Flying in a U - 2 at 70,000 feet

'back in '61/'62 time, I was part of a small AF crew that had to meet a U-2 landing from somewhere...the pilot cracked the canopy and held us a gun-point (in a friendly but firm manner) 'till a follow-up team could land ...meantime we had to push him, by hand, nearly a mile across runways & put the plane in to a hanger that stayed sealed off-limits for a few days guarded by some guys who had big guns and never smiled...rfh

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From: piloto Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 Subject: Flying in a U - 2 at 70,000 feet 

Good one, a little bit long but provides unique views only provided by U-2, SR-71 or outer space!

I thought you might like to see what the world looks like at 70,000 feet  from a civilians eyes.  A documentary show host got to ride in the U-2 spy plane and I can see why it was hard to hold back tears.  Like the line in the movie "The Bucket List"....  He has experienced something majestic........

I used to work with the U-2s up close when I was stationed at Edwards AFB  in the 80s and it's not the sexy sleek plane you would think it is. It  reminded me of a slim downed 53 Packard ( probably because of the heat absorbent, non-radar detective dull finish paint....  The rivets along the front  window looked like they had "silicone" around them to stop leaks....  I'm sure it wasn't but it was a surprise.

Made in the 50's and still our highest flying aircraft outside of the  space shuttle....  "Old School" It's worth the watch!!
http://propilotnews.com/2009/07/high-flight-really-high-flight.html
Ed Hurst USAF (Retired)

re-posted from B.N. Sullivan's blog: "Professional Pilot News" at

http://propilotnews.com/2009/07/high-flight-really-high-flight.html

Wednesday, July 22, 2009:  High Flight (...really high flight!)

Ride along on a Lockheed U-2 spyplane and check out the amazing view cruising at 70,000 ft as the sky above turns black.

video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PmYItnlY5M&feature=player_embedded

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