On Dec 8, 4:37*pm, Martin Gregorie
wrote:
A friend reminded me, again, about the films of rookies landing U-2s and
not knowing to do with the rudder on roll-out or (in some cases) the need
keep the wings level as long as possible.

This reminded me that both are things all glider pilots understand and,
by extrapolation, to wonder why all U-2 candidates aren't converted to
gliders before getting their mitts on a U-2.

Its not as if the USAF doesn't already own gliders, though admittedly a
few DG-1000s would be better than ASK-21s for this task since they don't
have a nosewheel. Regardless, buying a few Twin Astirs or DGs would be
much cheaper than repairing even one ground-looped U-2.

The U-2s are home based at Beale AFB, close to Williams Soaring
Center. I remember some U-2 pilots doing glider training there in
years past, but I don't know if it was an official program, or just
for fun. In any case, the U-2s are gradually being retired and
replaced by upgraded GlobalHawks, which should be somewhat easier to
fly from the comfort of ones office 8^)

Marc