Sailplane reaches 76,100 ft altitude

Folks, if the number doesn't really stagger you, you ain't got a clue! The highest I ever went was 47,000 in an empty C650 and that empty includes fuel. This guy is nearly 30,000 feet higher and only 10,000 feet lower than the SR71 max. operational and normal operational for a U/TR2 spy plane. With no thrust! Bet it was a pretty awesome view.

It must be pretty cold up that high. I wonder how high a sailplane could theoretically sail considering the air gets thinner as altitude increases.

76,100 feet (14.4 miles)...what a rush, what an accomplishment. Beautiful picture and thank you for sharing.

I got to 27,900 years ago above Pikes Peak an I thought that was awesome. 76,100 is just mind blowing. Congrats to everyone involved in this project, it is an amazing feat! I think a new Lennie pin is a must.

To me, the airotow to 40,000 feet takes much of the glory out of this achievement. Glider pilot achievement for many years has been based upon altitude climbed, for SILVER, GOLD, and DIAMOND rankings, with absolute altitude of lesser importance. On January 5, 1979, I flew a sailplane to 37,500 feet, with an airotow of 2,000 feet, and the sailplane cost was nothing like 3 million dollars, the cockpit was not pressurized, and the cockpit temperature was -40 degrees at max. It was a 4 hours-plus flight and the oxygen gear was Korean War military vintage. When I landed I had a 1/2 inch layer of ice on my chest, as each time I exhaled, the mask vents allowed the moisture in my breath to "snow" on my chest. 1,500 to 2,500 FPM "lift" in some locations, and similar rates of "sink" in others.

To me, the airotow to 40,000 feet takes much of the glory out of this achievement. Glider pilot achievement for many years has been based upon altitude climbed, for SILVER, GOLD, and DIAMOND rankings, with absolute altitude of lesser importance. On January 5, 1979, I flew a sailplane to 37,500 feet, with an airotow of 2,000 feet, and the sailplane cost was nothing like 3 million dollars, the cockpit was not pressurized, and the cockpit temperature was -40 degrees at max. It was a 4 hours-plus flight and the oxygen gear was Korean War military vintage. When I landed I had a 1/2 inch layer of ice on my chest, as each time I exhaled, the mask vents allowed the moisture in my breath to "snow" on my chest. 1,500 to 2,500 FPM "lift" in some locations, and similar rates of "sink" in others. It was a magnificent experience though - you could see forever.

WOW, and I thought I was hot stuff when I flew to 10K over Santa Rosa Mountains.

Okay, now how the heck do you "spot" land back at your takeoff location? Surely they use more than Whiskey Compass?...Just saying! That is a awesome sight than we will never see!
I'm jealous!

wow~~ amazing... but what does this benefit to normal people like us? lol

That is over 43 Kilometres great stuff

Wow!!