U-2 Question

[Leo]

Yesterday afternoon a U-2 (TR-1? shorter nose and no wing pods so I assume a U-2) took off from Reno-Tahoe International. My office window faces the east approach so I see and hear just about everything that flys to and from there.
In all the films and pics I have seen over the years the recovery and launch of a U-2 is quite the process with chase cars, outrigger recovery etc.
Can one land safely and takeoff again without all this support? Mainly what I am thinking of are the outriggers. I flew quite a few sailplane tows without a wing walker and it could be squirrely, can't imagine a wing-low start in that thing!
Anyone here know? Is the sailplane configuration even a factor?

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: U-2 Question

Wow... I'll admit my ignorance about the current U-2 program but geez, it seems really odd that one would operate out of Reno Tahoe by choice, at least...

Good catch Leo.. wonder if anyone knows the story on this one?

[RAD2LTR]

Re: U-2 Question

A short nose and no wing pods sounds like a U2C. I didn't know any of those were still flying. Did it look like this but without the pods?

or like this?
Pic by Al Henderson via Flikr

As far as I know they need the outrigger supports for the wings to take off, and while they are on the ground. To land, no. They are installed after it stops.

WIll

[Big_Jim]

Re: U-2 Question

A short nose and no wing pods sounds like a U2C. I didn't know any of those were still flying. Did it look like this but without the pods?

or like this?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]21301[/ATTACH] Pic by Al Henderson via Flikr

As far as I know they need the outrigger supports for the wings to take off, and while they are on the ground. To land, no. They are installed after it stops.

WIll

I have someone in close proximity who probably has the answer to that...I've sent a tickler his direction.

[CJAM427]

Re: U-2 Question

As far as the chase car is concerned, I can't imagine a U-2 landing without one. -It's challenging enough when the chase IS there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNYg2i9Jgvs

[jarrodeu]

Re: U-2 Question

I've sent a tickler his direction.

That's a new one. lol

Jarrod

[Leo]

Re: U-2 Question

Like the bottom shot RAD2LTR.

I don't know when it arrived or why, maybe they brought in the outriggers after it was here. Can't imaging there is anywhere to carry them on board.
I too have heard that it is darn near impossible to land without chase calling out height. It's gonna land no matter what if you point it that way, but dropping it in or not flaring would be rough I would think.
A lot of "strange" stuff flys in and out of here regularly, F-18's, F-16's, Hunters, T-38's, 747's, 135's, 130's, the list is long in addition to the GA and people tubes. First U-2 I've seen though.

[FlyKidChris]

Re: U-2 Question

One of my former F.O.s flew U-2s for a while and had some good stories, including an engine failure that led to a diversion. He said that from above FL600, you can deadstick a loooong way in it.

Maybe this was a mechanical issue related diversion...?

[Pylon1_Mark]

Re: U-2 Question

They used to fly the U2/TR1 out of Beale AFB (back a few years ago) and now, along with the global hawk. But anyway, since you said it was like the 2nd pic, I do know that they markings on the vertical stab are the Beale AFB squadron signal markings (the four crosses) so that may be a connection. If the U2 was in an emergency situation & couldn't make Beale, RNO seems like a good place to set down if you had to. Doesn't require that much support to launch a U2 (1 guy in a pickup to get the outriggers after they fall off)... they got skids on the wing tips for landing so it's all good in that department (landing anywhere). IIRC, when I was out at Beale many moons ago, they were doing touch and goes with the U2s there - none of the two aircraft I saw shooting practice approaches had chase planes and were greasing the landings (the touches ). I did see that KRNO does have a HI-TACAN approach... hold over from the ANG F-4 Phantom days I assume, and handy for a U2 pilot in need of an alternate landing field. Just guessing though... someone else probably has more info than I do - I don't get out much these days anymore. LOL

[RAD2LTR]

Re: U-2 Question

Like the bottom shot RAD2LTR.

I don't know when it arrived or why, maybe they brought in the outriggers after it was here. Can't imaging there is anywhere to carry them on board.
I too have heard that it is darn near impossible to land without chase calling out height. It's gonna land no matter what if you point it that way, but dropping it in or not flaring would be rough I would think.
A lot of "strange" stuff flys in and out of here regularly, F-18's, F-16's, Hunters, T-38's, 747's, 135's, 130's, the list is long in addition to the GA and people tubes. First U-2 I've seen though.

The bottom one is a TR1/U2R or U2S. I don't think there are any U2Cs flying. My guess is that it was either out of or trying to get back to Beale. I think Beale or Palmdale are the only places on the west coast where you can find U2s. I wish I lived closer to Beale so I could see U2s flying on a regular basis. Since there are no SR-71s flying, U2s are my favorite reconnaissance planes.

Will

[Skyracer]

Re: U-2 Question

Stayed a few of days at Beale following the air races (2014) and did se a couple of U2's in the pattern. BTW, the "outriggers" are officially (or unofficially) called "pogo's".

[Mr.Ber]

Re: U-2 Question

As far as taking off low wing no can do, because fuel would be running to the low side. One of the pilots duties was to keep fuel load even by transferring fuel throughout the mission. When the aircraft landed the quicker you installed the pogo's the easier it was as the low wing would get heavier the longer it sat on the runway. Sometimes it would take a few of the crew to lift the wing and they might have to sit on the high wing to keep the aircraft level.
On some occasions for launch out on the runway after pulling the pins for the pogo's a wing might be a little heavier than the other and the pogo would fall out. So they would stick one of the crew on the light wing to hold it and run along side witch would be for about three steps sure would get the adrenaline going hoping you didn't snag your clothes on the nav. light. There was one pilot I remember that was so good he would land and taxi to parking spot without stopping for his pogo's until engine shut down Capt. Cantwell if my memory serves me right. I was crew chief stationed at D.M.A.F.B. 1973 to 1976 U-2c & r models they moved to Beale 1976.

[Leo]

Re: U-2 Question

Thanks all!
Who knows why he ended up here but sounds like landing and recovery is not the impossible task I thought.
Saw no markings, Saw it coming low from a conference room window and by the time I got outside (those 10 steps were loooong, luckily client knows me and boss has come to expect the "breaks") it was climbing so damn steep all I saw was tail and underside.
We spend our camping vacation not far from Marysville and during that week or two we see (and hear) a fair number of U-2's and other assorted types.