U2 & sr-71

[crapstang]

These videos were pretty cool. My father had the opportunity to pilot the U2, but he decided to pass on it due to the high radiation exposure. Instead, he flew the T-38 Talon and and a couple of others. He also drove the foxbody coupes behind the U2s for take off and landing. Apparently they used GTOs after he transferred to AMR

[Big A]

How did a prominent pilot wind up with such a turd of a son?

[likeitfast55]

T-38 is a training aircraft. It is commonly used as advanced maneuvers trainer at the end of flight training before final assignment in fighter/bomber/transport aircraft.
Was he an IP in 38's? At any one time there are 35 to 50 U-2 pilots, dam elite group.

[Darren M]

SR71 was amazing, I'll give it that. However, the U2's CONTINUED service stands on it's own as a phenomenal testament to its design. From Wikipedia....

The U-2 has remained in service since the end of the Cold War and is one of several aircraft types that have been operated by the USAF in excess of 50 years. It has participated in conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq, and supported several multinational NATO operations. The role of the U-2 is increasingly performed by alternative platforms, such as surveillance satellites, unmanned reconnaissance drones such as the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, and conventional aircraft.

Also, while I can't quote the source, [insert confidentiality stuff here], I can say that the U2 has been used in EVERY major US conflict since its inception and many more discrete conflicts. Amazing plane.