Dragon Hearts

** The curvature of the Earth, seen from near
the edge of space.**

The portable "pogo" wheels underneath the wing.

TheTU-2S in flight at low level.

U-2s recently were retrofitted with glass cockpit technology, but they're all still fly-by-cable airplanes that are a handful at low altitudes.

Lane shaking hands with the U-2 ground crew.

Ready to fire up the engines.

A U-2 leaning hard over on a crosswind landing. Titanium wing skids shield the wing from damage.

Lane and Maj. John "Cabi" Cabigas in one of his two favorite planes: an Air Force TU-2S.

Lane and Maj. John "Cabi" Cabigas in the other of his two favorite planes: his own Piper Cub.

Some of the U-2 pilots with the TU-2S and their own airplanes.

Flying Magazine is a one-stop resource for everything aviation, including news, training, aircraft, gear, careers, photos, videos, and more.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter