What was it really like to fly the Lockheed U-2 above 70,000 feet?
Former U-2 pilots explain the strange reality of operating near the edge of the atmosphere, where the safe speed margin could shrink to only a handful of knots.
From pressure suits and Coffin Corner to its enormous glider-like wing and famously difficult landings, almost nothing about the Dragon Lady was ordinary.
A long-form aviation story told through the pilots who actually flew it.
Chapters :
00:00 – Why the U-2 Is So Difficult to Fly at 70,000 Feet
05:19 – How U-2 Pilots Survive Near the Edge of Space
07:24 – Why Landing the U-2 Is So Difficult
11:09 – Why the U-2 Still Flies Like Nothing Else
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Having flown sailplanes, if I were a U2 pilot, I’d definitely want to fly sailplanes on a regular basis. There are a number of similarities between the two.
Just to clarify a comment. Youtubers did not coin the phrase "coffin corner". That has been around since planes started flying at higher altitudes. Airliners have to consider every time they want to climb to a higher altitude. Great video otherwise. A lot of info people and even other pilots probably haven't had to deal with.
Feel free to suggest any airplane that comes to mind, i'll pick the most requested ones and cover them for the upcoming videos! 🙂