I never got an incentive-flight on a U-2 trainer, but I’ve ridden the wing while it taxied on Taif AB in Saudi Arabia, sat under the tip of the tail while the engine was running, and watched a girl chunk a ground cable into the fuel-dump socket, which almost set the entire flightline on fire.
This movie was filmed at Beale AFB, California. I worked in those hangers, and on the non-trainer aircraft — the single-seater — seen in the movie, itself.
It’s a lovely plane.
I watched that program in its entirety, I’m not usually a big fan of mechanical things, but when it comes to space travel I’m disappointed that there isn’t more of a focus on it.
Just look at the view from up there, that our planet people, look how gorgeous it is, you can see why people spend their whole life just for one opportunity to see Earth from the outside!
Also, to completely take away any credibility from what I say, I do kinda find James May a bit cute…
That is breath taking! While it’s a shame you never had the opportunity to fly in one it’s still jaw-droppingly amazing — even more so when you consider the complexity of a “normal” aircraft, compounded over and over with the additional stresses of near-space flight, and then multiply that by the number of things that could possibly go wrong or outright fail. To be able to say that you had a hand in making such flights and such visions a reality for those talented and lucky few is certainly something to be absolutely proud of.
Now you need to somehow link that video to your resume in a way that says “See that? I made that possible!” What hiring manager would not be impressed with THAT?!?
My salute to you Airman Howell!
I never thought I’d see good ol’ Captain Slow on BRK/Daniel Howell’s blog…
A question for Airman Howell.
How does that plane maintain it’s balance when it stops? It seems like it would just fall over glider-style.
Jealous
@Tobi-Wan Kenobi,
It sort of does just topple over…when the plane slows enough, the weight of the fuel in the wings causes one side or the other to dip. The pilots try to balance the fuel load as best as possible. Once the plane stops, a crew runs out an places “pogos” (props the wing up on wheels) for the U2 to finish its taxi in. Look at 1:52in the video and you can see one under the tip of the wing.
I had the privilege of a chase car ride way back in MY young airman days, 1994. Back then, they were using Mustang GTs in Korea. It was very cool, and over very quickly.
Awesome job Daniel! I salute your service.
Even if they sold flights like that for $100, I couldn’t do it. I love to fly but that would just test an endurance I know I don’t have. So thanks for letting me live vicariously through this video.
/salute
Hats off to Kelly Johnson and the Skunk Works team for such an amazing aircraft. 55 years and still flying; it will be just as sad a day when it’s retired as it was when the SR-71 was.
Brilliant clip, thanks much for sharing it.
From the view of the blue oceans and white clouds, with the black sky above it’s almost impossible to think that you aren’t in space. And that you only left earth a few minutes ago to go where few have been before. Breathtaking video, thanks for posting it Daniel.
Excuse my ignorance, but are the Erkel glasses some kind of super space glasses, or does the Major just need to get out more?
Sweet ride though!
Thank you very much for showing us this video.
I have to say I got emotionnal ^^’
Wow, wow and wow again!
An immense film that manages to make you forget about everything and feel so peaceful after.
Forgot to ask “Does anyone know what the piece of music is called whilst they where up there?”
WOW simply amazing! I am currently getting ready to go start college to study engineering and am taking AFROTC courses, my dream is to either fly or work on fighters. I find clips like these to be just amazing
/salute
thanks for your service to our country
I wonder if they can just make a UAV now that hovers at U2 altitude and stay on mission area for days?
Thanks for posting that.
Thank you for the clip Daniel.
Technology is great! Dan, remember getting beer smuggled in from France to Taif in one of the few pressurized compartments?
As many other have said, thanks for the clip. It was fantastic!
Man, I should have watched this clip when you first posted it. That was fantastic! Truly amazing! Like everyone else, I just don’t get tired of seeing such a breath-taking view.
Do you show clips like this to your son? If he’ll sit still for it, then I’m sure you should!
BTW, hope you’re doing well in your new job. Haven’t seen you post anything since the electric bill. Living in Tucson, I can certainly relate to that!
Take care,
Steve
I have to admitt that I teared up just a bit in the midst of that video.
My question(s) (w/ lots of self reflection) is, why do we not seek to do those things of our greatest passion? Why don’t we find jobs that some way embody that?
I wish I had the answer. Seriously, I do.
Tim
I not to mention my pals came following the good techniques located on the website and then unexpectedly got a horrible suspicion I had not thanked you for them. All the young men happened to be for that reason thrilled to read through them and now have honestly been taking advantage of those things. Thanks for being quite helpful as well as for going for certain nice ideas millions of individuals are really eager to understand about. My very own sincere regret for not saying thanks to you sooner.