WB (RB) 57F In Afghanstan
 

It seems my old RB57F (flew 1968-1971), now the politically correct WB57F, is still at work doing things the U-2 can't do. Lots of equipment, strange antennas (red box) and a back seat systems operator. One (perhaps 2) have been taken out of DM storage and will be added to the current two aircraft fleet after significant upgrades. Full story can be found at: The Aviationist » NASA

http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/h...12e-pallet.jpg

Yep, cool airplane doing some interesting stuff....

An old friend of mine is the OPSO for that platform.
He has nice things to say about it. Keeps him on the road quite a bit though.

USMCFLYR

Are his initials S.G. ?

2008 video of "F" (old NASA Paint scheme ) landing and departure at Nellis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R82c1mQQTk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vq51FBCbN0

Negative.
JR.

USMCFLYR

Did he mention to you how to get a gig flying them?

If that was addressed to me.....yes.
He sent me the announcement for an application window.
But I had just gotten my current job and things were (or still are) a little uncertain as the direction that NASA was taking with its' flight programs; so I settled in where I am for the long haul.

USMCFLYR

Go home tonight and put an uncomfortable chair in a small closet. Place a small TV in the closet with only the Black and White screen pattern showing. Don a scuba dry suit (or snowmobile suit) , goldfish bowl over your head, and enter the room with a straw and jar of liver baby food in your hands. Close the door and sit for 6-8 hours. When you are hungry stick the straw up inside the goldfish bowl, into the jar and suck up that crap. Finally when you reach the six hour point, **** your pants. Try not to be bored because the guy in back and autopilot are doing all the work.

Be prepared to fly through strange clouds and glow in the dark at night for the rest of your life. (Picture of RB-57D)

If you look forward to this 2-3 times a week - APPLY. :):)

http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/h...ilot/NT4-1.jpg

Ftrooppilot,
I have two good friends that flew U-2's with me that are both flying the -57.
Interesting work.
You might be surprised to know that much of the flying is not done in the pressure suit.
Anyways, not sure how much detail I can go into about what they do, so I'll leave it at that.
I've thought seriously about applying,... but have decided against it for now.