As the U.S. Air Force's U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane nears the end of its service, rare opportunities to learn about its fascinating operations and the incredible gear used by its pilots are becoming more sought after. In a recent report, civilian photographer Blair Bunting shared his amazing experience of flying in the U-2, bringing back stunning images from over 70,000 feet. But this time, Bunting’s story focuses not on the flight itself but on the detailed preparations required before he even stepped into the cockpit—specifically, the life-support suit that pilots rely on to survive at extreme altitudes.
The U-2 pilots are known for wearing a specialized "spacesuit," or full-pressure suit, which is vital to their survival at over 60,000 feet, where the air is so thin that even a slight loss of cabin pressure could be fatal. Bunting’s adventure began months before the flight, at Beale Air Force Base, where he went through extensive training and testing to get used to the suit an...
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