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Chugging along at merely half the altitude I used to enjoy can still provide a beautiful view of our galactic center, shining from about 25,000 light years away. This is on a flight in the South Pacific. Rarely do we stop, turn our lights off, let ourselves adjust, and enjoy the grandeur right over our heads.

Something like a third of all humans have never seen the Milky Way. 80% of Americans live in an area that is too light polluted to see it. Many people will comment on how great it must have been to see the Earth from 70,000 feet. And make no mistake, it was incredible. But I think people would be equally amazed at what they could see if they just find a dark sky and let their eyes adjust to see the way humans saw the skies for tens of thousands of years. Get off the screens and take in photons that have been traveling for tens of thousands of years.

Shot with a Sony A7S3 and G-master 24 mm lens. If you enjoy this, check out more at ExtremeRoss.com. Link in bio

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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Chugging along at merely half the altitude I used to enjoy can still provide a beautiful view of our galactic center, shining from about 25,000 light years away. This is on a flight in the South Pacific. Rarely do we stop, turn our lights off, let ourselves adjust, and enjoy the grandeur right over our heads. Something like a third of all humans have never seen the Milky Way. 80% of Americans live in an area that is too light polluted to see it. Many people will comment on how great it must have been to see the Earth from 70,000 feet. And make no mistake, it was incredible. But I think people would be equally amazed at what they could see if they just find a dark sky and let their eyes adjust to see the way humans saw the skies for tens of thousands of years. Get off the screens and take in photons that have been traveling for tens of thousands of years. Shot with a Sony A7S3 and G-master 24 mm lens. If you enjoy this, check out more at ExtremeRoss.com. Link in bio #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

4 months ago

View on Instagram |

1/12

It was a cold frosty day when landing back at Osan Air Base about 15 years ago. This was the final approach from a mission.

Descent time was always an exciting time on every mission. I might have a little cafenated pudding, then I'd start cleaning up the cockpit. I might have mission boards laying around, possibly used as sunshades that I'd need to collect and stuff in the mission binder that wedged beside my seat. Of course I've probably had my camera out and needed to stow that away. There was also usually a "probably not sanctioned" splice cord that I could plug my iPhone into for music and movies while at altitude.

Descent took about 30 minutes. Once below 18,000 feet and the cockpit altitude was below 10,000 feet, I'd almost always pop the helmet open and turn the oxygen off. There was something inviting about just breathing in ambient air after being on regulated O2 for so many hours. In the video, I only have my sunvisor down, the actually bar that locks and pressurizes the suit is unlocked and up. I'd also unlock my gloves and flew bare handed to have a better feel on the yoke for landing. That wasn't necessarily recommended but my jet, my rules.

Once I was done with power between 5 and 10 feet, I'd go to idle and use both hands controlling the yoke in the flare. Some pilots were completely against that technique but, again, I didn't really care when it's just me. A good stall and "crunch down" from about 2 feet indicated the flight was over and the spoilers immediately go up to make sure no more flying occurs.

Every landing was always an adventure in the U-2, even after more than a 1000 hours. Great times in a great jet.

#savetheU2 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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It was a cold frosty day when landing back at Osan Air Base about 15 years ago. This was the final approach from a mission. Descent time was always an exciting time on every mission. I might have a little cafenated pudding, then I'd start cleaning up the cockpit. I might have mission boards laying around, possibly used as sunshades that I'd need to collect and stuff in the mission binder that wedged beside my seat. Of course I've probably had my camera out and needed to stow that away. There was also usually a "probably not sanctioned" splice cord that I could plug my iPhone into for music and movies while at altitude. Descent took about 30 minutes. Once below 18,000 feet and the cockpit altitude was below 10,000 feet, I'd almost always pop the helmet open and turn the oxygen off. There was something inviting about just breathing in ambient air after being on regulated O2 for so many hours. In the video, I only have my sunvisor down, the actually bar that locks and pressurizes the suit is unlocked and up. I'd also unlock my gloves and flew bare handed to have a better feel on the yoke for landing. That wasn't necessarily recommended but my jet, my rules. Once I was done with power between 5 and 10 feet, I'd go to idle and use both hands controlling the yoke in the flare. Some pilots were completely against that technique but, again, I didn't really care when it's just me. A good stall and "crunch down" from about 2 feet indicated the flight was over and the spoilers immediately go up to make sure no more flying occurs. Every landing was always an adventure in the U-2, even after more than a 1000 hours. Great times in a great jet. #savetheU2 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

8 months ago

View on Instagram |

2/12

It was always an exciting time of year as the Sierra Nevada mountains started filling up with snow. That meant that ski time was approaching. I often did snow checks from the air. More fun than boring snow base checks online or snow webcams on the mountain. The U-2 was good for an overall check of the ecosystem. If you wanted to know which lifts were running, you needed a good pass or two in the T-38 just above the mountain ridges. Though it was sometimes hard to pick things out at 500+ knots in blower (afterburner).

This was 2018 as I tooled around on a training high flight in California. I was an instructor in the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, the training unit for the U-2 and T-38. I was usually taking a student up on their first high flight or doing a check ride for one trying to graduate. This day, I had a solo U-2 high flight where I could do whatever I wanted. So you know me, I went and took pictures.

Check out more photos and stories at ExtremeRoss.com.

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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It was always an exciting time of year as the Sierra Nevada mountains started filling up with snow. That meant that ski time was approaching. I often did snow checks from the air. More fun than boring snow base checks online or snow webcams on the mountain. The U-2 was good for an overall check of the ecosystem. If you wanted to know which lifts were running, you needed a good pass or two in the T-38 just above the mountain ridges. Though it was sometimes hard to pick things out at 500+ knots in blower (afterburner). This was 2018 as I tooled around on a training high flight in California. I was an instructor in the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, the training unit for the U-2 and T-38. I was usually taking a student up on their first high flight or doing a check ride for one trying to graduate. This day, I had a solo U-2 high flight where I could do whatever I wanted. So you know me, I went and took pictures. Check out more photos and stories at ExtremeRoss.com. #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

11 months ago

View on Instagram |

3/12

Some clips I threw together from about 9 years ago. I was deployed away from my family and had some of my kids’ friends hitch a ride. The little stowaways pulled double duty in my camera bag as cushioning for the ride up and, inevitable, bumpy landing.

By the way, my camera bag was a bit unorthodox. Finding something that comfortably held my Nikon D750 along with a flag and fit nicely in the U-2 cockpit was challenging. I eventually settled on a Ryobi cordless drill bag which was the perfect sort of square shape that fit. Not much padding in it so various furry friends would go for a ride.

Go to ExtremeRoss.com and follow for lots of Dragon Lady photos and videos

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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Some clips I threw together from about 9 years ago. I was deployed away from my family and had some of my kids’ friends hitch a ride. The little stowaways pulled double duty in my camera bag as cushioning for the ride up and, inevitable, bumpy landing. By the way, my camera bag was a bit unorthodox. Finding something that comfortably held my Nikon D750 along with a flag and fit nicely in the U-2 cockpit was challenging. I eventually settled on a Ryobi cordless drill bag which was the perfect sort of square shape that fit. Not much padding in it so various furry friends would go for a ride. Go to ExtremeRoss.com and follow for lots of Dragon Lady photos and videos #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

12 months ago

View on Instagram |

4/12

I know it's been a while since I posted. I've just been on a little bit of a break but I intend to get back to being a little bit more active.

This was a few weeks ago on a crossing from San Fran to Amsterdam. The sun was starting to come up over Greenland. As many of you know, I now fly down among the mere mortals instead of the stratospheric gods but I digress. It had been a great night for the northern lights and I was eagerly taking as many shots as I could with my Sony A7S3. I had just done a major firmware update I had been putting off and I didn't check my settings before the flight. Big mistake. Yeah all my settings had been changed back to default and all photos were being taken in lower res jpeg format instead of high res RAW. Needless to say, they are some beautiful photos not quite ready for print but can make a nice Instagram shot.

Make some time to check out some of the aurora shots from the U-2 over at ExtremeRoss.com

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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I know it's been a while since I posted. I've just been on a little bit of a break but I intend to get back to being a little bit more active. This was a few weeks ago on a crossing from San Fran to Amsterdam. The sun was starting to come up over Greenland. As many of you know, I now fly down among the mere mortals instead of the stratospheric gods but I digress. It had been a great night for the northern lights and I was eagerly taking as many shots as I could with my Sony A7S3. I had just done a major firmware update I had been putting off and I didn't check my settings before the flight. Big mistake. Yeah all my settings had been changed back to default and all photos were being taken in lower res jpeg format instead of high res RAW. Needless to say, they are some beautiful photos not quite ready for print but can make a nice Instagram shot. Make some time to check out some of the aurora shots from the U-2 over at ExtremeRoss.com #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

1 year ago

View on Instagram |

5/12

Head on out to the Beale Air and Space Expo happening this weekend. I'll be walking around Sunday and would be happy to chat up anybody there.

This was fun flight to do a photo shoot on. Back in 2018, we had never done a T-38/U-2 formation demo. This was a practice flight to get certification to perform in front of a crowd. This became the signature pass in front of the crowd. The U-2 leads the formation at nearly its maximum speed and once it starts the bank for the pass, it is basically committed and can't maneuver anymore. It takes a lot of force on the controls just to put it in that bank and there's really no fine tuning. So the timing is critical to make the apex of the turn right at stage center.

The T-38's are on the opposite of the spectrum. They are flying at close to the slowest maneuvering speeds possible. Every control and power application has to be precise to keep the slow moving aircraft in their fingertip position for the pass. Everyone is working incredibly hard throughout the demonstration. This was one flight I was definitely just a passenger taking pictures.

Come out and see what will hopefully not be one of the last times the U-2 will perform at Beale AFB.

#bealeairandspaceexpo2025 #bealeairshow #70yearsat70k #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff#legacyofreconnaissance

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Head on out to the Beale Air and Space Expo happening this weekend. I'll be walking around Sunday and would be happy to chat up anybody there. This was fun flight to do a photo shoot on. Back in 2018, we had never done a T-38/U-2 formation demo. This was a practice flight to get certification to perform in front of a crowd. This became the signature pass in front of the crowd. The U-2 leads the formation at nearly its maximum speed and once it starts the bank for the pass, it is basically committed and can't maneuver anymore. It takes a lot of force on the controls just to put it in that bank and there's really no fine tuning. So the timing is critical to make the apex of the turn right at stage center. The T-38's are on the opposite of the spectrum. They are flying at close to the slowest maneuvering speeds possible. Every control and power application has to be precise to keep the slow moving aircraft in their fingertip position for the pass. Everyone is working incredibly hard throughout the demonstration. This was one flight I was definitely just a passenger taking pictures. Come out and see what will hopefully not be one of the last times the U-2 will perform at Beale AFB. #bealeairandspaceexpo2025 #bealeairshow #70yearsat70k #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff#legacyofreconnaissance

1 year ago

View on Instagram |

6/12

As a physics major, I specialized in light and optics. Or as I told all the ladies in the club, “I’m a laser physicist”, and they were suitably impressed and subsequently put as much distance between me and them as they could. You would think, years later, being able to spit out the phrase “I fly top secret spy missions at the edge of space for the US government” would do better with the ladies. Perhaps it’s just me. My wife also says I shouldn’t be using those pickup lines anymore because A) I’m married to her and B) I don’t actually fly those missions in the U-2 anymore.

While I never pursued an Air Force career in physics, I’ve always appreciated seeing physics in action. It’s probably one of the things that draws me to photography. It’s also why I was always fascinated seeing a sunset from high altitude. This shot grabs the reflection of the last of the direct sunlight hitting the exterior rear view mirror. While lower in the atmosphere, more of that yellow light is filtered out due to Rayleigh scattering, leaving red and orange light to wash over the cloud tops below. Some clouds aren’t getting any light anymore from the low angle. Soon the shadow of the Earth, known as the terminator will sweep up through the atmosphere and out into space.

It’s amazing to think that these interactions between the sun, Earth, and atmosphere are happening every second of every day at some point on the planet. How privileged to be in the exact spot to see all this come together from such a unique perspective.

Check out more pictures and videos at ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio)

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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As a physics major, I specialized in light and optics. Or as I told all the ladies in the club, “I’m a laser physicist”, and they were suitably impressed and subsequently put as much distance between me and them as they could. You would think, years later, being able to spit out the phrase “I fly top secret spy missions at the edge of space for the US government” would do better with the ladies. Perhaps it’s just me. My wife also says I shouldn’t be using those pickup lines anymore because A) I’m married to her and B) I don’t actually fly those missions in the U-2 anymore. While I never pursued an Air Force career in physics, I’ve always appreciated seeing physics in action. It’s probably one of the things that draws me to photography. It’s also why I was always fascinated seeing a sunset from high altitude. This shot grabs the reflection of the last of the direct sunlight hitting the exterior rear view mirror. While lower in the atmosphere, more of that yellow light is filtered out due to Rayleigh scattering, leaving red and orange light to wash over the cloud tops below. Some clouds aren’t getting any light anymore from the low angle. Soon the shadow of the Earth, known as the terminator will sweep up through the atmosphere and out into space. It’s amazing to think that these interactions between the sun, Earth, and atmosphere are happening every second of every day at some point on the planet. How privileged to be in the exact spot to see all this come together from such a unique perspective. Check out more pictures and videos at ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio) #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

2 years ago

View on Instagram |

7/12

I don't post that much stuff from my current life. After soaring the stratosphere for nearly 14 years, I now cruise around at mere mortal altitudes of 30-40 thousand feet. But sometimes it can be equally breathtaking.

This was working our way around some storms in the southern hemisphere on our way into Brisbane. The sun is just starting to show it's colors and the Southern Cross sits high near the center of the picture. It really did look like a painting hanging in the sky.

Look for more pictures, stories, and videos on ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio)

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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I don't post that much stuff from my current life. After soaring the stratosphere for nearly 14 years, I now cruise around at mere mortal altitudes of 30-40 thousand feet. But sometimes it can be equally breathtaking. This was working our way around some storms in the southern hemisphere on our way into Brisbane. The sun is just starting to show it's colors and the Southern Cross sits high near the center of the picture. It really did look like a painting hanging in the sky. Look for more pictures, stories, and videos on ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio) #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

2 years ago

View on Instagram |

8/12

It was always a sunny day or a starry night while flying the U-2. No matter what the weather was like on the ground, you were going to be above everything once you made the 20 minute climb to altitude.

I normally tried to not shoot directly into the sun. You would pick up a lot of reflections from the inside of the cockpit. But, sometimes the effects of the rays going through the inch thick acrylic canopy made a spectacular sight.

Enjoy more at ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio)

#notdoneyet #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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It was always a sunny day or a starry night while flying the U-2. No matter what the weather was like on the ground, you were going to be above everything once you made the 20 minute climb to altitude. I normally tried to not shoot directly into the sun. You would pick up a lot of reflections from the inside of the cockpit. But, sometimes the effects of the rays going through the inch thick acrylic canopy made a spectacular sight. Enjoy more at ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio) #notdoneyet #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

2 years ago

View on Instagram |

9/12

A moment of zen

Even just a normal turn, 14 miles above the clouds below, was incredible to see. I never really tired of looking out the canopy of the U-2. The suit was a pain in the ass to prepare for and then put on. It wasn’t always the most comfortable to be strapped into the jet and then heat up trying to get airborne. Even having the most awesome suit technicians in the world didn’t make that process enjoyable.

But sitting there at 70,000 feet, looking out the canopy, made all of it worth it. You forgot you were wearing 35 pounds of gear, strapped into an aluminum glider, pushing the aircraft’s envelope. The engine is much quieter. You can hear it in the background of the video at actual volume. There was a peace, or serenity that came over you.

I will always miss that aspect of the U-2. I hoped to bring a little of that down for everyone else to enjoy through my photos and videos. Thanks for enjoying. Check out lots of cool stuff at ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio)

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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A moment of zen Even just a normal turn, 14 miles above the clouds below, was incredible to see. I never really tired of looking out the canopy of the U-2. The suit was a pain in the ass to prepare for and then put on. It wasn’t always the most comfortable to be strapped into the jet and then heat up trying to get airborne. Even having the most awesome suit technicians in the world didn’t make that process enjoyable. But sitting there at 70,000 feet, looking out the canopy, made all of it worth it. You forgot you were wearing 35 pounds of gear, strapped into an aluminum glider, pushing the aircraft’s envelope. The engine is much quieter. You can hear it in the background of the video at actual volume. There was a peace, or serenity that came over you. I will always miss that aspect of the U-2. I hoped to bring a little of that down for everyone else to enjoy through my photos and videos. Thanks for enjoying. Check out lots of cool stuff at ExtremeRoss.com (link in bio) #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

2 years ago

View on Instagram |

10/12

#whereisextreme

A rare low level view from this jet. One of my favorite places back in 2008 when this was taken. Anyone know where this is?

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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#whereisextreme A rare low level view from this jet. One of my favorite places back in 2008 when this was taken. Anyone know where this is? #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

2 years ago

View on Instagram |

11/12

Looking down on the cold, frozen Hudson Bay, with the most amazing light show ever.

This was from probably my most famous flight back in 2018. There was some viral fame that came from this. There was suddenly a lot of interest in the U-2 from press around the world and our recruiting office suddenly had an influx of wannabe U-2 pilots.

As you might guess, this viral fame had a downside, particularly for me. Some high level military folks at higher commands didn’t have any good words for this and, well, you know how crap rolls downhill. Suddenly I was in the doghouse.

But I survived it, and my photos survived it. These were kind of a culmination of photographic training, research into equipment, and years long planning that I’m still proud of today. I won’t ever get this view again, and my heart is ok with that. The Dragon Lady was a special part of my life and I’m glad I worked to bring a little of that magic down for others to enjoy.

Happy New Year everyone

#savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

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Looking down on the cold, frozen Hudson Bay, with the most amazing light show ever. This was from probably my most famous flight back in 2018. There was some viral fame that came from this. There was suddenly a lot of interest in the U-2 from press around the world and our recruiting office suddenly had an influx of wannabe U-2 pilots. As you might guess, this viral fame had a downside, particularly for me. Some high level military folks at higher commands didn’t have any good words for this and, well, you know how crap rolls downhill. Suddenly I was in the doghouse. But I survived it, and my photos survived it. These were kind of a culmination of photographic training, research into equipment, and years long planning that I’m still proud of today. I won’t ever get this view again, and my heart is ok with that. The Dragon Lady was a special part of my life and I’m glad I worked to bring a little of that magic down for others to enjoy. Happy New Year everyone #savetheU2 #savethea10 #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek @thepilotnetwork #u2dragonladypilot #pilot #picoftheday #pilotpics #sunsets_captures #eclipses #beautifulworld_pics1 #beautifulworld @full_disc_aviation @combat_learjet @pilotstuff

2 years ago

View on Instagram |

12/12

View on Instagram

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