A
Ride in a U2 Spy Plane
You
can see why the U-2 is considered the most difficult plane in
the world to fly.
Ride in a U2 Spy Plane
You
can see why the U-2 is considered the most difficult plane in
the world to fly.
Each
pilot has a co-pilot, who chases the plane on the runway in a
sports car.
pilot has a co-pilot, who chases the plane on the runway in a
sports car.
Most
of the cars are either Pontiac GTOs or Chevrolet Camaros as
the Air Force buys American.
of the cars are either Pontiac GTOs or Chevrolet Camaros as
the Air Force buys American.
The
chase cars talk the pilot down as he lands on bicycle-style
landing gear.
In
that spacesuit, the pilot in the plane simply cannot get a
good view of the runway.
chase cars talk the pilot down as he lands on bicycle-style
landing gear.
In
that spacesuit, the pilot in the plane simply cannot get a
good view of the runway.
Upon
takeoff, the wings on this plane, which extend 103 feet from
tip to tip, literally flap.
takeoff, the wings on this plane, which extend 103 feet from
tip to tip, literally flap.
To
stabilize the wings on the runway, two pogo sticks on wheels
prop up the ends of the wings.
stabilize the wings on the runway, two pogo sticks on wheels
prop up the ends of the wings.
As
the plane flies away, the pogo sticks drop
off.
The
plane climbs at an amazing rate of nearly 10,000 feet a
minute.
the plane flies away, the pogo sticks drop
off.
The
plane climbs at an amazing rate of nearly 10,000 feet a
minute.
Within
about four minutes, I was at 40,000 feet, higher than any
commercial airplane..
about four minutes, I was at 40,000 feet, higher than any
commercial airplane..
We
kept going up to 13 miles above Earth's
surface.
You
get an incredible sensation up there.
kept going up to 13 miles above Earth's
surface.
You
get an incredible sensation up there.
As
you look out the windows, it feels like you're floating, like
you're not moving, but you're actually going 500 mph!
you look out the windows, it feels like you're floating, like
you're not moving, but you're actually going 500 mph!
The
U-2 was built to go higher than any other aircraft. In fact
today, more than 50 years since it went into production,
U-2 was built to go higher than any other aircraft. In fact
today, more than 50 years since it went into production,
the
U-2 flies higher than any aircraft in the world with the
exception of the space shuttle.
It
is flying more missions and longer missions than ever before
at nearly 70 missions a month over Iraq and Afghanistan ,
U-2 flies higher than any aircraft in the world with the
exception of the space shuttle.
It
is flying more missions and longer missions than ever before
at nearly 70 missions a month over Iraq and Afghanistan ,
an
operational tempo that is unequaled in history.
operational tempo that is unequaled in history.
The
pilots fly for 11 hours at a time.
pilots fly for 11 hours at a time.
By
flying so high, the U-2 has the capability of doing
reconnaissance over a country without actually violating its
airspace.
flying so high, the U-2 has the capability of doing
reconnaissance over a country without actually violating its
airspace.
It
can look off to the side, peering 300 miles or more inside a
country without actually flying over it.
can look off to the side, peering 300 miles or more inside a
country without actually flying over it.
It
can "see" in the dark and through clouds.
It
can also "hear," intercepting conversations 14 miles below.
can "see" in the dark and through clouds.
It
can also "hear," intercepting conversations 14 miles below.
The
U-2, an incredible piece of history and also a current piece
of high technology,
U-2, an incredible piece of history and also a current piece
of high technology,
is
at the center of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
.
Enjoy
the ride!
Click Here for a Ride In a U2 - Have Your Sound
On
at the center of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
.
Enjoy
the ride!
Click Here for a Ride In a U2 - Have Your Sound
On
