jeb@eisx.UUCP (06/28/83)
The following article is copied from the June issue of SOARING: Paul Bickle's absolute world altitude record of 46,267 feet has stood since February 25, 1961. To make sure it remains an American record, a new organization is now aiming to hoist it above the 50,000-foot mark. A group of soaring enthusiasts has formed an organization called Flight Level 500 to ascend to that height in a specially-equipped Grob G-103 Twin II (Twin Astir) which features advanced instrumentation and full pressure suits for both crew members. Test flights to prove the equipment already have begun in the Sierra wave, from a base at Tehachapi, california. With modern aircraft and especially modern life-support systems, Flight Level 500 anticipates being able to maintain a test team at great heights for prolonged periods. The group is soliciting commercial business from firms requiring testing at, or sampling of, high altitude environments. A third goal of the group, in addition to research and record flights, is to develop a better understanding of flight at altitude and to prepare improved educational materials which can be used to introduce more soaring pilots to the upper levels of the atmosphere.