How do you become a U-2 spy pilot?

U-2 flight training includes time in the T-38 trainer and time to get other qualifications pilots may need, before moving on to flying the actual U-2, on which trainees must complete two courses: basic and mission. Those take about three months each. The whole training program can take nine months to a year.

Why is U-2 difficult to fly?

The U-2’s lightweight design makes the plane liable to float over runways, bounce back into the air if the landing is too hard and very sensitive to cross winds. The weight-saving bicycle-style landing gear makes it difficult – and hard work – to keep the plane in a straight line and its wings level as it slows down.

How long do U-2 pilots fly for?

Size, and thus cost, is kept down by having less endurance than the Global Hawk at around 20 hours, which is still about the same time as a normal RQ-4 sortie even though it is capable of flying for 34 hours.

What is the Lockheed U-2 used for?

U-2, single-seat, high-altitude jet aircraft flown by the United States for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Perhaps the most famous spy plane ever built, the U-2, also known as the Dragon Lady, has been in service since 1956.

Can civilians fly the U-2?

History was made July 31, 2020, when US Air Force retired Lt. Col. Jonathan Huggins, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 instructor, became the first civilian instructor in the U-2 program to fly solo. The U-2 Dragon Lady is widely accepted as the most difficult aircraft in the world to fly.

Does the U-2 have an ejection seat?

A side note is that some early (CIA mission) U-2 aircraft were not equipped with ejection seats. The seats for some missions were replaced with a tube frame and wicker seat. This was done to lower weight for greater altitude. Each pound saved would add a foot in altitude.

Why does a u2 need a chase car?

The Air Force utilizes chase cars to help U-2s land, as well as take off, at bases in the United States and abroad. While on the ground, the U-2 utilizes a “pogo” gear under each wing, which both fall away after takeoff, to keep stable.

Does the u2 have an ejection seat?