🇺🇸 The Interesting 🤔 Lockheed U-2 Landing Procedure

[@bobsurgranny]

SUBSCRIBE ● kzbin.info GREATEST LOW FLYBYS ● kzbin.info/www/bejne/laGXZWWBd5KIfbssi=BBtoqz1Aug7nqc_y The U-2 is very sensitive to crosswinds, which, together with its tendency to float over the runway, makes the aircraft notoriously difficult to land. As it approaches the runway, the cushion of air provided by the high-lift wings in ground effect is so pronounced that the U-2 will not land unless the wings are fully stalled. A landing U-2 is accompanied on the ground by a chase car, which is driven by a second U-2 pilot who assists the landing U-2 by reporting the aircraft's altitude and attitude. Once the aircraft has descended to an altitude of two feet above the runway the pilot initiates a stall and the aircraft falls from this height. Chase cars and live calling of aircraft altitude are necessary because the landing gear is not designed to absorb the weight of the aircraft when falling from altitudes much above two feet.

[@tonyferguson6298]

It is basicly a powered glider so the only way to land a glider is to stall it just above the runway then use the ailerons to gently let the wing down once the speed has gone.

[@burtvincent1278]

Returning from Osh Kosh one year I stopped in Kankakee for fuel. My little Cessna 150 decided the sun baked runway was too hot for its tires and commenced floating for what seemed like forever. With the end of the runway and a highway fast approaching I had to dump flaps and practically fly the damn thing into the ground. I would hate to face that on every landing like U2 pilots did. Didn't they have spoilers like gliders do or was that too much weight?

[@muhammadsteinberg]

Fully stalled is what all planes should be trying to achieve when landing.

[@richardmaingi7342]

Then it has alot of improvements to be done!

[@morrit33]

Holy mackerel. I just learned a TON in the last 10 minutes! Fantastic video and exanation, thank you!

[@sti9754]

I gotta say 10 outta 10 for your video skills. Always in focus, always framed well with no jerky movements. A joy to watch. Thanks for that.

[@bobsurgranny]

Glad you enjoy watching my footage 👍

[@rkbush27]

The U-2 first flew in 1955. This plane is still in service 65 years later. It remains a true testament to the genius of its designer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson and every man and woman who have toiled for 65 years in making advancements and keeping her flying!

[@TheJacksmen]

The current U-2S is far different than the 50's U-2C. Same basic design, but very different.

[@goober208]

Thats not the way they landed Thailand A guy in the chase car stuck the POGO wheels on them

[@2mootim]

@@TheJacksmen yes it is. I worked on them in 64-65

[@howardalward839]

Way back when, just after the Cuban Missile Crisis, , , , , I was about 10 when my father had to do a critically urgent camera repair for the U-2 at PAFB. He brought part of the shutter assembly home and repaired it on his desk. Then, he looks at me and asks me if I want to see a U-2? No kidding! Yes!! I saw the U-2 taking off and landing everyday but, NEVER up close. We called it "Smokey Joe". We pulled up to the hanger with just about all of the base's Air Police in hot pursuit. We got out of the car and the APs had their weapons drawn. They were demanding that my father tell them what was in the "box". He told them that they were not cleared!!!! They were just about ready to go nuts on us when the CIA pilot came out of the hanger. He had on his deck shoes, kaki pants and a Hawaiian shirt! He walked up to the nearest officer and told him to take his men and leave the area ASAP. They had a little argument and I'll never forget the CIA guy pointing down to the red lines on the asphalt while telling the security people that they were standing on HIS turf! They were very, very, upset but, they all left. We went into the hanger and my father started working with the ground crew putting the camera back together. The pilot took me all around the aircraft, letting me wiggle the flexible wings and all of theat , , ,. Then, he aks me, "Do you want to sit in my airplane?' OH, , , , MY, , , GOD! Yes! He got me into his seat, put his helmet on me, and showed my all of the controls! Heaven on Earth!!!

[@thiagohenriquecoelhodesouz1795]

Nice story 👍

[@roberttodd619]

Although I realize this story is complete fiction it's still a good story and if its not a total lie which it is how did you enter the cockpit??? Describe what that entailed. And just so you're aware that "airplane " is just a trainer

[@roberttodd619]

@@thiagohenriquecoelhodesouz1795 a story is all it is

[@michaelfound9010]

Guys Its a true store a long time ago when the saying "better dead than red" was popular and the only "enemies"we faced was the Russian 🐻 great share

[@howardalward839]

Sorry guys, it is all true!! I grew up in the late 1950's through the 1960's near the South end of the run way at Patrick AFB. We lived a mile south east of the southern end of the runway The U-2s were hard to miss. They'ed sit at the end of the runway and roar, and then scoot up into the air at a very steep climb. We called them “Smokey Joe”. They were kept in two hangers near the south end of the runway between the runway and South Patrick Drive. I could tell you what model aircraft it was just by the sound of its take-off. Anyway, , , , During the early '60s when Cuba was a center of attention, , , ,. My father had been a combat photographer in the Marine Corps during WWII and Korea. We moved to Brevard County in 1954 and he worked for RCA taking stills and motion of all the launches at The Cape. He and his buddies always kept the camera equipment in good working order every day. One late afternoon, he called my mother and told her to clear off his desk. He would be home right away. HURRY. He also told her to go to the linen closet and get two clean sheets from the bottom of the stack (they would have less dust and salt spray on them). My mother gave him some “back talk” and he told her in a very direct Marine kind of way: "Now, do not ask me why. DO EXACTLY WHAT I TELL YOU. NOW!" He got home and carried in a wooden box that was about an 18 to 24 inch cube. He also had his "kit" of camera tools from The Cape. He spread one sheet out on the desk, put the box and tools on it, turned on his desk lamp and put the other sheet over his head and desk. You could hear the clinking, the clicking, whizzing, cursing and the puffs from an air bulb duster. Whizz, @#$%!, whizz, click, whizz, @#$%!, click, puff, whizz, click, , , ,. He finished what he was doing and removed the sheet from over his head. He was fixing a film transport, or shutter, subassembly of one of the U-2's cameras! There was a Critical National Security "rush" mission requirement and there was no time to send the camera back to Wright Pat for repair. My father got everything wrapped up and asked me, "Hey Howie, you want to go see a U-2? I was 9 or 10 at the time. You kidding, is the Pope Catholic! It was dark, about 8PM. We got in the car and drove through the South Patrick Drive gate, he had all the proper decals and such on the car for access to The Cape and Patrick, so we got waved through. Except, , , , he took a left towards the U-2 hanger! That did it!!!! We pulled up to the hanger with half of the base's Air Police (AP) hot on our tail! With weapons drawn the AP's were telling my dad and I to HALT, what do we think we are doing, and WHAT is in the box? My father, The Marine, is telling them that it was way, way, classified over their heads and that they should turn around and leave, , , ,. Lots of yelling and screaming. I was freaked out. But then, out of the hanger comes a cool looking guy in kakis and a Hawaiian shirt. He's putting his hand up telling the APs to stand down and such at about the same time the the Officer of the Day (OD) shows up. The OD is pretty darn upset about this civilian and child being so close to "THE HANGER" and such. The "cool guy" and the OD start to do a little belly butting. The OD wants us to be forcibly removed. The "cool guy" points out that the APs and the OD are on the wrong side of the Red Lines around the hanger. The OD is saying "so what?", but the cool guy sternly states that everything inside the Red Lines is HIS, not the Air Forces! IF they do not stand down and leave us alone, he will call his own “security” and take command of the GD base! The "cool guy" was the CIA pilot! The APs and the OD back off to the other side of the Red Line, and we go into the hanger. My dad gets with the ground crew techs and they stick their heads up in to the camera bay of the U-2. The pilot asks me if I want to see his bird. He walks me around the aircraft and shows me how flexible the wings were and such. I was in Heaven. He then put me into the cockpit and put his helmet on me. I thought that the helmet was pretty strange because it was not like the normal fighter pilot helmets of the time: it was one of the new “full face space man” types. He shows me all of the controls and such. My father got done and we left the hanger. A caravan of AP vehicles followed us to the gate, one of them followed us all the way home!

[@ExtremelyOCD]

This takes an outstanding pilot to fly. Somewhat small window between stall speed and max speed. Amazing plane and amazing pilots.

[@burtvincent1278]

The chase car at Utapao Thailand in 1971 was a SS 396 El Camino. It would set on the hammer head of the runway waiting for the bird to land then accelerate at maximum rate ( drag race) to catch up. There would nearly be fist fights to see who would drive it. A good crew could catch the wing tip and support it as the aircraft slowed thus preventing wear on the wing tip skids. When the El Camino was seen waiting on the runway end an audience of B52 mechanics usually started forming. One was me.

[@carloslvaldez7239]

I was waiting for a crewman to go out & handle the wingtip before the plane stopped

[@pete1729]

That's some legendary stuff right there. Was the El Camino painted in Air Force colors? It's a story I'd like to hear more about.

[@burtvincent1278]

@@pete1729 Yes, the Chevelle was painted ugly Air Force blue the same color as our International step Van's. On the roads you drove on the left side in Thailand. These American vehicles had the controls also on the left. This was very unhandy. Being products of the car culture 60s the guys really appreciated this taste of home. The spectacle was usually greeted with fist pumps, chants of "Get it" and Beach Boys music going off in our heads. Can you imagine topping out an El Camino with two lunatics rattling loosely around in the bed as being part of an approved Air Force procedure today?🤣

[@steveallen1055]

@@pete1729 At Davis Montana AFB just outside Tucson the El Camino's were used. I worked on the nav systems and sitting in the cockpit if the U-2 C or R models was exciting. The C model cockpit was tiny. It was fun watching the El Camino drag racing down the runway catching to plane. They were the only Air Force cars on base with air conditioning. They did look good in Air Force blue.

[@dhaun5853]

@@steveallen1055 I think the El Camino's in 1973 had 454 engines. If I remember correctly, they were Air Force Blue but in a sporty motif.

[@Ashfielder]

Incredible how far they went to save weight in this thing. Also incredible it’s still in service after over 60 years.

[@OVERHERE-OVERHERE]

Toby Wood It is amazing that the U2 still in active military service is the SR 71 blackbird active decommissioned, Saw only one During my US Air Force service,Proud and lucky to have been an airman

[@DieyoungDiefast]

America seems to have a habit of building something for the military and then getting their moneys worth out of it.... B52, U2, M113, M809 truck, AH1, C130, P3 Orion, KC135, M109 and the chassis for the M107 / M110

[@1tobicat]

Geo Thomas, true. Also need a lot of wing to creat enough lift at 70,000+ feet.

[@Mors_Inimicis]

DieyoungDiefast Good point , I’d add the A10 ‘Warthog’ to that list too.

[@lmao.3661]

BM Too expensive and satellites could do the same work for less

[@alex56video]

I've only seen still photos of this iconic jet plane. Only in terms of history, Cuban Crisis, President Kennedy, etc. What a privilege to see video footage of the U-2 in flight and then land. Thank you for the upload and post. Truly a rare and real moment.

[@Birdfarmer862]

Google U-2 on an aircraft carrier to see more footage (USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ranger, 1964)

[@BV-nq7wd]

The U2 makes such a unique sound that when I'm at my home above Beal Air Force Base I always know when they are flying even though sometimes I can't see them.

[@RCHeliJet]

Like it and the Car behind the U-2 to tell the Pilot the Position, fantastic Landing, thumb up.

[@incognitoburritto3333]

@Larry Monske that car had to be hauling some serious butt good gosh

[@quaidbergo]

@@incognitoburritto3333 he swung round the corner onto the runway almost on two wheels so he must have hooring it.

[@GBLynden]

Fancy seeing you hear man! 😀

[@MrElChinero]

Taxi-ed faster than I would have expected. Braking has to be marginal. Wind turbines ... Brits not worried about cancer, it seems

[@faithfamilyandcountry7452]

As a kid I lived at Beale AFB where the U2 and SR-71 was based. I always seen flying over head. Now 30+ years later I still love watching them.

[@bobsurgranny]

Fantastic! If you witness planes up close as a kid it grips you and never lets go

[@RemoteViewr1]

It simply doesn't want to stop flying. It's all go go go. It floats in descent under protest to its nature. How incredible to see. Superlatives are so go to, they have lost all impact. In fact, this plane is literally amazing. Wow.

[@bobsurgranny]

Absolutely

[@MrCarnutbill67]

Man those crew guys look like they’re having fun. What a cool job to support such an amazing aircraft.

[@ben3989]

I appreciated the hustle by the recovery team.

[@maxwellschmidt4498]

@BenDavis i do the same thing for f16s and when the jets are commin back you're allways runnin around atleast till the jet is shut down

[@trespire]

Ground crew make it happen.

[@TheJacksmen]

Standard Pogo crew. Except when I did it, it was only 2 of us. The bird was also not a mission bird and was very low on fuel. Normally working the high wing down takes some effort. Every minute that the wings are not level, 6 gal of fuel is transferring. The Pogos also weight about 65lbs.

[@mohammedalmukhtar5428]

The U-2 is one of a kind .RIP Clarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson

[@JetNmyFuture]

This is the same aircraft George Washington flew during the American revolution. Really amazing to see this aviation legend still gracing the sky.

[@tonyarmstrong488]

JetNmyFuture maga

[@danejurus69]

That was hilarious when Trump said they flew planes during the Revolutionary War. What a friggin moron.

[@jerryrose2083]

The Nimble Ninja, there are some people who have absolutely no sense of humor.

[@packingten]

@@jerryrose2083 Yes Jerry LIBERALS!, Well maybe they do..So get this they want to elect a president who is a Child/Woman molester with ALZHEIMERS... Now thats FUNNY😁

[@chordsofgratitude2073]

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/07/05/planes-revolutionary-war/?outputType=amp Opinion | The planes of the Revolutionary War www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-revolutionary-war-airports/ Did Trump Say Revolutionary War Troops Took Over Airports? amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/05/flight-of-fancy-trump-claims-1775-revolutionary-army-took-over-airports Flight of fancy: Trump claims 1775 revolutionary army 'took over ...

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

Europe based aircraft used to be designated TR-1 but changed to U2R. Last delivered in 1989, so its about 31 years old. The landing are good but take off is incredible. They go up close to vertical. I used to work 5 miles from Alconbury and you could hear them go.

[@kirkmooneyham]

Alconbury was a nice base, and the people of Huntingdonshire were gracious hosts.

[@Alex-gh7cd]

Im lucky to live 20 minutes away from RAF Fairford, i see these aircraft take off and land regularly and it never gets old

[@rafaelrubalcaba1553]

In my humble opinion... one of the most beautiful planes

[@umami0247]

I’ve always been a SR guy but these would be a blast to go up on a flight. They have a certain beauty rough beauty but they will be around for awhile.

[@craigrehfuss4689]

Back in 60' and 70's in Nam we had El Caminos as Chase cars. They would chase down the plane and install the wing wheels while it was still moving. It never stopped moving until parked.

[@bugman9787]

Craig Rehfuss I was stationed at Davis Mothan AFB in Tucson, 1970-71 and the had the 396 El Caminos too, two of them with a guy in the bed of each one and they would stick the wheels under the wings while the plane was still moving. You would think there would be video somewhere showing that process!

[@waltbas]

@@bugman9787 I remember that. thought it was one of the coolest jobs.

[@bugman9787]

waltbas that, and another great job was I guy in Okinawa that ran a boat out of the harbor. He was an Air Force guy, welcomed you aboard the boat

[@bugman9787]

Welcomed you aboard the boat and didn’t do much after that. He had an Okinawaian that did everything! I thought how do you get that job!

[@bugman9787]

When I was in the Air Force stationed at Davis Mothan AFB in 1970-71 they had guys sitting in the beds of two SS 396 El Caminos with the wheels for the wings. They would be in front of the U2 as it landed and put the wheels on while the U2 was still moving. It took pretty good timing!

[@Mike_S_Swift]

Robert Ellis yep same setup and procedure at Bien Hoa VN 68’. Think they had 4 guys in the back and they raced ahead of the plane and were much faster getting the wheels on. Then the pilot fast taxied into a hanger

[@bugman9787]

222triple I have some pictures of the U2 and I didn’t remember the skids on the ends of the wings. I wonder why they changed, maybe because they didn’t make El Camino’s anymore. I guess a regular pickup wasn’t fast enough or to high. I thought those guys had a pretty cool job. They also gassed up at the regular base gas station where they could get the high octane gas.

[@bugman9787]

I was lucky, saw the U2 at Davis Mothan, and before that in Okinawa at Kadena got to see the SR 71 take off, quite a site!

[@Mike_S_Swift]

Robert Ellis after VN I went to Thailand but my friend that was with me in VN went to Okinawa and saw the SR 71. Said it could take off on 1/10 power. I never saw one except in a static display. I met a pilot that flew them but didn’t really want to talk too much about it. Said they got pretty hot though.

[@bugman9787]

222triple all you had to do was hear it take off, you knew what it was and you had to look fast. As soon as the wheels were off the ground, they stood it on its tail and headed for the clouds and it was gone. The pilots used to walk around the base with Orange flight suits with their black Hamburg patch on with the Mach 3+ on their sleeve. They were the closest things to gods on that base!

[@quanahthompson6000]

I was stationed in the Far East back in the ‘80s and while waiting for the work bus one morning one of these U2s floated over our base and suddenly did a tail stand and the noise was deafening! I joke about the 3 loudest things I’ve ever heard, a Ted Nugent concert in ‘76, a U2 doing a tail stand over our position and a kitchen full of Philippino women.

[@user-rl9mn6cy9s]

I was clinically deaf after seeing Ted in the Hollywood Sportatorium in Florida.

[@jhullianjaphetladion3239]

As A filipino I agree

[@JetFalcon710]

As a deaf person, an F-35 (or something similar, idk) doing touch-and-gos is currently the loudest thing I have ever heard. Where I live, it's actually pretty common to see and hear planes in general -- my town is near two airports and an air force base, so we also hear F-35s pretty often ;v;

[@PhilTheProf]

You got that in the wrong order.

[@smoothkaos2]

I used to work this airframe and they're very loud on vert takeoffs (you probably witnessed a failed touch and go). I've witnessed all the entire inventory and the B-1 Bone taking off with burners is the loudest I've ever heard. Shook your innards lol

[@woooster17]

Almost comical in its simplicity.. not seen the actual procedure before.. Appreciate the upload..

[@ilaser4064]

1950's tech, amazing there hasn't been a complete replacement for its role.

[@peterng3607]

no defect in gear ?

[@martinjh999]

@@ilaser4064 I think the SR71 was supposed to replace it but it got too expensive to use...

[@juangastelum4527]

Recovery team getting 100% VA disability when they retire. VA: state you claim Crew: back hurts, picked up planes with my back.

[@c431inf]

😂

[@burtvincent1278]

Oh and agent orange too.

[@karlzimmer683]

Do any of you have the foggiest idea what you’re talking about?

[@burtvincent1278]

@@karlzimmer683 nope.

[@notcook628]

Juan Gastelum VA: State your claim. Crew: What? VA: I said, STATE YOUR CLAIM! Crew: What? You’re going to have to speak up Doc! VA: I SAID, oh, never mind! Crew: What!?

[@georgeknowles5327]

That was interesting. Three strong men and teamwork. I wonder how heavy the outrider wheels are?

[@1320fastback]

The way he ran with it I'm guessing 20 pounds or so. Not too much.

[@georgeknowles5327]

@@1320fastback Thanks. The jockey wheel on my caravan is about the same. I didn't know that the U2 was still operational. I remember the Gary Powers incident way back. 60s?

[@shadow138_7]

Ultimate NASCAR pit crew traning.

[@jupitercyclops6521]

Not a bad gig; sit in the climate control vehicle smoking cigarettes & watching captain kangaroo until one lands, then its "hut hut hut hut hut hut hut hut......hut hut"

[@frankbonini1684]

They weigh between 20 and 30 pounds and go through a thorough cleaning and inspection every time they are released from the aircraft upon takeoff.

[@Rurikovich117]

Да, такой завалили под Свердловском с Гари Пауэрсом!!! 1 мая 1960 года. Высоко летел. ...... Я служил на ЗРК С75. "В 08:53 МСК при пролёте близ села Косулино и в районе Верхне-Сысертского водохранилища U-2 был сбит ракетой ЗРК С-75 2-го дивизиона 57-й зенитной ракетной бригады расчётом под командованием майора Михаила Воронова."

[@dmitrimedved2032]

Вася,пока его сбили он всю рашку отфоткал.

[@Jungleland33]

The Skunk Works were so far ahead of their times with the U2 and the SR71. All done with pencils and slide rules. Incredible really when you think about it.

[@bobsurgranny]

Remarkable engineering achievements.

[@mrthingy9072]

Great to see the old Lady again, used to work with them back in the 80s at Osan AB in Korea. When I wasn't sitting a mission I'd go and watch them take off and go back out when she was coming back in to land, never tired of watching them. Back then the chase vehicles were Chevrolet El Caminos because they had enough speed to catch up to count the pilot down (you can't see the runway well from the cockpit when landing) to the ground, AND you could put the pogos in the bed of the El Camino easily. Not sure (other than "fun") why they went to the little Pontiacs for chase vehicles, we never had an issue with the El Caminos doing chase and pogo carry. I miss the old Lady and doing the job I did back then. So long ago, and yet I can remember it all like it was yesterday. This one looks similar to the U-2R that we had back in the 80s at Osan, not sure when this video was taken. I think they're flying the U-2S these days with that weird contraption on the top of it. I know what the pods carry and what that elongated nose has in it, but I have no idea what's in the top pod of the U-2S they have these days - I'm guessing SATCOM gear of some sort. Anyway, great video. Brings back some good memories, and one bad memory but you take the good with the bad.

[@A.J.1656]

I was a crew chief at Beale in the early to mid 2000's. I don't know all the gizmos that were in there, but my understanding was the top (the turd) one was beaming info to satellites and the one on the bottom (nut sack) beams info to the ground. The long nose was the ASARS 2 system that I believe takes wide sweeping radar imagery of the ground. I'm not sure what was in the wing mounted super pods. When they were decked out there were so many extra antennas protruding from everywhere, it was easy to get snagged or bonk into the ones you weren't used to.

[@peterhardester1483]

These operated out of Moffat Field in CA for years. We would turn around and watch them take off in their crazy steep climb. The unique roar of the U2 take off is unmistakable and wonderful!

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

@0:27....love how that Charger came out of nowhere and start chasing the plane down full speed.....😁.....I'd love to have that job.....

[@daveshively3295]

Chase car must have a hemi! Lol😂

[@dtennow]

The guy behind the wheel of the car is also a U2 pilot.

[@pjcsmo]

When I rode in the new Mustang SSP chase car at RAF Alconbury, I learned that driving the chase car was what the U-2 pilots did on the days they weren't flying. So they knew they had to do a good job, as the other pilot would be helping HIM tomorrow.

[@saiprasad8078]

That ground crew man is actually CLARK KENT -- he balanced the whole aircraft on his back.

[@glennroberts461]

Well now, things have changed. Many years ago I watched them put the gear in while the aircraft was still moving. They'd sit in the back of a pickup and pull up under the wing, pop it in, drive around to the other side and do the same thing.

[@mellowb1rd]

If the name "RAF Fairford" doesn't give away the fact that it's not the US, the church in the background should

[@MarkNorville]

It is still called RAF Fairford however whenever americans set up a base, whatever soil they invade then becomes american. It is classed as an american base and american soil.

[@moguaiato5583]

@@MarkNorville to bad America never invaded england. As with many of the airbases in the UK they are shared with the brits thus called RAF

[@TheDjalcapone]

It was u.s though decommissioned now. Lived on the base as a kid for about 6 years probably 20 years ago

[@oyeahyeahiyeahyeah9456]

Arron Phillips lucky

[@richarnold8951]

Its one of the US air bases hence the dodge USAF charger. Also like RAF lakenheath

[@trespire]

Perfect landing on a unicycle while blindfolded, that's quite a circus trick !

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

At some point it all should come down to muscle memory alone.

[@bobsurgranny]

That's a good way of putting it

[@DavidEVogel]

Actually two wheels. Bicycle landing gear.

[@trespire]

@@DavidEVogel Ok, 2 wheels, but like a penny farthing 🙂

[@cloudplay6028]

Never seen this before so thx for the upload

[@rosewhite---]

handles like a sports car instead of a truck...

[@Velocitydrive]

NuclearQuantumLasers PewPewPew thats the life

[@mprumsey]

I worked on them from 1985 to 1991, was stationed at RAF Alconbury. It was the greatest time in my life

[@pjcsmo]

I had a small engineering group at Alconbury during those exact years as well as a larger group at the ground station in Germany, so made it a point to visit the UK a number of times. Later we relocated our large ground station to Beale and I still would stop and watch the takeoffs and landings. Also since the ER-2s were stationed at NASA at Moffet field close to my office in California, we often got to see them there also.

[@Declan-pg8cg]

The beautiful dragon lady. That Wing is something else.

[@orgeebaharvin8892]

I've seen these up close on Osan AB in South Korea. These U2s are REALLY LOUD, you wouldn't think the are but wow!

[@EzraMerr]

so lucky

[@Neildo430ci]

I belive this type model did a fly bye at General William J. Fox Air show. March 24, 2018. Yes, swooped in, climbed to right bank. Very load.

[@dylanlamb8710]

I’ve ridden with the “pogo” team, and it’s a pretty cool experience.

[@bobsurgranny]

Lucky you

[@creightonleerose582]

Such an interesting air-frame, overall design, its inherent capabilities & flight characteristics eh? My father in law was a former U2 pilot/retired U.S ChairForce Colonel, upon service branch retirement then going to work for Northrup-Grumman. Hes got some wild personal stories & secondary/squad members accounts of flying the U2! Cool vid! Thanks for sharing....

[@markl4670]

A U2 landed at Fairford yesterday. I live nearby and it flew over my garden.

[@aaahtex902]

Great to see the U2's back in the air again!!!

[@SR71GIRL]

What a BEAUTIFUL beast! I am SO fortunate to have grown up watching, learning about this complicated aircraft as well as the INCREDIBLE SR71 BLACKBIRD... SHE WAS/ IS MY FAVORITE. Very sad for those that have never seen these aircraft. Powers was a friend of my dad. The pilots of these aircraft are my HEROS!!!

[@stever8776]

Great to watch that beautiful aircraft. Loved to watch them take off and land at Osan AFB in Korea in 1980! Also the SR71 at Kadena AFB in Okinawa😀👍 I also remember on September 1, 1983 when I was Stationed in Okinawa the USSR shot down Korea Airlines Flight 007. I was stationed as a Technician on the US Coast Guard's LORAN Station. LORAN was the precursor of GPS. It was a 100 khz 1 megawatt signal that used Cesium atomic clocks as a timing base. We received an 'Immediate level' message to absolutely not let any of our stations go off air. Moments later I remember Flights of F15s scrambled and Rushing North. An Immediate Level message is just below a Z or Flash message which basically means the ballon has gone up i.e. we were at war. Scary for a while! Cheers

[@scottbrown6305]

I watched this procedure many times back when they used El Caminos as the chase car(at a different location ). Every so often the Lady might wind up in the ditch but normally it went like clockwork

[@goober208]

Used to watch this at Utapao

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at MCAS El Toro from '73-76. The U-2 is near the top of the coolest planes that came through.

[@victormanuelpolanco922]

So it sheds midwing stabilizing wheels upon take off just to be replaced back on upon landing?. Curious!!!!.

[@OldMtnGeezer]

They built it with every weight-saving strategy they could conceive of & still get the job done. (No beer cooler on this baby - not even cup holders!)

[@ripDenmarkVesey]

Aren't the stabilizing wheels useless once in the air ?

[@victormanuelpolanco922]

@@ripDenmarkVesey it depends on whether they can be retracted back into the wing or not. Since weight- saving was a major issue in its design I can guess NO, they are useless once airborne!!!!.

[@ripDenmarkVesey]

@@victormanuelpolanco922 Thats my point. They're shedded because they're not needed.

[@jupitercyclops6521]

They just need to jb weld the wing

[@richardmanginelli2624]

A Testament to American engineers, along with the B-52, 65yrs and still Protecting America , THANK YOU !

[@TheTonjol]

É muito interessante a decolagem e o pouso do U2........ eu diria que é um operação de decolagem e pouso, bastante artesanal, :-) belissima maquina, todo cuidado é pouco com uma obra de arte dessas, maravilhosa, fantástica :-)

[@АндрейКондратьев-с1з]

Часть своего незнания по U-2 я удовлетворил. Теперь я знаю, как он садится и что при этом делают. Интересный конструкторский подход!

[@АлексейСафронов-с4п]

Короче дроволет!

[@brianwisdom6826]

Miss the sound of the Dragonlady. Takes me back! Thank you!

[@bobsurgranny]

You're welcome. Very distinctive sound

[@madmoran1029]

Amazing! Hell if a job by the ground crew. Also, that cop has balls. I thought the plane was going to land on him. Hats off to the Vets and current crews that keep this awesome bird operational.

[@piffblaza]

what fuckin cop lol that’s the chase car to count the pilot down as the plane is tough to see out of

[@kf8575]

It's a chase car. In it there is another pilot calling out attitude of the wings, yaw from centreline and most importantly the attitude. When they come in to land, they descend to around 2ft from the ground, then the pilot has to intentionally stall the aircraft so it drops from minimal height due to the amount of lift the wings create. The landing gear is only lightweight and would be damaged otherwise.

[@madmoran1029]

@@kf8575 thank you for answering the multitude of questions that were popping off in my brain housing group! We’re you a pilot or crew?

[@Peter-ox7wh]

You can even feel the enormous winglift that this plane must and need to have.

[@darrylarrington8323]

They fly where the air isn't so thick.

[@2mootim]

@@darrylarrington8323 yes , don't need lift for weight, just height

[@stephenbrinckerhoff3510]

I used to see this quite often at times while working a Beale, Moffat and Ames/NASA. U-2's, SR-71's and even Ospreys. It was amazing to see a quick take-off maneuver of the U-2. It barely took more than the length of the plane to be airborne. Fire it up, lock the brakes and release it like a slingshot. The SR-71 was a bit different. It needed refueling almost as soon as it was in the air because it leaked fuel so bad at ground level and it needed the runway length.

[@alienxna6511]

Was very lucky to walk the U2 flightline at Beale AFB (known as 'Recce Town') in the early '90's. Saw both take-offs and landings with the Chase cars, including a training flight where that U2 had a double cockpit for the instructor and student. Never forget as they both walked out in their high-pressure suits, they gave us a salute as they passed by!

[@oldergeologist]

Great video. Very well put together.

[@Mors_Inimicis]

A really good piece of footage . As the U2 taxied in I thought of a diva with her entourage following behind 😂

[@frankderryberry1412]

She's spacey.

[@sNoLove-zl2vb]

James May goes up in one on one of his shows. It's freaking awesome and amazing the training involved. Super cool.

[@Dagowly83]

They're called pogos, standard operating procedure for a U2 on recovery.

[@mikebryant4596]

It is always exciting to see these TR-1/ U-2’s operating. I worked on these babies many years ago. 👍 Beautiful

[@2mootim]

how many?

[@airborne350g]

TR-1…. now that brings back memories

[@leefury7]

Use to watch this at Tyndall AFB where they had an El Camino chase vehicle.

[@RyanSmith-se7kw]

Talk about BADASS , WOW , it's a Joy to watch PROFESSIONAL'S !!!

[@SteveSmith-ho8cy]

What about take off, do the pogo wheels drop off, or is there another why of doing things?

[@carloslvaldez7239]

The way I understand it, when on it's takeoff run is fast enough that the tips rise, the pilot unlocks the outriggers to fall away so that the plane can now climb. Please correct me if I am wrong

[@cliffjones8809]

you can see them fall off on the take off video

[@2mootim]

@@carloslvaldez7239 there is a pin with a flag on it that is pulled just before takeoff that allows the Pogo to fall to the ground as the wings lifts.

[@DavidEVogel]

@@2mootim Correct.

[@ShannonSmith4u2]

Fabulously done. Beautiful aircraft, phenomenal service for all these decades. Makes you wonder what the conversation was when the engineers were talking about it to the rest of the team, "so, when it takes off, the wing wheels & tires will fall off." "Have you lost your minds? Fall off? Is that the best solution that you could come up with?" "Well, yes, then when it lands a motor car can be there so the pilot knows how far off the ground he is." "A motor car? Are you daft?"

[@pjcsmo]

A car provides the best estimate of the last 15 feet to the runway, as the pilot cant see past the long nose of the plane housing critical sensor systems, he is wearing a space suit, has been sitting there for 11 hours, and the jet wants to turn into a glider as it approaches the runway. He must ease it down to less that two feet (1 foot is better) and then "crash" the plane to get it on the ground. Any higher, and things might "get bent". So the pilot driving the chase car can see with precision not available to the on-board pilot.

[@charlesahedges7088]

Wow, didnt know its landing a bike.No room for mistakes.Hell of a pilot.

[@theprojectproject01]

Not only that, but at altitude, its minimum speed is very close to its maximum speed. They have to be VERY careful in turns.

[@aco319sig3]

Here's what happens when the landing goes badly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5LQn4evm9CIeLs

[@roymurray6374]

For the gearhead, hot rodders of the world, the chase vehicles are always of interest, from big block El Caminos, to Fox Body Mustangs, Camaros, late model GTOs, and now, not surprising Chargers, I have seen a vid with a Tesla running chase. So cool, the history of this bird and its ground support.

[@hansvandijk1487]

Orville and Wilbur used the same technique. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@icorezx14r]

Very cool video, what an absolutely awesome plane!

[@bobsurgranny]

Thanks. Sure is

[@guitarsarelikestupid7200]

Interesting to see the pilot sans pressure suit. Must have been a short, low altitude ferry flight or training flight.

[@ericstyles3724]

A black albatros w fuel & a camera..!

[@bobsurgranny]

Yes just a local training flight

[@Emlizardo]

Absolutely GORGEOUS landing.

[@bobsurgranny]

Impressive seeing the most difficult aircraft to land, absolutely buttered on touchdown. Glad you could appreciate and enjoy the video - plenty more to come!

[@davkenrem]

Pilot in this on not wearing a Presurre suit, must not be an operational mission.

[@bobsurgranny]

Yes just a local practice flight

[@portuguesnomundo]

Nice video

[@bobsurgranny]

thanks

[@Gabrulo_knifemaking]

So is like landing a bicycle, the pilot must be freaking good

[@kylesnider5255]

U2 pilots are selected out of the top 1% of all pilots

[@elruchal]

And the wind

[@UKAviationMovies]

Absolutely awesome. What a privilege to get this footage! Awesome work bud, thanks for sharing!

[@octane2099]

This was the “UFO” people would see around Area 51 then after was the black bird sr-71/a-12

[@macmike8329]

And maybe some others that weren't announced but not ufo's...

[@andyhutch1947]

I posted somewhere about seeing a U-2 land during the day at Bien Hoa Air Force Base. It had a chase vehicle, an El Camino with a rack or hand hold at the back of the cab. A guy was in the bed and he stood up and grabbed one wing tip and pulled a single wheel with a long strut attached. He slid it up in a fitting and the wing tilted over slightly to put weight on the wheel. The car sped around to the other wing tip and repeated the process. I saw one take off and it had the same type wheels except that when it lifted off the ground the wheels fell off to the ground. Pretty spectacular. I took 20 pics of it landing with my Kodak Instamatic Camera. I sent the roll off to Hawaii at the Kodak Developing Facility. A couple weeks later I received my box of developed slides. All black. There was a letter accompanying the slides. In a nutshell it said if I do this again the Feds will come and arrest me. Promises, promises, promises!

[@ДВжитель-ч5р]

U-2 - legend of aviation! Greetings from Russia!

[@freenational]

Russia has an equivalent?

[@mikeserrano734]

It was spying on the soviet union

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

@@freenational There's the Myasishchev M-55. A high altitude research plane more similar to the ER-2 than the U-2. There was also a variant of the YAK-25 interceptor called the YAK-25RV meant for high altitude reconnaissance.

[@drewpinnock7286]

Amazing video! How did you get above the fence?

[@cacornett58]

It's how they do it every time.

[@roberttodd619]

It's not actually most have triangle tow bracket for faster taxi this is just the best the British have...

[@lewislaws6770]

@@roberttodd619 i worked at RIAT for two years, and i can confirm this is how they did it both times. the americans even brought their own tow and fuelling vehicles for their aircraft, so this has literally nothing to do with the equipment us brits have.

[@moguaiato5583]

@@roberttodd619 to bad its a American AF plane not owned by the brits

[@mikewebb4730]

I understand plugging in the wing-tip wheels, but what is all the attention given to the main gear and tail-wheel - just checking?

[@AD66Liberty]

Mike Webb probably pinning the gear so it is locked down.

[@dckuk]

Steve, correct...

[@MLOCharmer]

They sure do give the intakes a wide berth!

[@bobsurgranny]

I'm sure U2 would ;)

[@lawrenceogden3736]

Great video , on the ground how does it turn is it the nose wheel that steers or the jockey wheel at the back that moves.

[@bobsurgranny]

Good question actually. Looks like the back wheel is steering here, seems like it's the opposite to a standard plane with the jockey wheel being the steerer at the front..

[@willburrito9710]

When I was a kid living in Panama in the early ‘60s you’d hear these things taking off in the morning from Allbrook AFB. They sounded like small rocket ships! On their way to take pictures over Cuba. Then later in the day during Little league baseball practice you’d hear the whine of the engines a mile away. When they glided down over our heads on final it was super scary.

[@uralbob1]

Very friggin' cool!

[@MrEsMysteriesMagicks]

Wow! Two guys lifting the plane up for the third guy to put the wheels on! Those guys must eat their Wheaties!

[@777OpHiUcHuS]

Super-professional flightline crew. Hurrah!

[@БыдлоЛысое-х6й]

Самое зрелищное приземление U2 - когда он по "ошибке" залетает на территорию России))

[@ПётрИванков-й2п]

Расскажи это расейский подводникам с подлодки "Курск" которых торпедировала американская подлодка Мемфис, которая похоже тоже по ошибке заплыла в Баренцево море))

[@Дмитрий-с3с8е]

Пётр Иванков ты в цру украинском похоже работаешь?

[@andreysemenov2414]

@@ПётрИванков-й2п Откуда такая информация?

[@macmike8329]

Totaly Awesome. God Bless America...

[@petebuck9889]

I’ve seen them chase one down the runway in Cyprus and catch the wings before they hit the deck

[@kotsios1234567]

I'm from cyprus. Where can i watch one of those landing?! :)

[@petebuck9889]

@@kotsios1234567 akrotiri used to host the U2 I'd Google it

[@kotsios1234567]

​@@petebuck9889 I had to ask since you might now more! Thanks

[@fixpacifica]

Back in the late 70's-early 80's, I was at Beale which was the home base for U-2's. That's how they did it. They had guys run along the side of the U-2 after it landed and catch the wings. Spent 3 months in Cyprus with the U-2s there.

[@garethevans9789]

I've never seen this before, it's impressive that they're able to keep the plane level for so long. I know they're trying to make the plane as light as possible, but couldn't they have managed to add a pair of rollerblades to the wing tips? Maybe it's a macho thing and stabilizers are for newbs.😅

[@The_Hoover_Specialist]

It’s standard for a chase vehicle to call height above runway to the pilot when landing or when they do touch and go’s

[@bobsurgranny]

Still interesting though

[@andreysh.9649]

Самолётный велосипед...))))))) Может быть быть он и хорош как разведчик....но....))))) Хотя встречают его на земле как дорого гостя, обычному самолёту такое и не снилось...)))))

[@oldman6172]

On Davis months n afb they used to use 2 Chevy El Camino pickups yoth men in back to install wheels before it touched ground.

[@chuckcartwright1328]

OLD MAN I remember seeing them take off/land there, too. Really something to watch. I heard a tale or two from guys who worked on the flight line about the men on the trucks.

[@oldman6172]

@@chuckcartwright1328 sorry about my fumble thumb I was stationed in Davis Monthan AFB not in the flight line but could go there back in 1969 I was in communications. I moved to AZ when I got out of the service.

[@frankderryberry1412]

I thought the lil wheels were retracted. he he

[@victormanuelpolanco922]

Up until witnessing this video I did think similarly. What a great eye - opening video this one is.

[@spaghettimonstersjudgingyo504]

Me too. I had no idea the plane used little skids on the end of the wing until now. I always assumed the little wing wheels folded up into the wing like most planes. Then I saw that funny looking rear wheel and realized it was all about weight savings. Indeed this was an interesting thing to watch.

[@4someforlife]

Wing wheels pogos fall off after takeoff then recovered by ground crew

[@krisknowlton5935]

Frank Derryberry when I was stationed in Korea I was assigned guard duty one day at an Air Force base near Seoul. They were flying U-2's out of there. When they took off the pilot would jettison the wing dollies about 3 seconds after becoming airborne. The wing tip skids may be a new thing because I don't recall seeing them, but the interesting part was how they landed them back then. Like in this video you see the car pull onto the runway, but when I saw it their were two pickup trucks that pulled onto the runway with a guy in the bed of each truck. The U-2 would fly just a little way off the runway and the pickup trucks would drive up under each wing so the guys in the bed of the truck could, while the plane was still flying, put the dollies back into the wing. The men in the back of the trucks didn't have to worry about being blown out because of the humongous brass balls they had.

[@wordreet]

Just a super cool machine! Fun facts: The biggest wingspan of an "open class" recreational glider, the ETa, is just 7 inches less than the U2's 103 feet! But the glider weighs 710kg without the 2 crew, whereas the U2 weighs 7257kg. So their glide ratio ( rate of decent unpowered ) are very different, with the U2 managing 23:1 and the ETa 70:1. Mind you, please consider that a fully laden Boeing 767 has managed 12:1 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider. It descended 41,000 feet unpowered, covering 17 miles of ground to a relatively safe landing!.

[@dennis8445]

That's one hell of a camera.

[@Neildo430ci]

I heard this is spy footage.

[@VMBproduction]

What a beast 😍 Wonderful report and awesome Sound! 👍👍

[@bobsurgranny]

Glad you enjoyed watching this amazing plane and its landing procedure

[@MrBen527]

Now that's a typical landing

[@jamesmccartney5731]

That is some incredible flying! That guy deserves a 6 pack today!,