The Perlan II weighs about the same as a 1967 VW Beetle and has an 84ft (25.6m) wingspan.

The Perlan II glider holds the world altitude record for a glider, having climbed to 76,124ft (23,203m) in September 2018.

Pilots Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock, euphoric after landing on one of Perlan II's record-breakers.

El Calafate in Patagonia, Argentina provided an ideal location for the glider to ride stratospheric mountain waves coming off the Andes.

A panoramic view from a tail-mounted camera as Perlan II conducts its flight record-breaker.

Perlan II has high aspect ratio wings to maximise gliding efficiency.