That has to be an interesting ride for that size aircraft!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6cZLfK4Zjk

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that Major is one Hell of a pilot, but I didn't know that the military/CIA would allow a guy who needs glasses like that to go on. Pretty damned cool. kinda wonder what keeps them from floating off into space. The first guy who did this had some great big brass ones.

I believe they allow correctable to 20-20 now.
Butch

Interesting requirement on the visual standards:
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs...in/a/pilotvision.htm

One question that I'm often asked is what the vision requirements are to become a pilot or navigator in the United States Military. Each of the services have their own standards:

Air Force

To enter flight training, a candidate must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot, that means the candidates vision can be no worse than 20/70 (correctable with glasses to 20/20) in each eye. To enter Navigator Training, the candidate can have vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye (also must be correctable to 20/20).

After flight school, the standards relax a little. Pilots and Navigators who have already graduated flight training, can remain fliers as long as their vision doesn't deteriorate beyond 20/400 in each eye (correctable to 20/20).

Normal depth perception and color vision is required.

Effective May 21, 2007, applicants who have had LASIK eye surgery are no longer automatically disqualified from flight training. See related article.

Navy and Marine Corps

The Navy and the Marine Corps use the same standards (The Marines do not have their own medical department. They use the Navy for all medical procedures and standards). Navy Pilots must pass a Class I Flying Physical. To become a pilot in the Navy or Marine Corps, an applicant's uncorrected vision can be no worse than 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. Once flight training begins, vision can deteriorate to no worse than 20/100 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training graduation, if the eyesite deteriorates worse than 20/200 (must be correctable to 20/20), the pilot will require a waiver for carrier operations. If the vision deteriorates past 20/400 (correctable to 20/20), the pilot is restricted to aircraft with dual controls (ie, aircraft with co-pilots).

For Navigators (called "NFOs" or "Navy Flight Officers"), there is no vision requirement to enter flight training. However, the Navigator's vision must be correctable to 20/20 and there are limits on refraction. Refraction must be less than or equal to plus or minus 8.00 sphere in any meridian and less than or equal to minus 3.00 cylinder. No more than 3.50 anisometropia. After flight training, to continue on flight status there is no limit on refraction for NFOs. No waivers are authorized for NFO applicants who exceed these refraction limits.

Normal color vision is required for both NFOs and pilots. Normal depth perception is required for pilots and pilot applicants.

The Navy allows laser eye surgery, both for current pilots and NFOs, and for pilot/NFO applicants, if they apply for, and are accepted to participate in the Navy's on-going study about laser eye surgery for aviators.

Army (Rotary Wing)

The Army has very few fixed-wing aircraft. The vast majority of Army pilots are helicopter pilots. Army Aviators must pass a Flight Class I Flying Physical. To enter Army Helicopter Flight Training, as either a commissioned officer or warrant officer, the applicant can have vision no worse than 20/50 (correctable to 20/20) in each eye. After flight training, pilots can remain on flight status as long as their vision does not deteriorate beyond 20/400 (correctable to 20/20).

Normal depth perception and normal color vision is required.

Like the other branches, it is possible to apply for Army Flight Training and/or remain on flying status with laser eye surgery, if one is accepted into the Army's Aviator Laser Eye Surgery Study Program.

Very cool clip. Would give my left (or right) nut to have an opportunity like that.

Im am very ignornant to the fact but why do they have the cars chase the plane on takeoff and landing. I am curious?

On takeoff they pick up the pogos that fall off of the wings[outrigger wheels]. The pilot cannot see the runway on landing. Another pilot drives the chase car and talks him down. My wife had the privilege of riding in the chase car a couple times at Beale AFB.
My Son was a crewchief for 18 years and now is attached to the Lockheed facility in Palmdale, Calif. He has about 3 more years left.
Butch

Thanks that makes sense.

That's beyond belief. I doubt I could get a ride on a U-2 if I were a real somebody, and I am a nobody. What a joy it would be though. I'm proud to pay taxes for this sort of thing.