"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message
oups.com...

I just picked up a used U-2. It's quite a hoot to fly, but I'm having
some trouble. Maybe you can help me out.

1) When I go cruising above 60,000 ft I cancel my IFR clearance. Then
I buzz around a bit. But how do I come back down legally? Obviously
I need an IFR clearance to decend back down to FL 590, but Center does
not have to grant my request for a sudden IFR clearance. I have
limited fuel. What should I do?


You would need an IFR clearance at FL 600. You're right that ATC doesn't
have to grant your request for an IFR popup, but they'd have little reason
to refuse. If that's a concern then don't cancel IFR when you climb above
FL 600.



2) While I'm up above FL 600, I'm self-seperating from the other
traffic. But my friend also has a U-2 and we sometimes frequent the
same airspace. It's nearly impossible to see another plane with a
closure rate of 1,200 mph, and U-2s don't have TCAS. Can I request
flight following at these altitudes, just for the help with
separation?


Sure.



3) I was right at 59,999 feet and requested a climb of two feet. The
controller denied my request! Can he do that? It really wastes fuel
to fly around so low!


Why did you waste his time with a silly request?