U2 down in Northern California
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Still, I think the transition from Naval Aviator to Air Force Pilot is unusual for folks on active duty even in these modern times.
Blue Angel Larry Packer went into the Air National Guard after leaving the Navy. They made him change his Navy callsign. It was Fudge.
Here is a partial list of the current requirements for U-2 pilot applicants:
---- CURRENT HIRING RESTRICTIONS ----
Opportunities for IST are extremely limited,
The Air Staff is not allowing any ANG or AFR pilots to come on active duty.
AFPC will not allow us to interview any fighter/bomber coded pilots for the time being.
---- FLYING REQUIREMENTS ----
Possess at least 1200 rated hours (Notes: RMQ-1/9 Reaper time may be used to partially satisfy minimum rated hours. Do Not include pilot training or civilian time)
- Or -
800 rated hours in trainer aircraft such as T-1, T-6, T-34, T-37, T-38, T-45, etc
- Or -
500 hours in fighters
- And -
Possess at least 500 hours in fixed wing, non-RPA, aircraft
- And -
Possess 12 months or 400 hours as pilot-in-command in primary mission aircraft
You must also have an SCI/SBI or the capability to obtain one.
Opportunities for IST are extremely limited,
The Air Staff is not allowing any ANG or AFR pilots to come on active duty.
AFPC will not allow us to interview any fighter/bomber coded pilots for the time being.
---- FLYING REQUIREMENTS ----
Possess at least 1200 rated hours (Notes: RMQ-1/9 Reaper time may be used to partially satisfy minimum rated hours. Do Not include pilot training or civilian time)
- Or -
800 rated hours in trainer aircraft such as T-1, T-6, T-34, T-37, T-38, T-45, etc
- Or -
500 hours in fighters
- And -
Possess at least 500 hours in fixed wing, non-RPA, aircraft
- And -
Possess 12 months or 400 hours as pilot-in-command in primary mission aircraft
You must also have an SCI/SBI or the capability to obtain one.
I enjoyed this wise perspective from the FAQ:
I heard the U-2 may retire soon. How long will it be flying?
I heard the same thing 20 years ago. Right now the U-2 is funded through 2016, and could continue until 2025, or longer. The airframe will last until approximately 2050 at current utilization rates. While the original "Deuce" was designed in the 1950's, the modern U-2 is outfitted with state-of-the-art sensors and equipment, making it the most effective and least expensive tool for the job. There is plenty of time left for a very rewarding career in flying the U-2!
I heard the same thing 20 years ago. Right now the U-2 is funded through 2016, and could continue until 2025, or longer. The airframe will last until approximately 2050 at current utilization rates. While the original "Deuce" was designed in the 1950's, the modern U-2 is outfitted with state-of-the-art sensors and equipment, making it the most effective and least expensive tool for the job. There is plenty of time left for a very rewarding career in flying the U-2!
Last edited by Airbubba; 5th Oct 2016 at 22:23.
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Beale AFB California dual control U-2 news update soon?
It is now one month+ since this sad event took place.
A veteran Colonel aviator lost his life. The 'student' survived.
Is there any brief news as to what may have happened? Was the student on a first ride & wearing a pressure suit. Lady or man?
The brief amateur video attached to an early pprune post (#5) shows 2 'chutes very close together at perhaps 3,000' and a U-2 descending in a spin.
It is now one month+ since this sad event took place.
A veteran Colonel aviator lost his life. The 'student' survived.
Is there any brief news as to what may have happened? Was the student on a first ride & wearing a pressure suit. Lady or man?
The brief amateur video attached to an early pprune post (#5) shows 2 'chutes very close together at perhaps 3,000' and a U-2 descending in a spin.
Last edited by bigglesbrother; 17th Dec 2016 at 16:31. Reason: added link to amateur video of spinning U-2 in post #5
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USAF reports that U-2 student on first flight in U-2 lost control due to a secondary stall. Wow.
News Article
News Article
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Had no luck downloading accident report from here - it stalls - no pun intended:
https://www.scribd.com/document/3456...TU-2S#download
https://www.scribd.com/document/3456...TU-2S#download
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Here you are Spaz.......
Accident Investigation Report for Sept. 2016 crash of TU-2S
3 pages available for preview
United States Air Force Accident Investigation Board Report TU-2S Mishap With Fatality, Beale AFB, CA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TU-2S, T/N 80-001068 BEALE AFB, CA 20 SEPTEMBER 2016
On 20 September 2016 at 0908 local (L) time, a two-seat TU-2S crashed 18 nautical miles west of Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California (CA). Mishap Instructor Pilot (MIP) and Mishap Pilot (MP) egressed the Mishap Aircraft (MA) at approximately 8,500 feet mean sea level. MIP did not survive ejection, and MP sustained non-life threatening injuries. MA, tail number 80-001068, was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing (9 RW), Beale AFB, CA. MA impacted private property 5 miles northwest of Sutter, CA, resulting in a grass fire that burned most of a 262 acre pasture. MA was completely destroyed. There were no injuries on the ground.
The mishap occurred during the first of three Acceptance Flight (AF) mission profiles for the MP. AF missions are for the screening of prospective U-2 pilots. MA launched at 0855L, with MIP executing the takeoff and transferring aircraft control to the MP en route to the maneuver area, 15-20 nautical miles west of Beale AFB. On the recovery from a third no-flap “approach to stall” maneuver, MA entered a full aerodynamic secondary stall with the left wing sharply dropping 70-80 degrees and the nose falling 35-40 degrees below the horizon. It could not be determined what actions MIP took to recover MA. However, with MA rapidly approaching the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, MIP commanded ejection. Immediately after ejection and while still seated in the ejection seat, MIP and his seat impacted the last 5 feet of MA’s right wing, fatally wounding the MIP. MIP’s parachute automatically deployed, with MIP landing within a quarter mile of MP, just over one mile from the MA wreckage. MP received minor facial burns from MIP’s ejection seat rocket motor and injuries to his left ankle during the parachute landing.
Beale AFB first responders arrived at the crash site at 0959L. Local civilian first responders were already on scene fighting the grass fire. MIP and MP were located before 1000L by a 9 RW T-38/A and a civilian helicopter. MP was evacuated by civilian helicopter, arriving at a civilian hospital at 1228L. MIP was recovered and transported by the Sutter County Coroner.
The Accident Investigation Board President found by a preponderance of evidence that the cause of the mishap was the MP’s flight control inputs during the recovery phase of a no-flap “approach to stall” maneuver that led MA into an unintentional secondary stall and uncommanded sharp left wing drop, with 70-80 degrees of bank and the nose 35-40 degrees below the horizon. As MA approached the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, MIP commanded ejection. During the subsequent ejection, MIP and his seat struck the MA’s right wing, resulting in fatal injuries.
Accident Investigation Report for Sept. 2016 crash of TU-2S
3 pages available for preview
United States Air Force Accident Investigation Board Report TU-2S Mishap With Fatality, Beale AFB, CA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TU-2S, T/N 80-001068 BEALE AFB, CA 20 SEPTEMBER 2016
On 20 September 2016 at 0908 local (L) time, a two-seat TU-2S crashed 18 nautical miles west of Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California (CA). Mishap Instructor Pilot (MIP) and Mishap Pilot (MP) egressed the Mishap Aircraft (MA) at approximately 8,500 feet mean sea level. MIP did not survive ejection, and MP sustained non-life threatening injuries. MA, tail number 80-001068, was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing (9 RW), Beale AFB, CA. MA impacted private property 5 miles northwest of Sutter, CA, resulting in a grass fire that burned most of a 262 acre pasture. MA was completely destroyed. There were no injuries on the ground.
The mishap occurred during the first of three Acceptance Flight (AF) mission profiles for the MP. AF missions are for the screening of prospective U-2 pilots. MA launched at 0855L, with MIP executing the takeoff and transferring aircraft control to the MP en route to the maneuver area, 15-20 nautical miles west of Beale AFB. On the recovery from a third no-flap “approach to stall” maneuver, MA entered a full aerodynamic secondary stall with the left wing sharply dropping 70-80 degrees and the nose falling 35-40 degrees below the horizon. It could not be determined what actions MIP took to recover MA. However, with MA rapidly approaching the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, MIP commanded ejection. Immediately after ejection and while still seated in the ejection seat, MIP and his seat impacted the last 5 feet of MA’s right wing, fatally wounding the MIP. MIP’s parachute automatically deployed, with MIP landing within a quarter mile of MP, just over one mile from the MA wreckage. MP received minor facial burns from MIP’s ejection seat rocket motor and injuries to his left ankle during the parachute landing.
Beale AFB first responders arrived at the crash site at 0959L. Local civilian first responders were already on scene fighting the grass fire. MIP and MP were located before 1000L by a 9 RW T-38/A and a civilian helicopter. MP was evacuated by civilian helicopter, arriving at a civilian hospital at 1228L. MIP was recovered and transported by the Sutter County Coroner.
The Accident Investigation Board President found by a preponderance of evidence that the cause of the mishap was the MP’s flight control inputs during the recovery phase of a no-flap “approach to stall” maneuver that led MA into an unintentional secondary stall and uncommanded sharp left wing drop, with 70-80 degrees of bank and the nose 35-40 degrees below the horizon. As MA approached the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, MIP commanded ejection. During the subsequent ejection, MIP and his seat struck the MA’s right wing, resulting in fatal injuries.
One of my friends was a 'Dustoff' helo pilot in Vietnam but he had to go through a commissioning program (Aviation Officer Candidate School) and Navy flight training to get his Wings of Gold.
Blue Angel Larry Packer went into the Air National Guard after leaving the Navy. They made him change his Navy callsign. It was Fudge.
Blue Angel Larry Packer went into the Air National Guard after leaving the Navy. They made him change his Navy callsign. It was Fudge.
As to the accident report: an IP's nightmare ...
I remember when first doing stall training, the urge to level the wings if one fell away when entering the stall. I don't think I would have liked to experience something as harsh as 70-80 degrees, especially with a U2's wingspan.
Salute!
Yeah, Saints, seems best thing to do besides relaxing back pressure or even pushing yoke/stick forward is RUDDER, not aileron.
This accident had a quick and severe roll angle and pitch break, and I would have to see the tapes to see what happened first. I am not sure any IP could have recovered other than Yeager or his clone. OTOH, considering the IP's back ground, he may not have been exposed to many departures, especially in the U-2.
I agree it was an IP's worst nightmare. And I throw a nickel on the grass.
Gums sends..
Yeah, Saints, seems best thing to do besides relaxing back pressure or even pushing yoke/stick forward is RUDDER, not aileron.
This accident had a quick and severe roll angle and pitch break, and I would have to see the tapes to see what happened first. I am not sure any IP could have recovered other than Yeager or his clone. OTOH, considering the IP's back ground, he may not have been exposed to many departures, especially in the U-2.
I agree it was an IP's worst nightmare. And I throw a nickel on the grass.
Gums sends..
Last edited by gums; 20th Apr 2017 at 20:52. Reason: typo
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As a glider pilot / instructor I can sympathise. A key exercise for students is the secondary effect of rudder close to the stall...... on a glider / sailplane this will give little yaw but considerable roll.
Salute!
Yeah, Saints, seems best thing to do besides relaxing back pressure or even pushing yoke/stick forward is RUDDER, not aileron.
This accident had a quick and severe roll angle and pitch break, and I would have to see the tapes to see what happened first. I am not sure any IP could have recovered other than Yeager or his clone. OTOH, considering the IP's back ground, he may not have been exposed to many departures, especially in the U-2.
I agree it was an IP's worst nightmare. And I throw a nickel on the grass.
Gums sends..
Yeah, Saints, seems best thing to do besides relaxing back pressure or even pushing yoke/stick forward is RUDDER, not aileron.
This accident had a quick and severe roll angle and pitch break, and I would have to see the tapes to see what happened first. I am not sure any IP could have recovered other than Yeager or his clone. OTOH, considering the IP's back ground, he may not have been exposed to many departures, especially in the U-2.
I agree it was an IP's worst nightmare. And I throw a nickel on the grass.
Gums sends..
Thank you Tart,
I threw so many over the years that I ordered a roll of really old "buffalo" nickels from the U.S. mint.
I celebrate every day I see those F-35 Stubbies in the pattern here at Eglin. A whole new generation of young girls and guys that wish to go out and beyond. They are my grand children of those I helped to learn the bidness over 40 years ago.
It will be a sad day when the last fighter pilot has to report to the drone squadron in Nevada.
Gums sends...
P.S. and then there's Jeremiah Weed!!!
I threw so many over the years that I ordered a roll of really old "buffalo" nickels from the U.S. mint.
I celebrate every day I see those F-35 Stubbies in the pattern here at Eglin. A whole new generation of young girls and guys that wish to go out and beyond. They are my grand children of those I helped to learn the bidness over 40 years ago.
It will be a sad day when the last fighter pilot has to report to the drone squadron in Nevada.
Gums sends...
P.S. and then there's Jeremiah Weed!!!
Last edited by gums; 20th Apr 2017 at 23:10. Reason: added text
I am not sure any IP could have recovered other than Yeager or his clone
Simple full time civilian here but some links here prompted me to read up on flying the U2. goodness me what a dangerous occupation flying the U2 is and yet the loss rate from such an unstable and unforgiving aircraft ( thats a really scary phrase when you think about it) has been in regular use for decades . total respect for those who fly and maintain it.
Not many jobs where losing concentration (which must be tempting with the amazing views they get) for a moment sends you into an unrecoverable dive/spin/spiral. Extraordinary
Not many jobs where losing concentration (which must be tempting with the amazing views they get) for a moment sends you into an unrecoverable dive/spin/spiral. Extraordinary
U2 crews deserve a medal just for volunteering.
WWW
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