Guest SrPilot Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 One pilot dead, a second injured in U-2 spy plane crash in rural Northern California Earlier report: U-2 spy plane crashes in California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 I didn't know they were still in active service. Nev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperplace Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 designed over 60 years ago, amazing; and apparently v difficult to fly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmccarthy Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 There was one at Oshkosh this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 I didn't know they were still in active service. Nev Until 2019, I believe. Here's a proposed replacement. lockheed-unveils-tr-x-next-generation-u-2 | Defense News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 designed over 60 years ago, amazing; and apparently v difficult to fly. Yes. My friend Richard Drake (who's hangar I now possess) was a U-2 pilot. I've heard a number of accounts of incidents and accidents caused by it's long wings, bicycle gear, low power, and the narrow gap between stall and excessive speed at high altitude. Here's an interesting account of U-2 flying's challenges: Killer at 70,000 Feet | Military Aviation | Air & Space Magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperplace Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Hi SrPliot, thanks, that's an amazing article. Those pilots are extraordinary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Hi SrPliot,thanks, that's an amazing article. Those pilots are extraordinary. No worries. You may find the landings interesting too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNYg2i9Jgvs It may be the only plane that looks easier to land on a carrier than on terra firma. But with difficult landings come base fields (like Beale AFB) with only one runway. Why make it easy? AirNav: KBAB - Beale Air Force Base Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnarly Gnu Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Whoever designed the undercarriage had a sense of humour... (that's humor to some) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyflyer Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Whoever designed the undercarriage had a sense of humour... (that's humor to some) So did the guy who decided to base them at a place with no cross strips (Beale AFB). At least on an aircraft carrier you are guaranteed a good head wind every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SrPilot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 An update on the crash and those involved. Air Force Identifies Pilot Who Died In California U-2 Crash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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