James May Rides in a U2 Spy Plane [HQ]

From James May at the Edge of Space

[@chetpomeroy1399]

It's amazing that the engine of that U-2 can operate at such an altitude, with almost no air!

[@dangleason9023]

I was thinking the same thing, its gotta be running so lean up that high, unless you are going insane speed like the SR71, but the U2 is just up there crawling around. Awesome engineering to build an engine that can tolerate that difference in air consumption between sea level and way the hell up there.

[@imapseudonym1403]

That's what it was designed for.

[@imapseudonym1403]

"Yet you believe the same propulsion works in space with the shuttle........#rockets don't and can't work in space." I am flabbergasted that someone as stupid as yourself is allowed unsupervised access to the internet. Rocket engines are fueled with, among other things, Liquid Oxygen. That's the only "air" they need.

[@TonyHammitt]

It's all about Mach, you stay at damn near exactly the speed needed to take in enough air to stay at damn near exactly the speed needed to do it. The envelope for a U2 at its service ceiling is only +/- a couple knots. Yet that pilot can maintain it and carry on a conversation with James while eating... Incredible

[@TheRandomshite123]

Air isnt The problem, it doesn't need much it cruses at 480 mph so its a low power engine, fast enough to get air to keep the engine running, and fast enough to keep sustained lift in low pressure, which is why its wings are huge, hell at sea level it won't stall until its doing 70 mph

[@jonathanstamp]

The fact Concorde did this at 58-60,000ft at Mach2 with people walking around drinking champagne and eating caviar- what an incredible machine Concorde was ✈️

[@willwork4superpowazz]

"If everybody could do that once, it can completely change the face of global politics, religion, education.. everything" So true.

[@gerRule]

For about a week and then they’d go back to greed and selfishness

[@WildBill813]

You lost me at global.

[@HuCuRuS]

@@gerRule Thats why humans must be destroyed

[@singaming3209]

I dont see how putting people on the edge of space would change anything. I wouldnt go up there

[@Aleinikov65]

James May....true words..the OverView Effect !

[@sreeharshaparuchuri756]

To think that a day would come when Captain Slow would travel faster than any of his colleagues.

[@sardorbekzokirov8851]

He already maxed out Bugatti Veyron

[@jbird7782]

U2's aren't known for their speed

[@carmadme]

Clarkson flew on Concorde so has been faster

[@issimondias]

There is a story that a U2 pilot called his base in the UK and declared an engine emergency. He confirmed that he was at such a height that he could glide back to base. He was over Southern Germany at the time.

[@DistantLightProd]

Why would you not feel emotional, looking down on the earth where it gave you life. A very touching moment for James.

[@something7239]

It's interesting to see just how normal such an extraordinary thing is for the pilot.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

The concept that we routinely get bored flying across a continent at near the speed of sound above the clouds and are watching movies to pass the time would simply baffle people a century ago.

[@erikingmundson]

Well he’s also concentrating very intensely on the flight systems and instruments. And as a representative of the armed forces I’m sure he wanted to project a cool, calm, professional demeanor. Also, recon pilots also are not “maverick” types - the kind of flying they do necessitates an intense focus on procedures and following the flight plan perfectly.

[@yesandyes9168]

@@Justanotherconsumer would baffle people from any point in time before 1980

[@andytomo5961]

I come back to this clip every few months, makes me appreciate the beauty of the world we live in. And of course James's happiness always puts a smile of my face.

[@CorePathway]

I come back for the guys in the tower wearing camo 😂

[@Kurt_Philanderer]

@@CorePathway what should they be wearing... a tuxedo 😋

[@ryiin]

That's quite simply amazing. Seeing the curve of the earth 🌍 and the cosmos. What's mad is that the sr71 went 20 thousand feet higher.

[@adamcarreras-neal4697]

Don't tell the flat earthers.

[@seanmoore4653]

​@@adamcarreras-neal4697 its really a fish eye lens..come on..its flat as a pancake

[@tonyderosa5921]

Wide angle lens. Losers.

[@defconklaxon]

Every time I watch this James May doc, I come to the verge of tears. I don't think I have to explain why, for all who keep watching.

[@MashedJoetatoes]

At 9:36, listening to James' voiceover makes me believe that he'd be a great narrator for the Sid Meier's Civilization game series.

[@Aeternum_Gaming]

Observing James May's exuberance is remarkably contagious. Merely witnessing his excitement brings me joy, and this extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience is truly awe-inspiring. I am grateful that he included us in his journey!

[@jasperlucasofficial]

I still can’t believe how far U2 has come as a band. From making 80s rock music, 2000’s pop music, and now to creating aircraft technology that goes into space. What a brilliant band.

[@LetMyPeopleKnowMinistry]

C'mon...you know that can't be true because of Vertigo.

[@VapingWatch]

I don't know if I'm alone here, but when I watch this video, I feel such a sense of yearning. My whole life I've always looked up and wondered what it would be like to literally be "on top of the world" while knowing there's not much chance of ever making it happen for me. To me, the ultimate privilege would be to visit the ISS, with a very close second being this trip James May is taking in this video. While I'm more likely to win the lottery several drawings in a row than I am to be able to see the view James May had during his flight, I doubt I will ever stop yearning.

[@lachlanmorrison2412]

You're not alone...I'm always outside looking up in wonder and now I'm addicted to watching the ISS pass over...even if it's a fast travelling white light...cheers from Australia 👍🍻

[@watchyourtimeco1]

@@lachlanmorrison2412 Yeah. I know what you mean. Seeing that pinprick of light and knowing it's a football field sized space ship is kind of awe inspiring. I've been tracking the ISS (and other satellites" for years and I don't think I've missed a lunar transit (my favorite) yet. Watching a sparkling dot traverse the night's sky is awe inspiring to say the least. There's just something incredibly special knowing I'm looking at a huge ship holding between 3 and 10 humans from the planet I'm standing on.

[@robertgolden1080]

I’m a corporate pilot and fly jets. The highest I’ve ever been is 45,000 feet. The sky is darker when you look up. You see the curvature of the planet. I joke with my friends that, I operate a self propelled low Earth orbital vehicle. The U-2 actually does that. What a privilege it must be, to be selected and actually fly this airplane. Outstanding video thanks for sharing.

[@sailorman8668]

Do you know what 'low earth orbit' actually means?

[@robertgolden1080]

@@sailorman8668 I do. That’s why I said it was a joke.

[@IDontWantAHandle101]

What's truly gobsmacking is that 2000 ft below the passengers on concorde would be drinking champagne in a dinner jacket, not a space suit. I know it's not the normal 60k ft service ceiling but concorde was tested to 68k ft successfully. Very under rated engineering masterpiece.

[@crocodile1313]

True, but 60,000 feet is hardly the service ceiling of the U2.

[@IDontWantAHandle101]

@@crocodile1313 My point is that the concorde was an amazing piece of engineering in passenger aviation. Way ahead of its time.

[@Braun30]

​@@IDontWantAHandle101way ahead of today's time.

[@crocodile1313]

@@IDontWantAHandle101 I agree; wish it was still flying!

[@Finnbobjimbob]

Such a shame and a waste

[@drnerdrage2535]

I think I would have shed quite a few tears of joy if I were in May's position. I get choked up just seeing the beauty that is Earth in a video. I think if I were in his position then, I probably would have bawled liked a baby.

[@Dutchtreat-pn3cj]

I'm a 6ft4 boxer and bbuilder but i cried like a baby when i reached the top of a mountain.

[@indigodragon0613]

Absolutely beautiful. I must do this before I die.

[@paveldrumev2117]

$17 000 in Russia, they will take you up to 60 000ft in Mig29. You just must be healthy and have the 17k.

[@yourgrandmasalzheimerpills1143]

Pavel Drumev or virgin galactic will take you to 250,000 ft for 600,000k😂

[@clank2269]

@@yourgrandmasalzheimerpills1143 wait for blue origin. ~60k$ for 100km

[@darthstuckus928]

He’s the perfect man for this. At times he can be daft and hilarious, but he is also very smart.

[@crzypyromaniac6406]

That plane is a masterpiece of engineering.

[@Niever]

Every plane is. This plane isn't any more special.

[@wesleymiller4159]

@@Niever oh please 😂

[@theowainwright7406]

Designed to fly in the most razor thin flight envelope, pretty fkn amazing

[@aleccap5946]

one lucky lucky lucky man

[@danoyze8213]

alec cap there was 2ppl lol

[@Badgerslayer777]

Looks flat to me

[@debbydoes1]

@@Badgerslayer777 Bwahahahahaa

[@6680thSOG]

I had the great fortune of knowing many people involved with both the U2 and SR71, but none of that can compare to the 1st hand experience of what James did..legendary.

[@stevieburrows3953]

How amazing to get the chance to do that,James has been so lucky on many occasions

[@prosanis1216]

James, I was touched by everything you’ve seen and share that with us. It brought tears to my eyes. You really are a very privileged person. Thank you, the major and the Americans to share their beautiful video with me.👍👍❤️❤️

[@Danny_single999]

The Major seemed to be a very nice person, absolutely loved this clip, well done James and Major

[@monkehbitch]

One of the few videos that, with the music, is beautiful.

[@stardancer4077]

Music by Ty Unwin

[@cusi2307]

X Thomas the tank games

[@trythinkingforachange4201]

Music is still not needed. They try to make it dramatic and that is not necessary.

[@bassmith448bassist5]

I have to agree. I usually don't like music over flight videos but this one is very nice.

[@mikegeorgius7589]

Another one is "The SU37 The Legend Exists"...

[@vatza1344]

You know you've made it in life when you have the opportunity to fly a u2... I think I would have cryied beeing upthere

[@noorodivergent]

You and me both 😭

[@ericdebruin4615]

I know the pilot! After he retired from the Air Force, he became an Instructor Pilot with Crew Training International at Beale AFB where he was a co-worker of mine back in 2010 and 2011.

[@NotMe-nh8kg]

He seems like a really cool dude to know.

[@WolfoftheWoodsAirsoft]

An experience of a lifetime...clinging to that last skin of life around this planet. I too would be at a loss for words.

[@PointCarpetMovies]

HQ my ass

[@hueynapalm]

reverse thrust probably thought no one would respond to you responding on a 4 year old video within an hour. The quality sucks though.

[@Denzel_Watchington]

IT'S 8 YEARS OLD, DICKBAG.

[@We_Reddit]

It is HQ, on my phone ten feet away.

[@ixion_cyb]

I'm so late

[@michaelcowell4654]

Just for all the commercials that popped up at inconvenient times, I've boycotted ANYTHING that you are about :D thanx for the "Skunk Flight" guys.

[@michaelcowell4654]

CIAT 14 checking in

[@michaelcowell4654]

Chillout guys, CIA University/6 months at Beale and you can do this

[@gemspotting6252]

What a fabulous machine and what a privilege to be able to experience it - this also makes me even more awestruck by how Concorde functioned at 60000 feet without the need for space suits and breathing apparatus - both outstanding pieces of engineering

[@kjpstorymaker7076]

Flat Earth Destroyed!!!

[@tentandoumcover]

kjp storymaker no, that camera uses fish-eyer

[@jackwood7508]

kjp storymaker the earth is round mate....

[@reillybrangan2182]

The camera is not using a Fish-eye lens, its not a gopro you blithering idiot

[@JeffreyOsb]

If it was a fisheye, it would bow the other way. do you know anything?

[@imapseudonym1403]

" no, that camera uses fish-eyer" Liar. If there was a fish-eye lens, the wing would be distorted. And it's not. Yet another flattard lie demolished by reality.

[@unoriginell6624]

Snoop dog is higher

[@ernestjohnandres3550]

I'm here to see how people argue about the earth being flat or sphere then I saw this comment... Priceless XD

[@mattengland3665]

Unoriginell Hahahahaha, no buses in space haha

[@thecaptainsarse]

LOL!!!!!!

[@garyhardman8369]

Snoop Dog, in common with all (c)rappers, is guilty of talking complete bollocks over somebody else's music.

[@Lt.Mingus69]

Internet...won.

[@jackharper3190]

I used to fly all the was up to 60.000 feet. It was breathtaking but I was the most time too busy to enjoy the moment.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

James having a once in a lifetime experience : " I need to scratch my face" LMAO

[@Stickleback]

5:41 The world is round.

[@_Winterz]

There are many celebrities who have the chance to fly in a fighter plane or other... But with James May it hits differently since he is genuinely an aviation enthusiast. He's not there like he's on a roller coaster, he's actually living the experience.

[@messerschmittme-1098]

I love how these two are chatting it up as if this could be their last flight

[@matthewerwood7918]

I always wondered if that flat earther who raised enough money to build his own rocket could just use those funds towards a ride in this plane, it must be doable if James was able to go up.

[@PaulA-bv1rt]

They allowed James May to ride in the plane but drew the line at allowing Hampster to fly it.

[@TheLondonForever00]

James May on the edge of space... Uploads video in 240p

[@goldmanjace]

it never ceases to amaze me. How a civilian, non american at that, can get in a military plane and go to the edge of space. My father, a us army veteran of 22 years and vietnam vet, is not even alowed to sit in a fighter jet! Dont get me wrong, I am happy for james. By the way, my fathers first name also.

[@shaunportlock4924]

You're right, it's pretty disgusting,same in England

[@animatedbox4667]

His final words thats human❤️

[@erich835]

"I think it's safe to say, we are the second highest people in the world." Snoop Dogg - "Sounds about right."

[@dwightWSmith73]

Oh look----"The earth is flat" said nobody ever from the cockpit of this plane. A friend of mine has a wife who believes the earth is flat. Send her up in this plane.

[@nothsim]

Millionaires and billionaires can’t buy that ride but a car guy from the the UK has surpassed us all.

[@BadThrusher]

That pilot being so hospitable with very little words is such an underrated communication skill

[@franckbewar6627]

Incroyable.. J'en ai eu les larmes aux yeux tellement j'aimerai être à sa place. 👍👍🙏👍👍 Quel chance il a ! Félicitations pour le grand professionnalisme et le sang froid du pliote également 👍💪👍

[@ashworthcustoms]

The pilot with the coke bottle glasses is a living dagger. The man is sharp. A very high peak in terms of pilots.

[@echohunter4199]

We make amazing things. Can’t wait for the Zimbabwe Air Force version to debut.

[@alexanderbjorklund6971]

Ive been on one of those airplanes. The view is amazing

[@grahamrothwell5448]

You must be a highly experienced pilot then ??? ,must be a privilege to get to fly these "dragon ladies " seen 1 taking off from RAF FAIRFORD, UK OMG THEY climb rapid fast, ive watched this several times already, ✈✈✈😎😍

[@andrewmaguire4476]

Liar Liar pants on fire!

[@bashbailey6778]

Of course you have….. 😆😆

[@Highnz57]

Damn! Pretty badass. Earth looked pretty damn flat from these altitudes. When the horizon gets higher up the fuselage window, it starts looking rounded. But when the horizon is lower in the fuselage window, it looks flat AF. Would be cool if they filmed an uncut/ unedited trip around the world. I'd watch TF outta that. Really cool foo tage. Has to be the experience of a lifetime for May. For anyone.

[@Skyrim_NPC]

I wasn’t sure, first he showed the curvature but then in the next moment with his other camera the horizon was flat as fuck…

[@97Crazysteve]

You flat-earthers are sad.

[@Skyrim_NPC]

@@97Crazysteve I ain’t flat head tho 😎

[@BrianHurry]

This is the best video of his career and the best video on the internet.

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

5:00 I think this camera B-Roll made it in as a nod to James' automotive journalism roots. He's done so much more than he probably imagined as a young man, and he genuinely is fascinated by the world. The U-2 is a marvel of human engineering. Old but gold. Both are legends

[@lm1584]

james had an OVERVIEW effect ..... wow

[@jeffthompson9622]

It looks like a view that flat earthers could learn from.

[@andrewdods2236]

As an educated and internationally travelled Australian, this flat earth thing is interesting to me. Are there really in bred hill billy christian types in the US that actually think the earth is flat? From a country that put the ISS up in orbit? And has planes flying to the edge of space every day? And has the whole world plotted for ICBM missile strikes. And gave the world Boeing jets that go around the rounded globe every hour of the day? Have these people never flown? I've seen the curvature of the earth, seen the sun setting and rising from the heights. It's ROUNDED dudes ... sheesh !!!

[@gavinbeacom3251]

@kirby morgan can't be asssed reading this

[@bobbergen1239]

I heard that the u2 is the one of the hardest planes to fly.

[@jkerman5113]

It is, I believe they have to keep it flying within 4 knots to not stall or lose control at supersonic speeds. Impressive stuff

[@Justanotherconsumer]

JKerman511 the “coffin corner.” It’s not supersonic, though. If they go faster, the plane will break, though I think at that point they’re basically at full thrust anyway and can’t really go any faster. If they go slower, the plane will stall.

[@Paradoxical124]

I believe I was on that airline flight that James pointed the camera down to. The pilot announced to the right side of the cabin that if we were to look up you could see a military aircraft.

[@Ryawa_Shpoora]

I remember watching this on TV. Made a fully grown man shed a tear. Oh, the smart people of KZbin, would anyone please let me know what is the name of the song? Amen!

[@riskybizkuts5949]

That's was awsome! But really!.........clam chowder!? Lol

[@sesatin2dawell]

lucky James...normally a ride that takes you this far up will be extremely costly

[@Dutchcomentatah]

sesatin2dawell or it might get the ryan air captain fired

[@CreditsBackBruh]

Daen Douma best comment ever

[@josephoutram]

hahahahaha :) underrated comment

[@Gaunter_ODimm]

It’s incredible and I know U2 like this video.

[@MichaelDelvalle-nt4gp]

its crazy that the blackbird can go even higher

[@scottl.1568]

Damn, how on Earth did I miss this?!

[@happyeggroll5267]

It'd be interesting to see the leaders of warring factions go to space together and then measure their hate when they return after realizing how small them and their problems are.

[@nickdawn3985]

How the F did that Brit get to go up in a U2, damn.

[@peteabrh-fairest9463]

Let's not forget who gave you your independence. Actually you never actually had your independence from Great Britain because you agreed to be a cooperation under admiralty law. Therefore you never gain your independence...fact

[@Somthinglevlogger]

@@peteabrh-fairest9463Precisely

[@Kazilikaya]

I can’t believe the U2 is still flying whilst the SR-71 is retired

[@jerbear7952]

I really appreciate when James says hes getting emotional that the Major says feel free. Emotions are good.

[@R2_D3]

240p isn't HQ....

[@jayscafe6173]

It was a different time!

[@R2_D3]

@@jayscafe6173 Even 14 years ago, 240p wasn't HQ...

[@aviation300x]

Imagine being the pilot and taking a moment to enjoy the view. Tell yourself what an incredible world we live in, take a breath and forget about politics, religion, warfare.

[@natelav534]

Imagine landing a plane that big that slowly on what are essentially bike wheels

[@zardozisnear7505]

It was all down hill from there, eh James? I'm not being a prick, reached my peak at 24, I was on the "A" team, for real so to speak, now I deliver stuff, but I'll never forget, and neither will he!

[@Miller78rc]

I thought you couldn't be a military pilot if you wore prescription glasses.

[@Alphoric]

Funny enough astronauts use Velcro to scratch their faces and it’s a genuinely problem that space agencies have to think about

[@freddymarcel-marcum6831]

When is it Clarksons turn?

[@jeremyadlermusic]

He's too tall he wouldn't fit😂😂😂😂😂

[@islandfocus2]

Only the lucky few can have that life time experience.

[@stanisawszczypua9076]

What an outstanding video!!! Maybe I will live long enough that such a high altitude flight would be possible for mere mortals like myself.

[@stanisawszczypua9076]

Also it would be soo funny if someone took the most annoying, loudest flat earths conspiracy believer - put him/her in a U2 or SR71 plane and force to enjoy the view of Earth curvature.🤣🤣🤣

[@juniorfio1196]

Random Person: The earth isn't flat?!?! How can this be? Me: *Facepalm*

[@gerRule]

Oh they’ll say it’s a fish eye lens haha

[@flatoutlogic3615]

Ger - And they’d be right.

[@stephanweinberger]

@Flat Out Logic strange that the wings are perfectly straight, isn't it...

[@Somthinglevlogger]

@@stephanweinbergerFr

[@skymaster4121]

Finally May can spy on Hammond and Clarkson to see how they’re doing in the car race

[@wcatholic1]

They're wearing full pressure suits, so wondering if they pressurize the cockpit.

[@nicholas045]

The cockpit is only partially pressurized but the suit is completely pressurized.

[@chafouaube985]

Our earth is so beautiful...

[@CERTIFIEDBABEWRANGLER]

You build a super cool spy plane, can reach the edge of space in an instance, all to gain valuable intel. And then fucking clouds ruin your plan lmao

[@STANDARDISSUE_]

**WELCOME BACK TO TOP GEAR**

[@jimmymiller77]

Very humbling looking at God's creation like this. Makes us seem so small. Thanks a million for posting. Jim

[@TheChube25]

Oh Lord, my God When I, in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art And when I think that God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art

[@jonoleech7832]

The U-2 is such a funny looking plane. The landing gear arrangement is wild.

[@90MinutenLang020Damsko]

WOW! For this, i have no words

[@goomanhlr5697]

How does the link in the description relate to the video

[@kobedunn465]

Imagine being on a commercial airliner as a passenger just trying to catch some zzz’s and you look outside and see a fucking Black scary looking spy plane

[@Brian-pu3ov]

Can’t wait til citizens can catch a real ride in a ufo

[@vaisakhsudhakar6739]

I WISH SOMEDAY I WOULD ALSO HAVE A WONDERFUL RIDE LIKES THIS.

[@joemanco1075]

They were actually just as entertaining as the view of earth

[@rovidavid99]

They wear suits like going to Mars with an oxygen tank.

[@irunfastxc7288]

I can’t believe they actually have a two person aircraft that does this. Makes sense, as the back seat normally has to run the spy operations while the pilot controls the plane itself, but still seems intuitively to be a single-passenger or unmanned platform.

[@DavidEVogel]

What you see is a training aircraft. It is not used for missions.

[@Void-zp9wq]

Finally flat earth is gone

[@gerRule]

Oh no it’s not 😂 stupidity will always exist

[@trythinkingforachange4201]

Thanks to religion, nationalism, racism, sexism and other stupid beliefs, Ger, you are so correct.

[@zangiefromanov2563]

Silly globalists have been trying to get rid of the flat stationary earth for hundreds of years and failed. Your magical spinning ball will disappear long before the flat earth does.

[@chrisobber5604]

@Gary Lee the horizone can't rise to eye level on a globe. Yep. Exactly what we experience i reality.

[@umute1653]

Being the avgeek he is THIS made him massivky happy

[@stevenmorley1639]

At the moment, the ultimate in Flying below the Karmen Line.

[@elisha.schiff]

Wait what? I thought this was a meme video! this is so cool!

[@citadelchase8858]

Everyone is gangster till a MiG 31 shows up and intercepts.