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Home  >  Delta Air Lines  >  Delta Pilot Now Flies U-2 Spy Plane For U.S. Air Force
Delta Air Lines

Delta Pilot Now Flies U-2 Spy Plane For U.S. Air Force

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 19, 2020November 14, 2023 12 Comments

a black airplane flying over mountains

A Delta Air Lines pilot has pivoted from commercial to back to military and is now flying the U-2 spy plane, one of the most exclusive airplanes in the world.

We love flying vintage aircraft at Live and Let’s Fly, but the Lockheed U-2 takes things to a whole other level. It first took the air in 1955 and continues to fly for the United States Air Force 65 years later. Over that history, only about 1,500 pilots have flown it. It is known as the most difficult aircraft in the world to fly and cruises at 70,000 feet, twice the altitude of commercial jet.

Major Jeffrey Anderson was a reservist for the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, just north of Sacramento, California. He also was a Delta Air Lines pilot. But he recently took the call to return to active duty.

Speaking to Business Insider, Anderson said:

“I applied for the U-2 program while in active duty, and then switched to the reserves. The last two years I’ve been flying for Delta Air Lines and then I took a two year break and now I’m back flying the U-2.”

Flying The U-2 “Dragon Lady”

Anderson makes history as the first Air Force reservist to fly the U-2, also known as the Dragon Lady. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine aircraft. While he no regrets leaving active duty and joining the reserves two years ago, he could not turn down the opportunity to return and fly this exclusive jet.

“Two and a half years ago when I flew my last mission. I’ve flown so long and reflected back on my time flying. It was the right decision for my family to commit to the reserves and didn’t have a slight thought of being back here. Now, I get the chance to support this impressive mission and this is truly amazing.”

Unmentioned: with only two years of seniority at Delta, it probably was a very good time to leave Delta and return to active duty.

CONCLUSION

We hear a lot about ex-military officers flying for commercial airlines, but it is rare that a commercial pilot returns to active duty. But with the commercial airline industry in turmoil and a chance to fly the U-2, I don’t think the choice was very hard for Anderson.

image: Lockheed

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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12 Comments

  1. Andy K Reply
    May 19, 2020 at 2:23 pm

    Very cool, and I agree that is timing was fortuitous.

  2. Allen Reply
    May 19, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    Very proud of your decision to return to the military in this extraordinary experience. Best to you and keep up your dedication in something your happy and proud of doing. I’m 46 year retired Delta aircraft technician.

  3. Stuart Reply
    May 19, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Bet he’s missing the biscoff cookies though.

  4. Aaron Reply
    May 19, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    I wonder what missions are being flown right now? I bet there’s no room for Biscoffs and kind bars up there!

    • Frank Furr Reply
      May 19, 2020 at 11:34 pm

      Great to see that former Dragon Lady pilots can return to the cockpit. Maybe they will take me back. Thanks for your service to our nation. Fuzzy Furr #273

  5. Paolo Reply
    May 19, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    This must be a very old plane because it’s the same model piloted by Gary Powers when he was shot down by the Russians in 1960. I guess the electronics has been updated.

  6. Christian Reply
    May 20, 2020 at 12:37 am

    @Matthew – Any idea why such an ancient plane is still flying?

    • Matthew Reply
      May 20, 2020 at 7:58 am

      I would guess the plane works, the technology works, and the USAF sees no need to update it, especially when it is spending so much money on other aircraft acquisitions.

  7. Willy Reply
    May 20, 2020 at 12:49 am

    Ugh, what a crappy mission. You’re in a pressure suit for a long time, preflight takes forever! It’s quick to takeoff but then you have to circle, circle, circle up to get to altitude. Then you just fly a long flight path somewhere doing whatever it does. Turn around and come back. Circle overhead all the way down and land. Bleh, no thanks.

    • 747always Reply
      May 20, 2020 at 6:19 am

      If you like your solitude then it’s an awesome experience. And from all accounts the plane isn’t the easiest to fly. And then of course, since you’re mission height is approx 70000 feet on average, there’s the views which very few people will get to see.

    • Jose Hemanis Reply
      May 20, 2020 at 8:52 am

      Who proof read this copy, a ten year old?

  8. M Garrard Reply
    May 21, 2020 at 9:01 am

    I’ll bet there are more than a few grounded airline pilots hoping to get back into flying with the military. Will help ease the pilot shortage — for a time.

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