Mohawk.

[Tom Charlton]

And I thought I did a good one with 32,000...

Hi Ralph,
I’ve flown aerial mapping flights at 25K in an unpressurized Cessna 411 long ago. Even with a diluter demand system scared the bejesus out’a me<g>. I guy can catch a case of stupid then dead real quick up there<ng>.

Regards,
Tom Charlton

[Tom Charlton]

76,100 feet

Hi Ray,
Yup, been watch’n this endeavor for awhile. Shoot’n for 90K . . . boggles the mind.
The concept of being at these kinds of altitudes, sans pressure suit, is beyond scary.
Don’t’cha know, at the true airspeeds they need to fly, they got’a be flirt’n with control surface flutter with attendant loss of the vehicle.

Regards,
Tom Charlton (who’d need to be proffered a huge pile of cash to do what they’re doing)

[Ralph Jones]

And I thought I did a good one with 32,000...

[Ray Tackett]