Landing the U2 Dragon Lady

[Ms Tree]

Saw this and figured it would be a nice change to actually have an aviation based topic once in a while. The video shows some less than perfect landings in a U2.

 

[delldude]

The gear up landing was the smoothest of all.

You see the chase car doing donuts?

 

[777 fixer]

Video of Top Gear host James May's flight in a U2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJoMDq4AyLc

 

[Ms Tree]

Great video. I have read book s and articles about the U2 pilots and SR71 pilots. Some amazing stories and breath taking footage. Seeing the world from 70k or higher must surely be impressive. Nearly every time you hear someone speaking of the view the common denominator is that it changes ones view on life and our planet. Seems to put things in perspective.

 

[Seatacus]

I spoke with an SR71 crew chief once and he told me that engines could not be restarted mid flight. Has anyone else heard that?

 

[Ms Tree]

Never heard that one. I do that it leaks like a sieve till it gets up to cruising speed and heats up the fuselage to seal the tanks.

Actually, regarding the engine restart that might make sense. I cannot research it now (cell fond is not easy) but I.seem to recall reading something about them having to use a small block v8 to start the engines. If true then that might explain the lack.of restart in flight.

 

[Seatacus]

Never heard that one. I do that it leaks like a sieve till it gets up to cruising speed and heats up the fuselage to seal the tanks.

Actually, regarding the engine restart that might make sense. I cannot research it now (cell fond is not easy) but I.seem to recall reading something about them having to use a small block v8 to start the engines. If true then that might explain the lack.of restart in flight.

This guy mentioned something about a chemical charge is used.

 

[Ms Tree]

Perhaps this is what he was referring to?

Because of the high-temperature environment in which the engine operates, it uses low-volatility JP-7 fuel which requires a chemical ignition system. This system uses Triethylborane (TEB) to ignite the fuel. The flash-resistant JP-7 fuel protects the SR-71 from the threat of inadvertent ignition as a result of the combination of high airframe and fuel temperatures during the hot portion of flight at high speed cruising.

SR 71

The only ways I have heard of starting the Blackbird were via the start cart (large block engine) or pneumatic starts as referred to here.

We had two methods to start the powerful J-58 engines. The first and oldest method was to use the start carts. These were twin buick 455 v-8 engines, dressed out with racing cams and headers. They were coupled together to a rotating shaft that connected to the starter shaft of the engine. It took some serious rpms to start the J-58s, and it wasn't uncommon to see one break apart throwing piston rods through the engine block. In the late 80s, the buick engines were replaced by built up Chevy 454s. That pretty much eliminated our rod throwing problem. The other method to start the engines was through the use of pneumatic air. The hangers at BAFB were equipped with these systems in the early 80s, and it quickly became the preferred method. A removable turbine was attached to the engine starter shaft, and was fed by two four inch diameter hoses connected to the system on the hanger wall. The Crew Chief operated the valve from the wall location. We would still use the start carts periodically to keep personnel current, as we had to use them on the trim pad, and when at Temporary Duty (TDY) locations at times. We did use the pneumatic system off station at times, but this was quite cumbersome. It required four ground air units (-60s) to start a single engine. These four units are manifolded together, then connected to the two entry points on the starter turbines. This is the method now currently used by Detachment (Det) 2 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB).

SR 71 info

There are quite a few interesting Blackbird stores on this link. Worth a read if you are a fan of the plane.

 

[Knotbuyinit]

I spoke with an SR71 crew chief once and he told me that engines could not be restarted mid flight. Has anyone else heard that?

There is a declassified SR-71 Flight Manual on the internet. I think section 3 (3-50) is what you are looking for.

http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/