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Around 6 years ago, I took a trip, with about 8 cameras, and parked in a nice little secluded spot in northern Oregon, at about 70,000 feet in the air, and waited for a shadow traveling well over a 1,000 mph.

Find out how I nearly botched this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and managed to snatch at least a little victory from the jaws of defeat. Read “Total Eclipse of the (Almost ) Broken Heart” in the Stories section of ExtremeRoss.com

#greatamericaneclipse #eclipse #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography

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Around 6 years ago, I took a trip, with about 8 cameras, and parked in a nice little secluded spot in northern Oregon, at about 70,000 feet in the air, and waited for a shadow traveling well over a 1,000 mph. Find out how I nearly botched this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and managed to snatch at least a little victory from the jaws of defeat. Read “Total Eclipse of the (Almost ) Broken Heart” in the Stories section of ExtremeRoss.com #greatamericaneclipse #eclipse #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography

3 days ago

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1/12

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1 month ago

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2/12

Happy 4th of July everyone. I'm honored to have been able to serve for 20 (mostly) awesome years defending this flag.

#flag #independenceday #redwhiteandblue #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography

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Happy 4th of July everyone. I'm honored to have been able to serve for 20 (mostly) awesome years defending this flag. #flag #independenceday #redwhiteandblue #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography

2 months ago

View on Instagram |

3/12

On top of the world with a big smile on my face.

Most likely I'm smiling because I'm happy to be off the ground. This was taken in May 2006 while flying out of the desert base we were using at the time. With humid conditions and temps over 110 degrees, as soon as you left the air conditioned suit up room, you were on a clock to get in the jet, get started, and get off the ground. The portable cooler they connect you to can keep you about 20 degrees below ambient temps. They also keep cooling equipment on the jet to cool the equipment bay that houses the inertial navigation unit (INU) as well as cooling for various sensors.

Already feeling the heat seeping in, you get strapped in and complete last minute checks. With a thumbs up to the suit technician watching over, you signal the whole crew to prepare the jet to launch. In a flash, all the hoses get pulled and open panels get fastened closed. The suit tech pulls you from the portable cooler and attaches you to the aircraft vent. No air goes through the vent until the engine is turning and not much comes out until the throttle is full. With no air, you instantly start heating up. It's like sitting in a closed up parked car, baking in the hot sun, and turning it off, but not being able to get out of the car. Any kinds of problems starting the jet and you get yourself back on the portable vent or you're looking at heat stroke.

With the engine turning and pre-taxi checks complete, you quickly start taxiing to the runway. But not too quick or you melt the tailwheel. You can see the temperature of the INU heating up continuously since they pulled the cooling hoses. It's getting the same cooling air as you are which isn't much until the power is up. If it gets too hot, it will shutdown, and the mission will have to abort.

So all in all, getting a jet in the air can be a pretty big accomplishment, one worth celebrating.

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane

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On top of the world with a big smile on my face. Most likely I'm smiling because I'm happy to be off the ground. This was taken in May 2006 while flying out of the desert base we were using at the time. With humid conditions and temps over 110 degrees, as soon as you left the air conditioned suit up room, you were on a clock to get in the jet, get started, and get off the ground. The portable cooler they connect you to can keep you about 20 degrees below ambient temps. They also keep cooling equipment on the jet to cool the equipment bay that houses the inertial navigation unit (INU) as well as cooling for various sensors. Already feeling the heat seeping in, you get strapped in and complete last minute checks. With a thumbs up to the suit technician watching over, you signal the whole crew to prepare the jet to launch. In a flash, all the hoses get pulled and open panels get fastened closed. The suit tech pulls you from the portable cooler and attaches you to the aircraft vent. No air goes through the vent until the engine is turning and not much comes out until the throttle is full. With no air, you instantly start heating up. It's like sitting in a closed up parked car, baking in the hot sun, and turning it off, but not being able to get out of the car. Any kinds of problems starting the jet and you get yourself back on the portable vent or you're looking at heat stroke. With the engine turning and pre-taxi checks complete, you quickly start taxiing to the runway. But not too quick or you melt the tailwheel. You can see the temperature of the INU heating up continuously since they pulled the cooling hoses. It's getting the same cooling air as you are which isn't much until the power is up. If it gets too hot, it will shutdown, and the mission will have to abort. So all in all, getting a jet in the air can be a pretty big accomplishment, one worth celebrating. #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane

2 months ago

View on Instagram |

4/12

I'd like to thank the wonderful people at @runway25shop for putting on an amazing event at the RAF Museum Midlands April 8th. Tom has such a professional group and they really pulled off an impressive display. I'm honored to have been able to speak.

If you got to make it out that way, I'd love to hear from you. I'd like for more of these kinds of events to be in my future. I enjoy talking about the Dragon Lady more than just about anything else. About flying it, instructing in it, and showing the views from it.

Check out ExtremeRoss.com for some of the stories I've told and amazing insight into the U-2 Dragon Lady.

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

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I'd like to thank the wonderful people at @runway25shop for putting on an amazing event at the RAF Museum Midlands April 8th. Tom has such a professional group and they really pulled off an impressive display. I'm honored to have been able to speak. If you got to make it out that way, I'd love to hear from you. I'd like for more of these kinds of events to be in my future. I enjoy talking about the Dragon Lady more than just about anything else. About flying it, instructing in it, and showing the views from it. Check out ExtremeRoss.com for some of the stories I've told and amazing insight into the U-2 Dragon Lady. #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

4 months ago

View on Instagram |

5/12

I’m in the UK this week, getting ready to talk at the @runway25shop event on April 8th. Of course I came down with some crud but thanks to a walk-in clinic, I’m medicated up and on the mend.

This shot is an iPhone 13 shot somewhere over Newfoundland from door 3L of a 777 where I was riding as a passenger (and of course couldn’t sleep). This took a lot of attempts. I’m used to full control but the iPhone doesn’t quite give you full control. It kept wanting to focus close up. I had to eventually get it to autofocus down the length of the plane, then locked that in with a long press. Then slid the exposure higher. Not too bad, but still had some internal reflections.

Hope to see you at Royal Air Force Museum Midlands. Cheers

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I’m in the UK this week, getting ready to talk at the @runway25shop event on April 8th. Of course I came down with some crud but thanks to a walk-in clinic, I’m medicated up and on the mend. This shot is an iPhone 13 shot somewhere over Newfoundland from door 3L of a 777 where I was riding as a passenger (and of course couldn’t sleep). This took a lot of attempts. I’m used to full control but the iPhone doesn’t quite give you full control. It kept wanting to focus close up. I had to eventually get it to autofocus down the length of the plane, then locked that in with a long press. Then slid the exposure higher. Not too bad, but still had some internal reflections. Hope to see you at Royal Air Force Museum Midlands. Cheers

5 months ago

View on Instagram |

6/12

🥸✈️ The night of February 29th, 2008, I was on a routine U-2 mission in the Middle East. At precisely midnight, 14 miles over the desert, I started growing my mustache for ™Mustache March. (or moustache for English speakers outside the US)

With scientific rigor, I wanted to find out what impact growing a mustache in a 100% Oxygen environment would have.

From the (totally non-doctored) video, you can see the transformation is unbelievable.

MOMS (Massive Oxygen Mustache Stimulation) is real. Look for my chain of Mustache and Beard Oxygen Bars coming soon (it’s science...and you better not try stealing my idea)

#mustachemarch #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview

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🥸✈️ The night of February 29th, 2008, I was on a routine U-2 mission in the Middle East. At precisely midnight, 14 miles over the desert, I started growing my mustache for ™Mustache March. (or moustache for English speakers outside the US) With scientific rigor, I wanted to find out what impact growing a mustache in a 100% Oxygen environment would have. From the (totally non-doctored) video, you can see the transformation is unbelievable. MOMS (Massive Oxygen Mustache Stimulation) is real. Look for my chain of Mustache and Beard Oxygen Bars coming soon (it’s science...and you better not try stealing my idea) #mustachemarch #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview

6 months ago

View on Instagram |

7/12

🎈💭I would definitely be remiss in my job if I didn’t acknowledge the AWESOME balloon selfie that’s been going viral. So I grabbed the full res copy and cleaned it up a little. Nice to show off how we can go higher and just hang out around it if we want to.

Good to see the U-2 making positive news, and to see the Air Force embrace that positivity.

Join me at RAF Cosford, UK, April 8th. Head over to @runway25shop to get tickets today.

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview

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🎈💭I would definitely be remiss in my job if I didn’t acknowledge the AWESOME balloon selfie that’s been going viral. So I grabbed the full res copy and cleaned it up a little. Nice to show off how we can go higher and just hang out around it if we want to. Good to see the U-2 making positive news, and to see the Air Force embrace that positivity. Join me at RAF Cosford, UK, April 8th. Head over to @runway25shop to get tickets today. #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview

6 months ago

View on Instagram |

8/12

It’s that time of year…

About 12 years ago I helped the local Girl Scout troop in Osan Air Base, ROK with some unique promotional material.

The one thing they never warn you about when you choose to fly an aircraft that requires a pressure suit, is that you might have to sit there for hours with boxes of Girl Scout cookies and not be able to eat them. I don’t think the Girl Scouts ever returned our phone calls asking for thin mint tube food either.

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

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It’s that time of year… About 12 years ago I helped the local Girl Scout troop in Osan Air Base, ROK with some unique promotional material. The one thing they never warn you about when you choose to fly an aircraft that requires a pressure suit, is that you might have to sit there for hours with boxes of Girl Scout cookies and not be able to eat them. I don’t think the Girl Scouts ever returned our phone calls asking for thin mint tube food either. #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

7 months ago

View on Instagram |

9/12

🚀Cleared for Takeoff

Ask almost any U-2 pilot what is one of the most memorable experiences of flying the U-2 and many would likely say the rocket ship ride you take on initial takeoff. I still remember well the feeling of “holy crap!” on my first takeoff during my interview.

Full power pumps out about 17,000 pounds of thrust on a machine that weighs just over 20,000 lbs. It propels you to lift off in about 400 feet and would accelerate you past your structural speed limits in mere seconds if you didn’t pitch the jet up to around 30-45 degrees nose high. Climbing at over 10,000 feet per minute, you can easily blast through your desired level off point (and many student do). You have to pull power and bring the nose down starting a full 1000 feet before level off.

To help students experience the Dragon Lady (and learn to not blow through their altitudes), I created a series of 360 degree VR training videos. This is from one on the initial takeoff. It’s to a pattern altitude of 2000 feet. Notice it only takes a few seconds once off the ground.

You can go and experience some of these training videos for yourself at ExtremeRoss.com. Go to the dropdown under Galleries and click on U-2 Training.

Want to learn more about the U-2 and my photography, check out the talk I’ll be giving in the UK in April. Head over to @runway25shop to find out

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

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🚀Cleared for Takeoff Ask almost any U-2 pilot what is one of the most memorable experiences of flying the U-2 and many would likely say the rocket ship ride you take on initial takeoff. I still remember well the feeling of “holy crap!” on my first takeoff during my interview. Full power pumps out about 17,000 pounds of thrust on a machine that weighs just over 20,000 lbs. It propels you to lift off in about 400 feet and would accelerate you past your structural speed limits in mere seconds if you didn’t pitch the jet up to around 30-45 degrees nose high. Climbing at over 10,000 feet per minute, you can easily blast through your desired level off point (and many student do). You have to pull power and bring the nose down starting a full 1000 feet before level off. To help students experience the Dragon Lady (and learn to not blow through their altitudes), I created a series of 360 degree VR training videos. This is from one on the initial takeoff. It’s to a pattern altitude of 2000 feet. Notice it only takes a few seconds once off the ground. You can go and experience some of these training videos for yourself at ExtremeRoss.com. Go to the dropdown under Galleries and click on U-2 Training. Want to learn more about the U-2 and my photography, check out the talk I’ll be giving in the UK in April. Head over to @runway25shop to find out #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

7 months ago

View on Instagram |

10/12

“And...ROLL!”

Announces Red 1-the commander of the Red Arrows demonstration team and the flight lead of this 9-ship formation.

My shaky camera footage was from the back seat of Red 7. This all came from an opportunity brought about after drinking at a bar with some of the Red Arrow pilots at RAF Akrotiri in 2007.

Head over to ExtremeRoss.com, Galleries-Awesome Flying and you can see the full video

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview

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“And...ROLL!” Announces Red 1-the commander of the Red Arrows demonstration team and the flight lead of this 9-ship formation. My shaky camera footage was from the back seat of Red 7. This all came from an opportunity brought about after drinking at a bar with some of the Red Arrow pilots at RAF Akrotiri in 2007. Head over to ExtremeRoss.com, Galleries-Awesome Flying and you can see the full video #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview

7 months ago

View on Instagram |

11/12

Getting an aircraft whose only job is to fly high, back down to the ground takes a little effort. Unlike most any other aircraft with retractable gear, first step in the descent is to lower the landing gear. Even though there is only a main gear and small tail wheel, they provide some drag necessary to get you down. Then you extend the speed brakes that fan out on the aft part of the fuselage. Then the flaps are shifted up to a negative position. This unusual feature takes stress off the tail as you speed up through the thicker air down low. Next the spoilers are locked up and finally the throttle is brought to idle.

In the US, we have to get ATC clearance out of the Class E airspace above 60,000 feet, where we are VFR on top, and in to the Class A airspace that goes from 18,000 to 60,000.

Usually the throttle will stay in idle until you reach the traffic pattern or get leveled off by ATC. This particular descent ends in an Overhead pattern, a pattern used primarily by military aircraft where you arrive overhead the runway high speed and then "pitch out" to turn and land. Before the final turn, we will verify gear down, speed brakes out, and flaps at full (35 degrees). 90 knots in the final turn and then slow to T (threshold)-speed, determined from your weight (around 80 knots). Get it to 2 feet, on centerline, no crab, no drift, then hold it until it stalls and the tail touches first. Simple as that.

Here, this descent from 2011, happens in less than a minute. Enjoy and then head over to @runway25shop to grab your tickets for my upcoming UK talk.

#extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

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Getting an aircraft whose only job is to fly high, back down to the ground takes a little effort. Unlike most any other aircraft with retractable gear, first step in the descent is to lower the landing gear. Even though there is only a main gear and small tail wheel, they provide some drag necessary to get you down. Then you extend the speed brakes that fan out on the aft part of the fuselage. Then the flaps are shifted up to a negative position. This unusual feature takes stress off the tail as you speed up through the thicker air down low. Next the spoilers are locked up and finally the throttle is brought to idle. In the US, we have to get ATC clearance out of the Class E airspace above 60,000 feet, where we are VFR on top, and in to the Class A airspace that goes from 18,000 to 60,000. Usually the throttle will stay in idle until you reach the traffic pattern or get leveled off by ATC. This particular descent ends in an Overhead pattern, a pattern used primarily by military aircraft where you arrive overhead the runway high speed and then "pitch out" to turn and land. Before the final turn, we will verify gear down, speed brakes out, and flaps at full (35 degrees). 90 knots in the final turn and then slow to T (threshold)-speed, determined from your weight (around 80 knots). Get it to 2 feet, on centerline, no crab, no drift, then hold it until it stalls and the tail touches first. Simple as that. Here, this descent from 2011, happens in less than a minute. Enjoy and then head over to @runway25shop to grab your tickets for my upcoming UK talk. #extremerossphotography #thepilotnetwork #aviationphotography #u2dragonlady #usairforce #u2driver @airandspacemuseum #extreme #extremeross #lockheed #stratosphere #avgeek #instaviation #planesofinstagram #aviation_lovers #aviationdaily #u2spyplane @theaviationist #instaaviationphotography #aviationlovers #niceview #niceviews #planespotter @eaa @aviationweek

8 months ago

View on Instagram |

12/12

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Red Arrows Over Akrotiri-2007

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