Speaking of xwinds: taming the big monowheel

[beaky]

Some choice footage from the "interview" flights of prospective U-2 pilots.

WARNING: some (barely-intelligible) cussing in the music soundtrack.   :-/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eamnTyfkUBY

[flyboy 28]

Wow, never thought I'd see a U-2 do a groundloop.  :D

[Hagar]

That looks bloody dangerous. As someone commented, I'm surprised they have any left.

[Roughrider]

Thats a cool video!!!!!!    You think they could design something a little better.

[Steve M]

The landing gear? But the music with the vid fits perfectly!  ;)

[beaky]

[quote]Thats a cool video!!!!!!

[Brando14100]

Wow. Strong planes to stand up to that. And those guys driving (almost) roght next to them...

[ManuelL]

I think it's tricky for beginners because they have probably never flown anything quite like it...

...unless they have glider time!! Except for the doubled-up main wheel bogey, that configuration is just like most gliders, and the long wing makes it similar, too. .

As far as I remember, the problem with the U2 is that the pilot sees almost nothing during the final phase of the approach because the nose is so long. That is why they have someone with a car going behind the plane telling the pilot, where to go and when to recover.

Edit: forget what I wrote, from the film it seems the pilots see the runway just fine  :-?

[Hagar]

I think it's tricky for beginners because they have probably never flown anything quite like it...

...unless they have glider time!! Except for the doubled-up main wheel bogey, that configuration is just like most gliders, and the long wing makes it similar, too.

Comes back to what I've always said. All pilots should have to take a gliding course before being let loose on powered aircraft.

It seems very odd to me that with all that wing area & flaps like barn doors the U-2 appears to have nothing in the way of lift spoiling devices.

The glider I fly has outrigger wheels on the wings and it normally comes to rest on the skid forward of the main wheel as it slows down, but it's still possible to ground-loop it. Many of the faster gliders are quite easy to ground-loop.

I've spent a lot of time around gliders & I've never seen one ground loop. This might be because they're usually operating from grass fields & landing directly into wind.

[beaky]

I think it's tricky for beginners because they have probably never flown anything quite like it...

...unless they have glider time!! Except for the doubled-up main wheel bogey, that configuration is just like most gliders, and the long wing makes it similar, too. .

As far as I remember, the problem with the U2 is that the pilot sees almost nothing during the final phase of the approach because the nose is so long. That is why they have someone with a car going behind the plane telling the pilot, where to go and when to recover.

Edit: forget what I wrote, from the film it seems the pilots see the runway just fine

[flyboy 28]

I'm tellin' ya, the Air Force could save millions giving these hopefuls some glider dual first.

Kupper AFB sounds about right.