The first woman to Fly the U-2 spy plane - Aviation for Aviators
Connect with us

About a Career in Aviation

The first woman to Fly the U-2 spy plane

Published

on

Colonel Merryl Tengesdal, born in the Bronx, New York, in 1971 was the first and only African American woman to fly the United States Air Force’s U-2 spy plane, the unique and famous aircraft used to spy and reconnaissance flown in the Cold War over the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, and Cuba. Merryl overcame and broke down barriers in more ways than one. She has accomplished what seemed like a mission impossible, to be in Air force being a pilot working for the spy missions and risky operations overseas.

U-2 Aircraft. Source: Lockheed Martin.

She attended school, showing great interest over science and math classes, being excellent and proficient in these subjects, enrolled in university pursuing a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, and in 1994, completed U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School. As a naval aviator, she flew a SH-60B Seahawk helicopter working in several and different scenarios of special security operations. Even participated in combat operations around the world.

Merryl Tengesdal. Source: merryltengesdal.com
SH-60B helicopter, an aircraft in which merryl has experience. Source: airvectors.net

Tengesdal became an instructor pilot on the T-6 Texan II in 2000s, and in 2004 she approved the rigorous U-2 pilot training program and conducted training missions aboard the TU-2S. Meryl became pilot of the Lockheed U-2S Dragon at Beale Air Force Base in Northern California.

Flying the U-2 seems to be a difficult task and it is, and not only this issue but talking about the overflights in hostile territories. Furthermore, flying a single-seat aircraft over 70,000 feet above the earth surface. Colonel Tengesdal supported U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia). During her career she accumulated more than 3,400 flight hours and more than 330 combat hours.

Tengesdal and the T-38 aircraft, a two-seat, twinjet supersonic jet trainer. Source: merryltengesdal.com

It is very uncommon, even for this day and age, to be a female pilot, much less a female minority. I think we are all limitless as to what we can accomplish.Lieutenant Colonel Merryl (David) Tengesdal

Merryl has obtained a Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and since 1 October 2015 she was promoted to Colonel.

Advertisement

References:

https://merryltengesdal.com/

http://www.raahistory.com/u2.htm

Advertisement

Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (1971- )

Cover photo:

Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal stands in front of a U-2 Feb. 9, 2015, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Tengesdal. / http://www.af.mil

Advertisement

About a Career in Aviation

A glance over business aviation

Published

on

Business aviation is essential for many companies of all sizes and types. This article we will discuss some of the benefits of business aviation and its customers, and the most distinctive air jet.

What is business aviation?

Business aviation is a part of general aviation that relies on using airplanes and helicopters, piston-powered propeller-driven airplanes, turbine-powered turboprops, and turbo for business purposes. Most business aviation aircraft have seats for no more than six people and fly on average trips under 1,000 miles, and others fly more than 1,000 miles. To make it more flexible and comfortable it is provided with phones, mobile connectivity, and high-speed internet access. Business aviation has a vital role in the international economy and jobs opportunity.

Credit: https://nbaa.org/
Advertisements

Benefits of the business aviation

Among many benefits of the business aviation industry; is saving customers’ time and increasing their productivity by reaching several destinations without any cancellations or delays, transporting equipment that companies don’t have the ability to transport easily, and customers’ flexible movement according to the schedule and time they want and charity activities and transport of organs, blood, and injuries in case of accidents. Business aviation contributes to supporting countries’ economies directly through manufacturing airplanes and airport-related jobs, the industry employs 1.2 million people As well that it contributes indirectly through transporting goods, services, and maintenance operations. The average U.S economic output of Business aviation is $150 billion.

Advertisements

Corporate Angel Network (CAN)

More than 500 American companies contribute to the (CAN) corporate angel network, which means that they leave empty seats on their planes for cancer patients to receive the best possible care by traveling to specialized treatment centers across the country. Since its beginning in 1981, about 60000 flights were arranged for patients and their families.

Advertisement
Advertisements

Customers of business aviation

  • Most businesses’ customers are wealthy individuals, sportsmen, politicians, and entrepreneurs
  • Cargo, mails, and parts
  • Direct use
  • Transporting suppliers
  • Transporting customers
  • Charity support by businesses who give help by offering charity support. For example, they may offer patient transportation to far-off treatment centers when care isn’t urgent. Medical personnel and supplies can also reach otherwise inaccessible disaster areas using business aircraft.
Credit: https://nbaa.org/
Advertisements

Crew members

The commercial crew members start flight preparations in the already awaiting aircraft. Business pilots have other ground handling-related tasks to fulfill before entering the flight deck for documentation and other procedures. The quality of business aviation service is very notable. While in commercial aviation crew members barely talk to passengers, pilots talk significantly to customers and greet outside and continue to keep the contact throughout the flight if they need to.

Credit: https://www.flightglobal.com/
Advertisements

Bombardier as business jets leader

Bombardier is a leader in aviation, working in manufacturing, designing, and building the most distinguished global business jets. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5000 aircraft in service with variable charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. on 30 March 2022 Bombardier delivered the 100th Global 7500 to Vista Jet (global business aviation). The number of deliverers will be 17 in the Vista Jet fleet at the end of 2022.

Advertisements

What about the Global 7500:

The global 7500 combines all the advantages of a business aircraft including fast crew speed, high cruise altitude, short airfield operations, and low cabin altitude available on converted airliners such as a full kitchen a permanent bed, and a stand-up shower. The global 7500 aircraft have the longest maintenance intervals of any business jet on the market. It can travel 7700 nautical miles range, joining cities such as New York to Hong Kong and San Francisco to Sydney. The global 7500 aircraft carried out the longest city pair flight in history when it flew from Sydney to Detroit at an astonishing distance of 8225 nautical miles. Being both the fastest and the slowest business jet in its class, the most stable takeoff and landing speeds. The global 7500 is what’s referred to as the best of the best.

Advertisements

Sources

Advertisements
Continue Reading

About a Career in Aviation

How to Recognize the Type of Commercial Airplanes – PART#1

Published

on

Have you ever been sitting in the airport waiting for your flight whilst watching planes of different sizes taxiing, taking – off, and/or landing in front of you? Did that ever make you wonder what type of planes are these? And how specialists differentiate between them?

Advertisements
(more…)
Continue Reading

About a Career in Aviation

Have you ever thought to become a flight instructor?

Published

on

For many people, learning to fly is a dream come true. But have you ever considered teaching flying? To be a flight instructor?

A flight instructor is someone who instructs others on how to fly planes. Specific powers allowed to holders of a flight instructor certificate differ by country, but in general, a flight instructor helps an aviator improve or evaluate his or her knowledge and skill level to obtain a higher pilot’s license, certificate, or rating.

Advertisements

Job duties

Flight instructors are in charge of teaching students how to fly in a range of situations, utilizing several roaches such as textbook education, simulators, and actual flight training. Ground-school classes are used by flight instructors to teach students the fundamentals of flying an airplane as well as to assist them to prepare for the written test they will face when applying for their pilot’s license.

Advertisement
Advertisements

They frequently use simulators or dual-controlled planes to introduce students to the experience of flying an aircraft after they have completed their textbook education. Finally, to finish their training, they accompany their students on live flights. Examiners, or check pilots, are some instructors that fly with applicants or pilots to ensure proficiency.

Advertisements

Flight instructors create curriculum to teach students in a classroom setting, lead training flights, assess student proficiency, track student progress, and experiment with innovative teaching approaches. They are in charge of teaching students about aircraft systems, operating procedures, handling crises, issue analysis, aircraft navigation, radio operation, and aerodynamics, among other topics.

Credit: calaero.edu
Advertisements

Job requirements

Before seeking to become Certified Flight Instructors, most pilots must have either Commercial Pilot Certification, which takes 250 flying hours or Airline Transport Pilot Certification, which requires 1,500 flight hours. To become a flight teacher, you must be at least 18 years old, be able to communicate clearly in English, and have a pilot’s license for the type of aircraft that is appropriate for the flight instructor rating you desire.
Other requirements apply, such as completing knowledge and practical tests and demonstrating a certain number of total flight hours. A flight instructor must be certified in the aircraft type that will be utilized for student instruction. For specialty aircraft like helicopters, the flying instructor must have at least five pilot-in-command hours.

Advertisements

The Advantages of being a flight instructor

  • The ability to work freely. International students who want to be flight instructors have two options: work for an educational institution or start their flight school. This is a very appealing alternative for flight instructors who want to be more self-sufficient and work for themselves. The company will thrive and become extremely profitable with luck and talent.
  • Being a teacher has many perks. The thrill of giving knowledge to their students is the first response most flight instructors give when asked what they enjoy most about their jobs. Any teacher or instructor can attest to the thrill of watching a student “understand” something they’ve been taught. This is true for flying instructors as well. It’s tremendously fulfilling to know that you’re in charge of someone else’s education.
Advertisements
  • Earn money by flying. The ability to earn a living as a pilot is the most significant and satisfying reason to work as a flight instructor. No one would pursue a pilot’s license if they didn’t enjoy flying, and the chance to make a profession doing something you enjoy is something that not many people are fortunate enough to have.
Advertisements
  • You are at home every night and generally one weekend day. For many airline pilots, being at home rather than going away regularly is preferable. Are you willing to spend up to 12 nights a month away from your home, family, and friends? This works well for some people, but it may place a strain on their family life for others.
Advertisements



This beside some other advantages as:

  • Instructors in aviation are in high demand.
  • Getting to know people.
  • Highly valued position.
  • Acquire experience.
  • Challenging
Advertisements

Types of flight instructor certificates

  • CFI (Certified Flight Instructor): A single-engine aircraft flight instructor.
  • A flight instructor who teaches instrument flying is known as a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII).
  • A multi-engine instructor (MEI) is a multi-engine aircraft flight instructor.
Advertisements

Aviation growth and the need for flight instructors

Over the years, the aviation sector has seen an increase in global pilot demand, which has resulted in a strong need for training aircraft and simulators in flight schools. Many airlines, on the other hand, are experiencing pilot shortages, which are hurting their everyday operations. Flights lasting more than 12 hours usually necessitate a crew of four pilots. However, due to a pilot shortage, numerous airlines are still flying such long-haul trips with three pilots. The lack of educated pilots to meet the ever-increasing demand is predicted to drive demand for pilot training around the world.

Advertisements

During the forecast period (2022-2027), the civil aviation flight training and simulation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 15%.

Advertisement
Credit: airhub.aero
Advertisements

Sources :

Advertisements
Continue Reading

News

A319 A319
Aviation News1 month ago

American Airlines Airbus A319 Diverts to Memphis After Engine Shutdown: An In-Depth Look

An American Airlines Airbus A319, operated by Fort Worth-based American Airlines, encountered engine problems mid-flight, resulting in an emergency landing...

STEM STEM
Aviation News1 month ago

United Airlines’ $1.25 Million Investment Empowers STEM Education in Schools

United Airlines has announced a remarkable initiative to allocate $1.25 million towards funding various STEM projects in schools across selected...

Photo by Lukas Koo Man Ho Photo by Lukas Koo Man Ho
Aviation News1 month ago

LATAM Airlines Pilot Dies En Route from Miami to Santiago

In a rare and tragic incident, a LATAM Airlines pilot passed away mid-flight during a scheduled journey from Miami to...

American Airlines American Airlines
Aviation News1 month ago

American Airlines Passengers Amazed as Service Dog Secures Three Seats for Comfortable Flight

In a heartwarming and surprising scene aboard a recent American Airlines flight, passengers were treated to the sight of an...

Qatar Airways Qatar Airways
Aviation News1 month ago

Australia’s Rejection of Qatar Airways Expansion Could Incur $500 Million Annual Loss

Australia’s recent denial of Doha-based Qatar Airways’ request to expand its operations in the country is expected to result in...

Aviation News1 month ago

Riyadh Air Announces Partnership with Atlético de Madrid in Landmark Sports Sponsorship

Saudi-based startup, Riyadh Air, in a groundbreaking announcement, has confirmed its multi-year partnership with the esteemed Spanish football club, Atlético...

Aviation News1 month ago

Air India Unveils New Livery and Logo

Air India (AI) has announced a significant rebranding, unveiling its new livery colors and logo. While maintaining its signature red...

Jazeera Airways Jazeera Airways
Aviation News1 month ago

Jazeera Airways Expands Fleet and Boosts Revenue by 26% in First Half of 2023

Fleet Expansion and New Routes Drive Impressive Passenger Growth Kuwaiti airline Jazeera Airways recently announced its financial results for the...

Hacker Hacker
Aviation News2 months ago

60,000 American Airlines Advantage Miles Stolen From a Hacker

In a recent incident, an American Airlines frequent flyer fell victim to a hacker who stole over 60,000 AAdvantage miles...

Emirates Emirates
Aviation News2 months ago

Emirates Celebrates 20 Years of Service in New Zealand

Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, is celebrating its 20th anniversary of service in New Zealand. The airline began its inaugural flights...


Avgeekcast podcast

Advertisements

Trending

%d bloggers like this: