I heard the same thing form a mechanic that I was stationed at Miramar with. No definitive proof, just anecdotal evidence, but cool, nonetheless.Interesting! I wonder what a Brit was doing riding backseat - did you pick up on the accent?
I remember years ago when I was in Okinawa and the U2 was state-of-the-art; they were based at Kadena AFB. Story was (and I can't verify this) that on takeoff and landing, the taxiways and runways were cleared for several minutes before and after the U2 used it. The U2 would run-up and depart the hanger at significant speed, used a direct taxiway to the threshhold and continue to build takeoff speed without slowing down. Landings were the same, direct taxi-way from turnoff to hanger and taxi speed was really high almost right into the hanger.
one of the most advanced aircraft in the world
I normally don't watch airplane stuff, cause I see it everyday, but that was worth it.
It's kind of interesting that they allow the pilot to wear glasses, I had always thought that military pilots needed 20-20 uncorrected vision. Of course now-a-days these are scientific flights, right?