In 1978, Robert Harris first rode a sailplane into the sky and the experience enthralled him. Harris set about breaking the world glider altitude record after he discovered that no one had bested the mark that Paul Bickle had set on February 21, 1961, when he reached 14,065 m (46,267 ft).

To prepare for an attempt at the record, Harris spent five years working his way ever higher. First, he soared to 6,080 m (20,000 ft) and then 10,640 m (35,000 ft). Twice he topped 11,552 m (38,000 ft) and during the spring of 1985, he reached 12,160 m (40,000 ft). Harris made all of these flights after taking off from an airport near the town of Independence in the Owens Valley region of central California and soaring above the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains. Shortly before 1 p.m. on February 17, 1986, a tow plane hauled Harris and the Grob 102 Standard Astir III aloft. He unhooked the towline and soon found weak lift that he worked to an altitude of 10,640 m (35,000 ft). Strong lift then pushed the glider up at 182-243 m (600-800 ft) per minute. By the time he had reached 11,552 m (38,000 ft), frost completely covered the canopy and Harris began to fly solely by reference to his instruments. At 12,768 m (42,000 ft), his eyes began to water but the teardrops froze and immediately formed ice cobwebs. Even five layers of clothing could not insulate him from temperatures that dropped to minus 65-70 degrees F (-50 degrees Centigrade) inside the cockpit. A failing oxygen system forced him to stop his record climb at 14,899 m (49,009 ft) and he returned triumphantly to earth using backup oxygen.

Turns out his goddaughter is a friend of mine, and just filled me in on his record flight. No surprise it occurred in the Owens valley.

-DP

Here's the Smithsonian website about it. Click on the tab for the long description.

-DP

Bob Harris is a partner in a business in Riverside, Ca K&H metals (Klure & Harris) When he set the altitude record Feb 1986 he launched out of California City and got his altitude over Inyokern, Ca. I've never met the man but have flown with a few that knew him. Some of the story I got was approaching 18,000' he asked for a clearance into back then Positive control zone and was denied. He said to himself screw it and continued his climb to 49,009' at sometime prior to reaching altitude he thought one of his O2 systems (flying w/2) failed so he went to back up and descended.

He sent his altitude claim in and apparently the FAA knew about his busting altitude and it was either loose his license and claim the record or keep it and don't say anything. He chose to claim the record, apparently when he had the O2 failure he still had a very positive rate of climb and most likely would have exceeded 50,000'.

I was actively flying gliders at Cal City at that time, and knew Bob personally. He had been mounting a very professional record attempt, flying with a retired U-2/SR-71 pilot, very serious weather analysis, etc. etc. Over a beer in the old Ready Room restaurant one day during his record attempt effort, I jokingly said to him "Bob if you break (Paul Bikle's) altitude record I'll kiss your ass".

A couple of months later he had indeed broken the record, and one fine day I was sitting in the Soaring Society of America's office at Santa Monica Airport, and in walks Bob Harris ( no doubt to start his fight with the FAA, NAA and everyone else over the legitimacy and legality of his record).

In front of the Soaring Society staff I told him to turn around, got down on my knees, and planted a big smooch right square on his backside, to the cheers and laughter of all. It was the least I could do to keep my word after he had gone out and broken a 25 year old record nobody thought was breakable at that time.

Bob had been "in competition" with another group of glider pilots who called their project "Flight Level 500", and were after the same record. FL500 was better funded and was doing an active PR campaign to get financial sponsors. Part of the campaign was putting out the concept that something like "communists and other efforts of questionable origin" were out after this altitude record, and (your financial sponsorship) would help keep the American flag flying over this important aviation record... or something very close to that effect. Our local contingent competition and record pilots laughed their asses off seeing FL500's PR photos of two guys in full space suits flying a Grob training glider. I christened them "Noise Level 500" which happily stuck

Bob Harris immediately had large jacket patches made up for his record attempt, calling it "Flight Level 17.99999", with a caricature of his glider being scanned by radar dishes manned by dark shadowy figures. I still have my patch, a much treasured keepsake. From that day on, I have always addressed Bob as "Comrade Harris".

Bob has suffered some significant health issues because of the equipment problems during his record flight. He took a big risk and made a sacrifice in pursuit of excellence in aviation. I haven't seen him in many many years, and I h ope he is in good health and good spirits. Having been "around" at the very end of the "golden age of soaring", and that I participated in some small way, is one of the greatest memories of my life.

EDIT 12-23-12 Here is an old LA Times article I stumbled upon, which gives some more details. Having seen some of the antics of the FL500 crew, watching Mr. Brosi try to talk his way into a bunch of free work by one of the local glider repair shops, it would not be hard for me to believe he dropped a dime on Bob Harris.

http://articles.latimes.com/1987-01-11/ ... ider-pilot

Thanks for that writeup Bill. I will forward it to his goddaughter. -DP