Flying to the EDGE of SPACE | What's It Like Flying the U-2? (U-2 Pilot Interview)
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- In part two of my interview with U-2 Pilot SPLINT, we discuss what it's like flying the U-2 spy plane.
Mondays with Mover
C.W. Lemoine VLOG
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Photos and videos courtesy of Defense Video Information Distribution Service, Kristian Jones, and Chris Kunkle. All cockpit photos and videos taken IAW current AFIs.
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I hope this helps your viewers realize they too can go out there and have a career in aviation even if they weren’t planning for this their whole life! It’s not an easy path, if it were everyone would be doing it. But it is absolutely attainable through hard work, determination, and a positive attitude. Best of luck to all of you watching and dreaming of a cockpit, the jobs are out there, get out there and make it happen!
Have you ever flown gliders? Landing doesn't seem too different and winch starts get you climbing pretty steep too! 😁
Badass Aviator have not but would love to! Looks like a lot of fun
Hey Splint! Great job on the interview it was really motivating. I'm just curious about how you got your callsign. Is it related to the stress fractures/shin splints that you mentioned in Part 1?
I think that you should know people out on the line say u2 pilots are the nicest pilots they have ever worked with.
@splint993 thank you for making us "Skunks" look good!
I started flying my Dad's C-170 at age twelve. All I ever wanted to do was fly in the Army. I joined at age 17 as an Air Traffic Controller since you had to be 18 to apply for flight school. At 18 I took the FAST test and passed with a very high score. This was just after Nam and the Army was laying off pilots. I was rejected due to my eyesight even though I had a Class 1 in my pocket. If you could pass your first physical without glasses you were in. I could not. Through the years I ended up as a crew chief and aircraft electrician. I did fly a Huey quite a bit with certain pilots I knew. I actually discovered that I like working on them more than flying. My final job in life was that of a Senior Engineer for Boeing. A very gratifying career and not one I had predicted. You never know what door may open if one is shut on you.
when my son received his degree in mechanical engineering, he applied for his dream job “fighter jet pilot”, then we realized his hearing wasn’t %100, which we didn’t know anything about it until then, and for that he got rejected, his world crashed down on him, he had a hard time accepting it. I am glad you guys could do what you love. keep up the great work. God bless you all.
Sorry to hear that hopefully, he can still at least get his pilot's license still though.
This same story happened to me and I fully understand what your son felt.
Outstanding interviews! I enjoyed my 20 years in the USAF. And SPLINT is absolutely correct, attitude is everything!
Fellow Air Force Veteran Thank You for your Service . Hope your enjoying your well deserved retirement .
U2 alive and kicking since 1955 !!! Great interview about a colossal aircraft that have had a great impact on American history! Thank you Splint for carrying on a great legacy!!
toddie4usa1 they had really short “real deal” history as well as SR71 due to Soviet SAMs.
When Splint was describing the takeoff and landing it took me back to my time at Bien Hoa watching the U-2s depart and return. On takeoff they would just climb what appeared to be straight up and disappear into the overcast. On landing they had a couple of guys on Honda 50's motoring along at the wing tips as the aircraft slowed down and then would catch the wing tip as the aircraft came to a stop. No fancy Merc's or Porsche's. ;-)
Splint, thank you for taking the time to share your story. It's unique in the way that a large audience can identify and relate to it (myself included). Your humbleness and clear enthusiasm for what you do shows and is the best way to approach the current and next generation of pilots. Well done!
BenRoth thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
@@Splint993 Life goals... chase a U2 landing with my Z 🤣👍
Great interview. Thank you 🤘
I’m an ex UK 🇬🇧 JTAC (Joint Terminal Air Controller) for the army, basically I talked in various weapons platforms onto there targets in various places I served. I’ve always been extremely interested in aviation & I didn’t do well at school but just because this happened it didn’t end my dream of being a pilot. Dreams are NEVER over, only when you decide or only sometimes delayed. In fact I believe that if my life path had been any different I wouldn’t be where I am now. I requested a transfer to become an Army Air Corps helicopter pilot after 12 years service & having my left foot blown off, therefore couldn’t carry on being a Para & jumping out of planes into dangerous situations & having to walk up mountains carrying heavy stuff including radios, batteries & my own stuff. I passed my interview to train to be an Army Air Corps Pilot (AAC) or Teeny Weeny Airways (TWA) as us soldiers used to call them & was sent back to England 🏴 (i was based in Germany at the time) I started my flight training after many medical exams, I felt as if they WANTED me to not be medically fit enough, but impasses all their tests & I got a training slot. This strangely began with a fixed wing Chipmunk, an ex WW2 era tail dragger, these ones didn’t even have the luxury of a bubble canopy that most Chipmunks have these days, we had the original panelled canopies which in an emergency you could punch out the side window or just retract the canopy off the rails. I remember on start up, the entire instrument panel would vibrate so bad you couldn’t make anything out.The parachutes did not give you confidence either as they formed part of your seat, you had to sit in a metal bucket with you’re parachute as your seat cushion. It’s impossible to stand up straight wearing it so it wasn’t a good Tom Cruise look, so no opportunity to send cool pictures home. I learned to love the Chipmunk though, after 30 hours when we proved we had a basic understanding of flight I was sad to see it go, we progressed onto Gazelles for basic rotary training, the Gazelle is the Mazda MX5 of the helicopter world, after we had completed this stage successfully we then learned more about tactical flying, utilising the airframe/terrain plus even the weather to your advantage to successfully accomplish your mission all mixed in IMC etc, it was VERY VERY intense but 9 of the original 14 of us passed. Which is actually an extraordinarily high pass rate for a course, they have had in the past just 1 or 2 pass. Some people though are invited to retry if they have shown promise. I then moved onto the wonderful/beautiful & fastest flying helicopter in the world 🌍, the amazing Westland Lynx (latest version is the Lynx Wildcat) we, for the first time learned how to fight an advanced aircraft, using all of the assets available to us, from intelligence on the ground using the Mk1 eyeball right up to utilising satellite info ex & more, my past experience as a JTAC proved very useful. When you put all the components of military flying together it’s an amazing thing. You have to think tactical but at the same time deal with all the usual stuff that the average pilot would experience. In much more testing conditions though, which is why I believe that military flying is THE BEST training you can receive. The USA & The UK obviously being the best at it. What I’m trying to get across is even if you didn’t do well at school, thought that you’re dreams of flying are over, joining the army with NO intention of becoming a pilot, that sometimes, if you are passionate enough, you CAN do it. Dreams are NEVER over, only YOU can self eliminate. Make them have to push you through that door if they are trying to tell you no. That attitude WILL get noticed & WILL be you’re best friend. So, when you are crawling through that mud, freezing cold, wearing that 50 kg backpack ensure you have the right attitude & you will magically find that dreams will find their path to you. So, that’s how it works people, now, go & do it ✅. As the man says, MAKE THEM TELL YOU NO!!!!!! Make them force you out that door. No matter what situations you find yourself in, THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY. Now, it’s up to you.........I am now retired, I did want the opportunity as a last hurrah to fly the British version of the Apache. The AH64E. Which was bought from the USA & upgraded by British Aerospace BAE, we had the opportunity to put modern Rolls Royce Turbomeca engines & an updated radar targeting system, a world beating defence system plus the upgrades to operate from naval vessels. This would of been great to get the chance to go to sea but I was just old by this time. I don’t regret anything & please always work off the principle of never self eliminate. You will never have any regrets if you do. Thanks for taking the time to read this very long RUclips comment & I hope it has been of some use. Regards, Mark
Thank you for this comment.
Between 1957 and 1958 I was a Intercept Controller at a GCI (Ground Control Intercept) RADAR site stationed in South Dakota. We were an Air Defense Command unit stationed at a SAC base. We had F-86D's with two on two minute alert 24/7. The RADAR sites call sign was Rollerskate and my call sign was Rollerskate 34.
One day we picked up an aircraft flying so slow and so high we couldn't believe what we were seeing. It was squawking three and we had no idea what it was.
I called Denver control and asked it if it had any military aircraft that could fly real high. I couldn't say what the actual altitude was because we figured it was secret. Denver told me to stand by and about a minute later called back and said it was an Uncle Two. We had no idea what an Uncle Two was. I asked him to ask the pilot to check in with us so we could check out our equipment. He did and the U2 pilot gave us a call on Channel 10.
All I did was ask him if his indicated air speed was what we had calculated and he said we were real close. He was flying East bound and a B47 pilot was listening in. At that time the B47 pilots were mostly fighter pilots and they had an attitude with their new speed demon.
I had mentioned, to the U2 pilot we had him way up there and he just acknowledged. The B47 pilot chimes in with Rollerskate this is Sundance 42, over. I said, go head Sundance. He said, Rollerskate this is Sundance 42, a Baker 47 and we are heading 270 up here at 45 angels I understand you have an aircraft flying eastbound, just wanted to let you know how high we are.
All., I said was Roger when the U2 pilot says, "Roger that Sundance this is Air Force 12345 and I see you down there, look up."
The B47 pilot looked up and, What in the hell are you? Who are you?
We laughed our asses off on that one, but we still didn't know what a U2 was.
(I forgot the actual B47 and U2 call signs, so these are made up)
Best u2 story ever
JazzBuff23 haha that’s a great story!
@@Splint993 We loved it because we had a really hard time intercepting the B-47's with our little F-86D's. An F-86D couldn't make it to 45 angels, but when they would come in at 40 or below we could take a simulated shot.
With the F=86D (the Dog) we had to run ninety degree beam intercepts and with a B-47 we had one shot with each Dog. We had standing orders to scramble on any SAC aircraft that we could get to within our range and if we had enough morning we scrambled a flight of three. We had B-36's when I got to the base and then switched to B-52's so we had many ECM missions from returning SAC aircraft too.
I was getting my pilots license and in my spare time I spent more time in the F-86D simulator than most of the pilots.
@@taddmaxwell8363 We loved it. The B-47 pilots were cocky as hell. It was hard to get a splash on one , but we got our fair share. The U2's were so far up I'm not sure I can say it now.
My dad, a fmr. USAF fighter pilot, told me from a young age....."Your attitude determines your ALTITUDE in Life, so aim high". He's still around @90, and he's still right.
Mover.....ANOTHER Excellent offering, providing INSIDE scoops for the rest of us.
Love the u-2 and the crew behind it all. Thanks for bringing us this, mover. Have a good christmas season
Great video Splint. Are you out in Cali? I am in San Diego..would love to chat. Email?
I got here almost by accident. I'm not american and i'm not even into army stuff, but I'm interested in aviation. Really appreciate your attitude and that of your fellow comrades. No "we are the best, america first" bs.. seems like you guys served your country with the best intentions and a passion for what you're doing and with respect for others. I like that.
How many times can you hear from a pilot that flew in space? What a neat interview about such an iconic aircraft! Thank you SPLINT for sharing your story and to Mover for letting us in on the action. Felt like I was in the squadron's "Heritage Room" right alongside you guys while you talked about your adventures in military aviation. Very cool, thanks fellas.
I really enjoyed the video. I worked on the U2 at RAF Alconbury England from 1985 to 1989 then 2 more years in Northern California. This aircraft was one of the coolest that I’ve worked on. I’m now retired from the Air Force and love seeing videos like this. Brings back very good memories for me and yes it’s amazing to see a U 2 take off. Points for the hole in the clouds and it’s gone.
I had a contact at Moffitt Field,near Onizuka AFS, (formerly Sunnyvale AFS) that would alert me to a launch of The TR-1 of NASA's stable, and whenever I could, I would go out on the third floor's landing (non-alarmed fire escape) on the west side of CUBE, and watch that airframe. It would take like a 50 or 60 degree climb, and you would hear it for 10 minutes after it was gone... A real treat.
My capacity at that station was
Network Status Controller
Display Maintenance Systems Command . 1982
I always appreciate it when you pilots mention us maintainers 🙌
Back in my airline days I flew with a couple of former U2 pilots as FOs. Always some great stories/
This guy flys one of the coolest jets ever built. One hard working guy whose effort has been rewarded with a sweet jet.
Splint is exactly right about the attitude if you're disappointed. Coming from an Air Force family, my dream was to be a fighter jock since I was about 3 years old. I had the opportunity to get into a pilot program in college and I jumped on it. Just before solo we had to take the FAA flight physical. That's when I found out I was partially color blind! It was all over - but I was still the first in my class to solo, even ahead of the guys who'd been flying with their fathers since they were 10. But... I was crushed. I found another major that I was sort of interested in.
Then I met a guy in Special Forces (Green Berets). We talked about all the incredible things he'd done. I was hooked! Long story short, I joined and went to Special Forces School. I was recruited by a high altitude freefall detachment in the 5th Special Forces Group and went to Military Freefall School. I did HALO infiltrations for 14 out of my 20 years, both enlisted and officer. There is NOTHING more exciting than hanging 10 on a tailgate, at night, at 30,000 feet with 150 pounds of lightweight gear hung on you, including your oxygen equipment and weapon. I think I ended up getting the better deal- maybe better than being a pilot. It all works out. If you don't get your dream, make a new one!
So, what's the ultimate "There I was" story?
There I was at 35,000 feet with nothing but a silkworm and a sewing machine... DOL!
That’s badass! What an awesome story!
@@Splint993 Just a different way to commute to work...
I retired from Global Hawk six years ago. There I worked with two retired U-2 pilots, Ed Walby and Bill Walker. They never talked much, make that they never talked at all, about their experiences and what it was like. This video filled in the picture somewhat. I do know that Ed is an accomplished artist and sculptor. He painted the U-2 pilot at the entrance to the 9th ARO and I think still sells U-2 pilot in space suit sculptures. When I retired the U-2 was supposed to go away in 2020. Apparently the U-2 mafia has infinite life.
Those of you coming up to do this, or to be successful in any profession...Everyone's always focused on the specifics of "do exactly this or exactly that"... Pay attention to how humble and well-spoken and mannered these men are. They own who they are, mistakes and all, and are devoted, with the qualities I first listed. Those things make you successful in anything you do. Apply that type of attitude in your life if you haven't yet and it will change for the better, I promise.
Great interview, wouls really love to hear an interview with an SR71 pilot.
Guy did one. Check for the interview he did to commemorate the craft and his book of course!
@Oddball70 check the current video list
I am amazed they still use this plane.
Just wanted to remark about that observation that you can fly without spending a fortune: Absolutely true. I earned my PP ticket for less than $5,000, exactly a year start to finish, just flying on the weekends when I had time.
For the cost of a new Ford, Dodge, or Chevy pickup, you could have bought my Mooney twice (or bought it once and had ~10 years worth of hangar/maintenance money)
For the cost of a Honda Civic, you could buy a Cessna 140/150 or a Piper Cub/Pacer/Tri-Pacer
Sure, avgas is expensive, but that just means you plan you flights around your budget. The road-gas cost for me to drive, say, 200 miles to visit friends/family is the same as the avgas cost for me to fly there (because I can fly in a straight line - a 300-mile road trip might only be a 180 mile flight), and it takes 1/3 as long by air!
If you shop around and work a budget, you can absolutely fly within the price range of a lot of other normal activities - it doesn't all have to be Cirrus and Stripper-Money.
ShuRugal Oorus awesome comment and I hope it’s seen by more people! I think most people just assume they can’t afford to fly because it’s an airplane and it’s got to be $100k+. Certainly some are, but there are so many ways to make it affordable, it just has to be your priority and you have to create a budget and stick to it. Glad to see you’re out there flying, and Mooney’s are freaking cool! What a great design and the efficiency is so hard to beat
5000? that's bargain. In the Netherlands it cost something like 2000 euros to get a drivers licence, because they force you to only take lessons from a certified instructor with a specially adapted car. I am always jealous when I hear people in other countries can learn form their parents. Let alone get a pilots licence for 5000!
I caught their T-38s a few months ago at my local airport, slick little birds!
As maintainers (not of the U-2) we appreciate the shout-out.
You guys are the life blood of any aircraft. The bass and drums of any good sound as it were.
Thanks for the shoutout to Civil Air Patrol... mission Pilot for 30 years... CAP cadets going all the way to Private Pilot now, and walk-on to the Academies...
In the uk (Fairford) they used the Mercedes , they also had Nissan GT-R and a few others , they have been based near me for a while atm, watching them take off in such short distance then going up so steep is epic
That was me in the Mercedes a few years ago! Glad you enjoy the noise
Splint993 brilliant , yes I enjoyed the noise and the sight
Had lessons once but stopped which I regret. I always thought some day I’d go again. Enjoying the content. Thanks both.
Richard M never too late to continue if it’s something you really want! Have a friend who’s grandpa flew P-38’s in WW2 who is in his 90’s and was flying an old Cessna 180 to kick off 2020!
Dude knows his stuff... He is driving the best M3 (e46)
Haha they all have their strengths and weaknesses, but I love the E46!
Hi Mover and Splint.... another "What a Rush" video. What it would be to be young again. Very inspirational to those young future pilots. You guys are A plus in my book. Splint, you are the closest thing to space and being an astronaut as far as I'm concerned, what a view.
Wasn't expecting much here. Great interview with SPLINT! That dude is a study in PMA. Thanks CW for exploring this exotic corner of aviation.
Just want to say thanks to you guys. I like latest content on your channel very much, especialy those interviews, it's very interessting.
What I always wanted to say is. People often forgett how important everyone in the military is. Yes, Fighterpilots get the merrits, but without a groundcrew, no aircraft would get into the air. If no one drives Tanker, Jets couldn't stay in the air for a long time. So everyone is a small peace of the puzzle, witch completes the whole picture.
So take care and stay safe
This interview was awesome. Initially I began school to join the airlines but now I’m thinking I’ll go the military route instead. Gets me really motivated and excited again. Thanks for continuing to post great content!
Pilotage that’s great! Get out there and become a better version of yourself every day. Hard work will pay off. I wish you all the best on your journey to become a military aviator!
I thoroughly loved this interview start to finish. Splint, you’re a superb individual. Your story is amazing & inspiring on many levels. Thank you for sharing so much.
Stevie Gee I’m glad you enjoyed it!
American dream stories that people, young and old need to hear. We all have or will have the right stuff to achieve what we can. Flying is not always in the air.
Well said.
I have seen the u2 climb in person when it was doing fly bys at chico California airport when it left it just when Strait up very quickly until it just disappeared in the sky. Its so crazy when I saw it I had no idea what it was somebody at the airport said it was a spyplane from Beal Air Force base not to far from chico ca. I did my research after that and it is such an awesome aircraft.
Wow such great people. I have seen a lot of pilots in the military and the civilian world. I have not met a better group of people. Seems you guys are good people.
My father flew with the RCAF in the 50s and 60s and the one story he had about the U-2 was that he was in England some time after Powers was shot down. The US was not at all happy that parts of the plane/surveillance tech had been captured and soon designed a timed self-destruct device for the place. My father was over there not long after the British U-2 pilots had been briefed about it and he was in a pub (or maybe O-club?) with some of them and they shared this story. In the briefing they were shown a new button in the panels and were told that if they were going to bail out of the aircraft that they had to push it. It would start a timer that would leave them plenty of time to eject before a charge would explode and destroy the plane.
After the briefing the pilots had their own little pow-wow and decided that if any of them had to bail out that the one thing they definitely weren't going to do was push that button. They accepted that it was there for an explosive device. They didn't accept that it had a timer.
My father didn't share a lot of flying stories and he only told this one once. He thought it was hilarious. Make of it what you will.
I was in the army once. And back then everybody used to look at Air Force guys like they had it easy and cushy.
But looking at these videos shows me that you guys are ultimate bad asses.
There’s no way your gonna get me up in one of those things.
I would go in one as a passenger. No way I would want to fly one.
Loved taking my smoke breaks at Osan, sometimes I'd get lucky and see a sports car race down the runway guiding a U-2 in. Either that or watching Warthogs taxi-ing with the canopy up and the pilots hanging their arms out the cockpit, looking every bit like a cowboy.
Lol so hog pilots are like truckers?
Thank you for not taking us crew chiefs for granted. I work on heavy's and they seem to take us for granted.
TheCivil warriorproject That’s unfortunate man. Without you guys and gals our jets go nowhere! Flying crew chiefs were so much fun to travel with when I flew the KC-10.
Great video! You both are such an awesome inspiration! Keep up the good work and thank you both for your service.
Nice Work, both of you guys.
Good stuff Mover! Thx to Splint.
Make them SAY NO....Being an old fart who enlisted well (can you say ANALOG computers) before the internet and wanting to be a pilot, but turned away because of my vision, I wish that your series on Make them say no had been around. Now it didn't turn out bad for me, I just flew underwater instead of on top, but my heart was in aviation. I did eventually get a PPSEL, although I am not flying now, I do love your (and your guest's) career stories. By the way Mover.....you have cost me a lot of sleep over the last couple weeks, I am very much enjoying the Spectre series...starting book 6. Keep up the good work, do more pilot interviews. Bravo Zulu
Great interview. I remember flying off a carrier in the Med during the war in Lebanon when I received a vector to intercept an unknown contact that had popped up from behind an island. I went to military power and started climbing to intercept --- after a minute or two the controller said, "Never mind, you're never gonna catch him -- he's already passing through angels 40." I never heard officially, but I could guess what it was. :-)
Patrick Laine what a cool memory!
So amazing to be able to be in the air and even so high..... I have only been off the ground once... only to jump out.... Was so nervous going over everything don't even recall the flight.... Cant help but feel I have missed so much.
Really enjoyed his interview thanks for sharing guys
Good video brother stay safe out there I got yer six.
Third video on the channel and i just paused the video to just subscribe the channel. Keep it up.
I would have loved to be a pilot but at the time when I was choosing which branch to go in, I didn’t care enough about school. Not until well after I had gotten out of the Navy. It’s awesome watching your vids and hearing your perspective on things and reading the Spectre series.
Hey Mover & Splint....
Fabulous interviews!
Old fart here...I guess the only advantage my age is over you two is that I got to see the SR-71 at one of its last air show performances at Beale back in 1997! U2’s also but I have to say the Blackbird stole the show that day...
Mover...you should try for a ‘71 pilot interview one day....
Oh shit, I would love to see the stars from up there. I have some pretty nice telescopes myself and have access to an incredible lab, but that would be amazing.
To think back in the day when the RFC [Royal Flying Corp ] was formed during the era of WW1 . Pilots then never had Parachutes . It was easier to become a Pilot then after WW2 as technology improved along the years it became harder to join up and be a Pilot instantly .
Earth doesn't look flat to me. Thanks for your service.
That has to be the coolest job in the world... to be one of those guys who they throw up there at 80,000ft, wearing basically a space suit, in that expensive jet.
When asking about highlights of flying that high brings me to a conversation between tower and jet/airliner....airliner boasting about speed, the jet fighter laughs and states his speed and then the u2 pilot steps in with his speed...a load of gulps and impressive correspondence after that.....it’s on RUclips somewhere, very funny...
Marc’s Fx SR-71 is the speed story! They’re quite a bit faster than a U-2! Great story regardless
Splint993 my mistake, went passed me so bloody quick I didn’t catch the logo! lol 😉😊
Marc’s Fx haha makes sense! Cheers!
Thanx for sharing. SPLINT seems like a down to Earth good dude who flies one of the hottest jets in the world. On the other hand, he still just loves to fly anything that leaves the ground!
Ron Moore kind words. And yes, I’d like to fly everything haha!
14:42 hes just over SFO , looking south. Likely headed back to beale, ,what a cool shot
nmnmnm good eye!
Nice V Tail footage! I am slightly biased though!
Nephew of Ivor B Webster- RAF pilot- Flew Spitfires at 16 in England and Egypt.from Northern Ireland. RAF Squadron leader. Test pilot on the flying bedsted- Harrier Jump Jet. Decorated by the queen for his efforts. Flew the U2-had to forgo his RAF rank to sacrifice for the air frame- Dragon Lady. Was pulled from the program after Francis Gary Powers was hit. Spent years at NASA as a pilot on the U2- Took the last photo of Mt St Helen. Was the technical consultant on the Lee Majors Francis Gary Powers movie- its in the credits. I have operation overlord on my bookshelf signed by Francis to "Chubb" my uncle. True hero who put his life on the line as a Northern Irish Citizen for all of America.
This young man would have admired him. One of the best pilots to ever live.
The T-38 looks like it should be one of the fastest planes ever.
Awesome content, really enjoyable to listen to all this experience. I grew up accepting the little disappointments and accepting things for what they are. When I joined the military, I was told one thing but handed a different job. I didn't hesitate, I learned everything I could to be the best damned technician I could be. And it was hard work. That was the needs of the military during GWOT, and I don't regret it. I did see plenty of folks with bad attitudes. And they are infectious. Having a great attitude no matter how tired you are, how far from home you are, where you are at in a training cycle you've performed for 10 years straight, all the admin and medical shenanigans you will repetitively go through is just part of it, accept it and drive on. Don't be that dude with the bad 'tude.
I had no idea we still ran U2s. Thought they were retired decades ago.
This was a great interview guys!
Thanks to you both
Mover, great video. May I recommend you do this with all airframes. Helo guys do spec ops missions, tankers refuel everyone, cargo guys go to crazy places. All would have good stories.
Really enjoyed this 2 part video, very interesting subject, great guy to listen to too. Cheers 👍🏼
This was really cool and, for me anyway, quite timely. My dad was one of the many folks working on the ground during the cold war (including the Frank Powers shoot-down) supporting the U-2. He will soon be teaching an online class at UC Davis about the U-2!
I really enjoyed this. Thanks guys. Thank you for your service. Happy holidays
Wow wish I had seen this earlier. I knew a guy who spent a long time as a kc 135 pilot and was excepted into the U 2 program. Missed him as my AC.
Mover, I did pilot training twice. Was told I'd never fly again after the first time. Fought for a waiver made them, as you said, say no to me, and came back.
Had a 1979 Trans am special edition big block disc brakes.
Wow... Outstanding.....
Awesome interview
Great video 👍👍👍🛩️
Most interesting and informative site on the web. Thanks!
What a cool guy...
Haha I met him at Oshkosh 2019! He came in with a black T-38. Cool guy.
It was such a great experience being out there! Totally was my Air Force “bucket list” trip. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hi.
Splint993 Heck yeah man Oshkosh is awesome! I was the tall guy (6’9) with a dream of flying fighters! I see they took that restriction away recently ;)
That was great 👍🏻 enjoyed Splint, like he said, he‘s only part of the big show. But, thank you all for your Service 🇺🇸 .
Just was wondering and it wasn’t mentioned, if you’re flying 12 hours at 70‘000 feet, are you like going around the earth, or what you’re doing all Classified?
Thanks again
Check out this video it explains the missions about as detailed as you can get without the classified details ruclips.net/video/LZ93nwmMGHE/видео.html
Men!! Great intrview!!
Try a Black bird retired pilot to!!!
I'm shocked at how young he is! I assumed flying the U2 would require you to be a very senior pilot.
This was a great video series really enjoyed it
I love how these guys are fighter pilots, and they think there rentle cars are extremely fast 😂😂😂 humble dudes. Keep it it guys your awesome
Only one of them is a fighter pilot.......
This might sound like a noob question but from another veteran I'd like to know what the best route is to go get up in the air and start flying. Budget definitley in mind too. New subscriber here and I'm really glad I found your channel
50 Stitches Steel depends what you’re trying to do. Mover has a dedicated Facebook group designed for mentoring future aviators. Send him a message to get an invite
@@Splint993 Thank you very much sir
50 Stitches Steel not a problem dude! It’s great that you’re looking to start flying, it’s a great way to spend your time and future looks great for it as a career
@@Splint993 I've been saved by A-10's, Apache's, and Spectors. So I have alot of respect for what you guys do. It's the only job that I can just sit and daydream and imagine and it makes me smile everytime. I would love to make it a career too!
To think there was a time when civilians (with enough money) could fly at 66,000ft, at Mach 2 in a cabin with toilets and kitchens, drinking champagne and eating a 5 course meal! Then land in New York before they took off in London and come to an unsupported stop on the gear of one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built!
computerbob06 agreed. The Concorde was/is truly a beautiful Aircraft.
So cool guys! 😎👍
Good advise and attitude regardless of career
Thank you both for your service to our great nation. Splint is a great ambassador for aviation... My question is with the wing span of the U2 is it sensitive to heavy weather or turbulence. I imagine it either rides through it or just bucks like crazy.. Answer if you can..Both of you have great stories..CW's problem is he hates the C8...lol..Thanks for putting splint on CW..
Hey there. We try to avoid weather and turbulence by flying over most of it, but surprisingly we can still get some pretty intense turbulence up at altitude. Pretty crazy to watch the wings “flapping” up and down. We have turbulence penetration speeds we will fly at that is optimal for encounters, however after that happens we typically will just avoid that area.
A friend has 12 patents on microwave and infrared. Bell Labs....designed and installed, with a crew, at least two entire U2 cockpit arrays. Every emitter, receiver, kynar on the fuselage....he said that Powers was flying High and Slow. Over 100,000 ft and 150 mph. Wiki will not confirm this.
First time @ 10,000 in a Cessna 150.... MAN I’m high!
Ha! I said the same thing when I flew the 150!
A U2 and a cat. Fucking awesome.
Great video...very interesting!
So when are you and "Jello" Aiello going to do a one of these together? You know it's inevitable.
We discussed it briefly earlier this year, but they're not set up to do Skype/Phone In stuff like this. So, it is a lot harder to get the schedules and stars to align to meet in person. Maybe one day.
@@CWLemoine Spice it up with DCS f 16 vs f 18 between you or something. In case you're wondering about the diversity of your audience, there's even a few of us railroad locomotive engineers keeping up with you.
Best of future for you and this awesome youtube channel! :)
I know the answer is simpler than the question but exactly what is a “jink “. Visual aids would be helpful. BTW, I am a pilot but just a very old pilot with too many health problems. I have trouble pulling one G.
I'm curious what that expression means as well. Maybe someone who sees this and knows the answer will be kind enough to clue us in. I'm gonna go try to Google up an answer and if I find anything that seems definitive, I'll come back to share my findings.
Edit: per sierrahotel.net/pages/aviation-slang-pilot-slang ...
Jink - A quick maneuver to avoid a threat.
Seems legit and now we both know. 😁👍
Those video are very interesting, thank you for posting them and to Splint to tell us these stories :)
I have a question though, I understand that the U2 is still used today for ISR (basically reconaissance as I understand it), what makes the U2 stay in service which cannot be done by satelites? There must be a reason I guess
The multi-functionality of it. Being able to put any kind of camera anywhere in the world and at any time is a great advantage. They have been looking into replacing it several times.
About the comparison made at 15:15
Aviation, even flying gliders or something, is way, way more expensive then getting into cars. You can buy a sporty little car like a Miata for 2-3000. You don't even get close to a ppl license for that amount
tolga1cool sure, that’s valid. But how much does it cost to auto cross it with tires, brakes, fluids, etc. That stuff adds up. I grew up auto racing and in shifter karts so I’m aware of costs of racing/cars.
But you could also buy an old Aeronca Champ/Chief for around $15k. A new Mustang will cost you $26k (without options or tax/title/etc) yet I see plenty of those on the road. What I’m saying is it’s far more affordable than the $100k+ ppl think it costs to be able to fly. There are affordable ways to do it too whether that’s joining a flying club, partnerships in ownership, etc.
A quick Google search says:
Flight School Cost
The cost of flight school ranges from about $5,100 to $16,100, depending on which type of pilot license you want to earn. This cost range includes airplane rental fees, flight instructor's time, ground training, classroom time, FAA test fees, and other supplies that you may need to complete your minimum requirements.
Have a good one
@@Splint993 The thing about cars is that you can have some fun in a cheap car without the need to go racing. You can do maintenance yourself too, which drastically cuts cost. Driving fun cars is accesessible for even low income people. Planes aren't.
Then again, when comparing it with new cars, aviation is absolutely in reach for a lot of people.
Btw, my eyes watered just reading the new mustang price lol. I'm from Germany where a new mustang without extras starts at 47.300€ ....
tolga1cool that’s so expensive! I’ve heard aviation is not as readily accessible in Europe... I flew with many Luftwaffe pilot instructors and had several German classmates during my time at ENJJPT. They also would annually host the Oktoberfest celebration in Wichita Falls, which was an amazing time!
I also got to check a bucket list item off a few years back when a KC-10 I was flying broke at Ramstein AB... I got to drive a BMW around the Nurburgring! So jealous that you can have access to such a cool/historic race track!
@@Splint993 For some reason American carss, especially V8's and such are really expensive here. Also fuel and taxes on those is quite hefty. But hey, you can at least drive them properly ;)
Anyways, as far as flying goes a ppl will set you back close to 15000, so not much different. People tend to fly club planes for hourly rates here. A Cessna 152 will set you back around 110-170 per hour, depending on your region of course, larger planes will cost more.
What is accessible, and also relatively cheap, is gliding. There are a lot of gliding clubs. You tend to just pay a yearly club fee and get to fly and earn your license there
tolga1cool would love to fly a glider! We have a few U-2 pilots who do that for fun and they say it’s a lot of fun and rewarding flying
E46 M3, my man!!
Allan Lai haha yeah dude! Fantastic car and honestly it has been my favorite to own. Such a great all around car to use every day. I think they’re a bargain at the prices you can get them today.
The Black Cat says it all......