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2228
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A Photo of the Most Elite Pilots on Earth Looking Incredibly Badass (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by sparkplug49

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[–]pmilla1606 494 points495 points ago

extremely relevant

James May and U2's. Watch it, it's beautiful.

[–]intensenerd 96 points97 points ago

His emotions just reach out and tug at your heart strings.

[–]wbrisX360 22 points23 points ago

Or is it his stripey jumper? I thouroughly enjoyed that video.

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    [–]StarTrekMike 29 points30 points ago

    Wow, I could only imagine being there, the emotions that one must feel when they finally get that sort of perspective.

    I am getting emotional just thinking about it.

    Thanks for the video, really, you made my evening with this.

    [–]JelloLegs 10 points11 points ago

    Phenomenal, thank you for sharing this. Now, get those onions out of here!

    [–]AmmoBradley 2 points3 points ago

    Fun Fact: James May is the only civilian to ever receieve an incentive flight in the U2.

    [–]nroth21 21 points22 points ago

    ^

    Came here to say this. A must watch.

    [–]thebendavis 2 points3 points ago

    That pilot is awesome. Flies to 70k feet with Capt. Slow in the back seat, perfect time for some clam chowder.

    [–]Barnaby_Fuckin_Jones 2 points3 points ago

    This was awesome. Really great production and music.

    Is this from Top Gear or is it just one of the guys from the show?

    I will admit that I'm neither a gear head or British but I love that show and I can't figure out why.

    [–]bumfybollocks 2 points3 points ago

    Each time I watch this I become so bloody emotional. It really shows how tiny we are and the staggering beauty of looking down on earth. Lucky sod to do that. Lucky, lucky sod.

    [–]spoon_master 2 points3 points ago

    That was a great watch. I wish I were able to do that some day, it just looks breathtaking

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      [–]patrik667 109 points110 points ago

      I'm going to raise you this.

      [–]nachobel 15 points16 points ago

      IIRC, Nasa is still flying one, maybe two of these for high altitude tests of some sort. I'm afraid to look because they might not any more and that would be crushing. I'm currently an Air Force officer and am holding out hope that over the years I'll make the right friends and one day - backseat ride.

      Literally the only thing I want out of life.

      [–]bs0l 6 points7 points ago

      They've been discontinued. Keep holding out though, sooner or later they'll declassify some amazing jet similar to the "Aurora" myth. Get a ride on that.

      [–]itmaysoundsilly 2 points3 points ago

      I'm pretty sure NASA stopped flying those back in the 90's, but fyi they are still flying the high-altitude (and I humbly say badass) WB-57's out of NASA Houston. It doesn't go as fast as the SR-71 but you'd still get to wear an astronaut suit in the backseat!

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        [–]Snarfthedstroyer 8 points9 points ago

        I love this plane. Some kids grow up wanting a Mustang or Camaro or other car, I have always wanted an SR-71. I know it's now reasonable, but if I ever have Bill Gates-type money, you bet your ass this is my first purchase.

        [–]foxbrb 6 points7 points ago

        I'm with you man. I'm fortunate enough to have one not an hour from my house. Seeing it in person is surreal.

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            [–]SilentTheTyrant 589 points590 points ago

            They all have small and saggy boobs.

            [–]kasperhej 433 points434 points ago

            and suddenly, they stopped looking cool, and started looking like fat homers wearing space helmets...

            [–]ObviouslyIntoxicated 248 points249 points ago

            Damn, I took longer than I should have with this.

            [–]Mock_Me 61 points62 points ago

            That's because you're obviously intoxicated.

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              [–]RealityChickCheck 35 points36 points ago

              http://imgur.com/wUk2v

              [–]Reesch 111 points112 points ago

              Thanks for ruining it.

              [–]kasperhej 38 points39 points ago

              Just sharing my pain.

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                  [–]Barnaby_Fuckin_Jones 139 points140 points ago

                  Here are two of them without their suits.

                  [–]oblong127 7 points8 points ago

                  upvote for Slitheen.

                  [–]MrSomethingHeroic 1 point2 points ago

                  I will upvote you for knowing what Slitheen are.

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                    [–]gamemasterAS 27 points28 points ago

                    Aaaaaannnnnnnd I just had to switch to a new wallpaper.

                    [–]codythomashunsberger 7 points8 points ago

                    Thanks for ruining this photo for me.

                    [–]azurleaf 3 points4 points ago

                    Nahh, they all look like the marshmallow men from Castle Story.

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                      [–]MyLittleLamprey 4 points5 points ago

                      Moobs was my first thought too.

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                        [–]Olukon 26 points27 points ago

                        Helmets light up and it turns out they're all back-up dancers for Daft Punk.

                        [–]keagator 3 points4 points ago

                        I would watch that.

                        load more comments (1 reply)

                          [–]sparkplug49[S] 134 points135 points ago

                          Original Article

                          [–]the_sam_ryan 73 points74 points ago

                          Grrrr... I utterly hate it when people try to relate to common folk by saying "thats fewer people than people that won the superbowl...."

                          [–]jadeycakes 63 points64 points ago

                          Seriously. I mean the super bowl has been around for over 40 years. Well over 80 people have super bowl rings. That's just simple math.

                          [–]cabrum3 25 points26 points ago

                          80? that is a huge understatement. there are around 50 people on a football team so well over 80 people have super bowl rings in the past 2 years.

                          [–]mhender 21 points22 points ago

                          i think (hope) he was joking. but also gotta consider how long superbowl winners keep on livin' past 50.

                          [–]fleetze 34 points35 points ago

                          They've had to cut costs lately. Two rings are tossed into the locker room and the team fights over them.

                          [–]ARedFez 40 points41 points ago

                          Three rings for the cheese-kings in the bay, Seven for the saint-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for the Giant Men, doomed to die, And one for the commissioner on his commissioner's throne, In the land of 345 Park Avenue where shadows lie, One ring to milk them all, one ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness combine them, In the land of 345 Park Avenue where shadows lie.

                          [–]Eye__of__Sauron 5 points6 points ago

                          ಠ

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                            [–]Ciceros_Assassin 3 points4 points ago

                            I think I would rather watch this than the football game.

                            [–]BluShine 5 points6 points ago

                            It was a reference to the fact that there are 80 elite pilots. And, it's pretty obvious that there are more than 80 super bowl winners.

                            [–]jadeycakes 11 points12 points ago

                            Did anyone read the accompanying article?

                            Pictured are 14 of a total of about 80 pilots currently qualified on the U-2. Less people have flown the U-2 than there are people with Super Bowl rings.

                            [–]mb9023 5 points6 points ago

                            The superbowl ring wikipedia page says the NFL gives out 150 rings to the winning team EACH YEAR. Sooo many people have rings it's not even funny.

                            [–]mildly_inappropriate 6 points7 points ago

                            I'm afraid you're going to have to actually spell it out for them. I can't be bothered.

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                                  [–]GaryDuder 13 points14 points ago

                                  "Ain't so much people what's flown this plain than folk that's won a superbowl ring."

                                  [–]OobiDoobKanOobi 2 points3 points ago

                                  the use of "less" rather than "fewer" got me there, too.

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                                    [–]reddit_user13 26 points27 points ago

                                    U-2? Nah.

                                    SR-71 FTW!!!

                                    [–]AerialAmphibian 17 points18 points ago

                                    Indeed. Kelly Johnson designed the U-2. When one was shot down by the Soviet Union in 1960, he and his Lockheed Skunk Works team created the YF-12 / A-12 / SR-71 Blackbird variants of what remains the fastest air-breathing, non-rocket-powered aircraft ever made. The record has stood for 36 years.

                                    It may have been broken already, but we won't know until the current record holding government decides to declassify some top secret information.

                                    [–]reddit_user13 33 points34 points ago

                                    Not to mention that Bono is a wanker....

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                                          [–]trunksbomb 998 points999 points ago

                                          Hey guys, I did a faceswap: http://i.imgur.com/tvC95.jpg

                                          [–]Pizza_Tiger 781 points782 points ago

                                          http://i.imgur.com/cOBOM.jpg

                                          [–]musictomyomelette 42 points43 points ago

                                          I wasn't expecting that

                                          [–]Garbagio 23 points24 points ago

                                          I clicked on comments specifically for this faceswap. I've been around this here side of the internet for too long.

                                          [–]HasselbladArm 69 points70 points ago

                                          you are a god.

                                          [–]koviko 5 points6 points ago

                                          TIL jets have faces.

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                                            [–]BassheadPanda 479 points480 points ago

                                            I don't know what else I expected.

                                            [–]Bored_At_Night 347 points348 points ago

                                            I was expecting a lot more airplanes.

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                                              [–]AldenH 199 points200 points ago

                                              You even took the time to reupload it so we don't expect it. How considerate of you.

                                              [–]FuCKiNTowel 92 points93 points ago

                                              it's all in the details

                                              [–]ShiningMyStroller 14 points15 points ago

                                              It's not about the karma, it's about sending a message.

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                                                  [–]m0nkeybl1tz 106 points107 points ago

                                                  Hahahaha, look at the guy on the right. Classic!

                                                  [–]FleeCircus 6 points7 points ago

                                                  That made me look twice (or is it trice)

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                                                    [–]TheSose 58 points59 points ago

                                                    I made a .gif that says otherwise.

                                                    http://i.picasion.com/pic57/42545917b90b34ec2208efd0361444c0.gif

                                                    [–]trunksbomb 33 points34 points ago

                                                    Oh you.. you got me.

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                                                      [–]joevaded 11 points12 points ago

                                                      You son of a bitch. Took a minute out of my life as I went between tabs playing the worst game of spot the difference.

                                                      [–]the_sam_ryan 14 points15 points ago

                                                      I liked that.

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                                                        [–]stryrker 125 points126 points ago

                                                        quite an amazing set of pilots flying an amazing plane...designed in the 1950's.

                                                        [–]acranox 28 points29 points ago

                                                        If you haven't, you should read Skunk Works. I highly enjoyed it.

                                                        http://www.amazon.com/Skunk-Works-Personal-Memoir-Lockheed/dp/0316743003/

                                                        [–]Zeitgeist420 11 points12 points ago

                                                        Great book. My favorite part was the story about the young engineer designing the intake for the F-105 (I think). Kelly Johnson walked over, looked over his shoulder, and told him that it looked like it needed to be about 30% bigger. Turns out it needed to be about 30% bigger.

                                                        [–]Tikimoof 5 points6 points ago

                                                        One day as [Ben] Rich was working on the design of an inlet for a jet engine, Johnson stopped by his desk, holding a drawing of the part. "It will be way too draggy," he told Rich. "It's about 20 percent too big. Refigure it." Rich spent the rest of the day recalculating the design and found the inlet was 18 percent too large.

                                                        Philip Taubman, Secret Empire, pg 76-77 (paperback edition)

                                                        Not the same book, but I'm guessing the same story.

                                                        [–]Zeitgeist420 2 points3 points ago

                                                        Yep, I said 30% instead of 20%. I stand corrected - read the book 10 years ago haha

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                                                          [–]Cobra800089 11 points12 points ago

                                                          Yes! Absolutely, I read this 4 or 5 years ago. It's an incredibly fascinating read. The part that stuck with me most is the pilot of the SR-71 saying he started his turn over Colorado and hit the apex of his turn halfway over the pacific ocean, unreal.

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                                                            [–]Peuned 37 points38 points ago

                                                            Sexy U2 silhouette. Damn that plane.

                                                            [–]dave_davidson 33 points34 points ago

                                                            Sexy U2 silhouette. Damn that Bono.

                                                            [–]Ionlywanttoinsultyou 2 points3 points ago

                                                            Wearing the most elitely dorky helmets in the world.

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                                                              [–]HailPresidentSkroob 47 points48 points ago

                                                              My friend's dad was a U-2 pilot. About 10 years ago they arranged to have us come out to the base one summer day and tag along in the chase cars while they were doing some touch-and-go training exercises. They probably had four or five planes in the air that day, and two cars follow the aircraft at high speed while the drivers communicate with the pilot over the radio to tell him how high above the ground he is until the moment of touchdown. The pilots would set the wheels down and then throttle up and go around for another pass. It was so much fun. Truly a beautiful aircraft.

                                                              Proof:

                                                              http://i.imgur.com/faLuH.jpg

                                                              My buddy's dad also took his camera up on one of his high altitude flights. Blue to black.

                                                              http://i.imgur.com/frN8s.jpg

                                                              http://i.imgur.com/PBNmK.jpg

                                                              [–]In_Your_Cooch 191 points192 points ago

                                                              Hey! Who turned out the lights? Hey! Who turned out the lights? Hey! Who turned out the lights?

                                                              [–]ohwhyhello 29 points30 points ago

                                                              I also thought of Doctor Who, but not that episode. The episode(s) where the small girl is in the space suit. Trying to be very ambiguous as to not ruin it for someone who wants to start watching.

                                                              [–]eleventh_doctor_who 9 points10 points ago

                                                              Oh hello there!

                                                              [–]ohwhyhello 7 points8 points ago

                                                              Hello there Mr. 11.

                                                              [–]swohio 2 points3 points ago

                                                              You're wearing a bow tie?

                                                              [–]helloboots 4 points5 points ago

                                                              I thought this too! Damn you Whovians stealing my comment :)

                                                              [–]In_Your_Cooch 3 points4 points ago

                                                              You mean where it's all "PEW PEW" and then later you find out this slut and you're like woaaaah

                                                              WARNING SPOILERS.

                                                              [–]Kiaal 4 points5 points ago

                                                              If anyone is watching Doctor Who and hasn't finished it do not click on those links or you will ruin like the biggest things that happen in Doctor Who

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                                                                [–]theghoul 42 points43 points ago

                                                                One of my fav Dr Who episodes.

                                                                [–]TheWierdAsianKid 22 points23 points ago

                                                                One of the creepiest episodes... then again a lot of them are creepy/scary

                                                                [–]_jeth 38 points39 points ago

                                                                The creepiest one, for me, was the Are you my mummy? kid. I couldn't sleep well for days after that.

                                                                [–]nfac 14 points15 points ago

                                                                EVERYBODY LIVES!!!!!

                                                                [–]916CALLTURK 25 points26 points ago

                                                                Blink.

                                                                [–]_jeth 3 points4 points ago

                                                                Annnnnnnnnnnnd that's a close second.

                                                                [–]BeMoreCareful 2 points3 points ago

                                                                fucking eeek!

                                                                [–]ShallowBasketcase 4 points5 points ago

                                                                That's still my favorite episode. It's very Alien.

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                                                                  [–]TheSlendid 2 points3 points ago

                                                                  Would you be so kind as to specify what episode that was? I can't remember and I would like to see it.

                                                                  [–]Strangely_Calm 3 points4 points ago

                                                                  GO TO YOUR ROOM!

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                                                                    [–]stanfan114 6 points7 points ago

                                                                    I've been watching Dr. Who since the 70s and yes, it is supposed to be a scary show. Lots of people die wherever the Doctor goes.

                                                                    [–]XDME 5 points6 points ago

                                                                    No weeping angels takes that prize. With the silence as a close second.

                                                                    [–]Happylime 4 points5 points ago

                                                                    I want to play a weeping angels video game one day. Would be so fun.

                                                                    [–]Tw9caboose 2 points3 points ago

                                                                    introduction of River, you gotta love it.

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                                                                      [–]crayonpirate 5 points6 points ago

                                                                      That was my immediate though when I saw the picture. shudder

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                                                                        [–]druloco 34 points35 points ago

                                                                        elite stigs

                                                                        [–]hatteshizzle 5 points6 points ago

                                                                        Some say he can speak to cats, and that all of his legs are hydraulic.....

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                                                                          [–]guyin9000dollarsuit 45 points46 points ago

                                                                          My god. They've done it. Daft Punk has cloned themselves in numbers.

                                                                          [–]MinnesotaBlizzard 3 points4 points ago

                                                                          Daft Punk is getting a little chunky...

                                                                          [–]dmukya 4 points5 points ago

                                                                          Daft Chunk?

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                                                                            [–]lowkey69ac 22 points23 points ago

                                                                            Anyone else think...

                                                                            http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2009/08/Who_Is_The_Stig.jpg

                                                                            [–]Koalacaust 7 points8 points ago

                                                                            Almost. http://i.imgur.com/K9q3r.jpg

                                                                            [–]Phallindrome 3 points4 points ago

                                                                            This looks homoerotic. I'm gonna go ahead and pretend that it is.

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                                                                              [–]photoshoppingspree 36 points37 points ago

                                                                              http://i.imgur.com/wewm3.jpg

                                                                              [–]Brocerystore 5 points6 points ago

                                                                              If it wasn't so terrible it'd be my background.

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                                                                                [–]veritasug 17 points18 points ago

                                                                                They look like the Child Detection Agency from Monsters Inc. [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1luLRXKoJM8/S7vJ-_j0VfI/AAAAAAAAiBA/b6ujCZS0wgU/s1600/mon10.jpg]

                                                                                [–]Hoobleton 11 points12 points ago

                                                                                23-19!

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                                                                                  [–]ILL_Show_Myself_Out 54 points55 points ago

                                                                                  Sure this isn't an invasion? I've been watching too much Dr. Who.

                                                                                  [–]tumbleweed42 30 points31 points ago

                                                                                  Hey! Who turned out the lights?

                                                                                  [–]bv310 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                  Count the shadows.

                                                                                  [–]ILL_Show_Myself_Out 8 points9 points ago

                                                                                  I watched that TODAY

                                                                                  [–]tumbleweed42 12 points13 points ago

                                                                                  Good luck at falling asleep tonight.

                                                                                  [–]stigosaurusrex 12 points13 points ago

                                                                                  Good luck at falling asleep tonight.

                                                                                  With the lights on

                                                                                  [–]PulpFictionSnazzy 4 points5 points ago

                                                                                  Just don't touch the shadows.

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                                                                                      [–]ChickyChica 25 points26 points ago

                                                                                      Count the shadows...

                                                                                      [–]gibson_ 16 points17 points ago

                                                                                      Actually, wtf is going on with those shadows?

                                                                                      [–]cinch 15 points16 points ago

                                                                                      I'm guessing the change in the direction of the shadows is due to the curvature of the lens of the camera.

                                                                                      [–]HPeroit 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                      yeah, this happens with panoramic shots that are then laid out flat, so to speak.

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                                                                                        [–]l33tb3rt 22 points23 points ago

                                                                                        14 people and 14 shadows?

                                                                                        [–]basdhl 22 points23 points ago

                                                                                        Exactly. That's too perfect. They're obviously trying to cover something up so they photoshopped out the extra shadow.

                                                                                        [–]bruik1 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                        First thing that came to mind

                                                                                        [–]JWrundle 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                        It's a Doctor Who reference for those who didn't get it.

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                                                                                          [–]oxhappyhourxo 76 points77 points ago

                                                                                          My uncle is one of those people.

                                                                                          Edit: Proof.

                                                                                          [–]Zumbach 82 points83 points ago

                                                                                          That gives no proof

                                                                                          [–]TheMeatball 88 points89 points ago

                                                                                          My uncle is pretty important too.

                                                                                          Edit: Proof

                                                                                          [–]JestersDoor 12 points13 points ago

                                                                                          Your uncle isn't Ron Paul? 2/5 for effort.

                                                                                          [–]bs0l 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                          0/5 braves. No bravery.

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                                                                                                [–][deleted] ago

                                                                                                [deleted]

                                                                                                [–]intensenerd 4 points5 points ago

                                                                                                /r/ladyboners would have a field day with that pic. Do it, go post him there and reap that karma.

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                                                                                                  [–]kduffball 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                                  Awesome! Looks like the emergency cleaning crew from Monsters Inc.

                                                                                                  [–]ksk22 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                                  Shopped it for a cool looking wallpaper (1920 x 1080): http://imgur.com/GgQwD

                                                                                                  [–]zifu 10 points11 points ago

                                                                                                  Or maybe just 1 guy in a bunch of different spots

                                                                                                  [–]Beardedtacofish 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                                  What's up with the guy in the middle standing all pigeon toed?? Everyone else has a badass wide based stance.

                                                                                                  [–]Legit_Zurg 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                                  TO INFINITY

                                                                                                  [–]apm1118 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                                  And beyond!!

                                                                                                  [–]Alfredo_BE 13 points14 points ago

                                                                                                  My all-time favourite pilot image.

                                                                                                  [–]mtbaird5687 4 points5 points ago

                                                                                                  Is that the Reventon?

                                                                                                  [–]Harry_Hardlong 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                  Yes. Number 1 out of 20.

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                                                                                                      [–]mallystryx 31 points32 points ago

                                                                                                      Looks like the cover of a terrible Emo album

                                                                                                      [–]mrjanuary 23 points24 points ago

                                                                                                      it actually reminded me of deja entendu by brand new

                                                                                                      [–]justarunner 13 points14 points ago

                                                                                                      I've been binging on that on that album for like 3 weeks straight.

                                                                                                      I remember like 9 years ago I used to believe that the best songs were the quiet things, okay my tommy gun, and sic transit but over the years I've realized the best songs are definitely the songs like guernica, me vs maradona, vs elvis, and good to know that if i ever need attention.

                                                                                                      That album is crazy amazing. A decade later and it never ceases to blow my mind. All of their albums are just mind numbing.

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                                                                                                        [–]p5ycho29 17 points18 points ago

                                                                                                        As a pilot in the air force, I wouldn't call it the most elite. Most dangerous? probably, hardest to land? yes, most elite? nah.

                                                                                                        [–]athousand 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                                        Who are the most elite in your opinion?

                                                                                                        [–]sennais1 7 points8 points ago

                                                                                                        National Test Pilot School and Empire Test Pilot School instructors are beyond human capabilities.

                                                                                                        Just to be a graduate of either is badass/badarse.

                                                                                                        [–]oracleofnonsense 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                        Manfred von Richthofen

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                                                                                                          [–]safetykill 7 points8 points ago

                                                                                                          Agreed. I can rattle off at at least a half-dozen groups of pilots more 'elite' than this; and that's just in the USAF. Accident stats don't indicate that they have the most dangerous flying job, either. They do get the nod for "highest percentage of flight time spent in a pressure suit."

                                                                                                          [–]Darkling5499 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                          they're the most down to earth ones, though. i deal with F-15C/E, F-22, and U-2 pilots a lot, and the U-2 ones don't seem to fit the frat boy mantra of the rest.

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                                                                                                              [–]Specialis_Sapientia 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                                              I agree with this comment from the source:

                                                                                                              "Great great people, and I am honored to be under the same flag as them, but..

                                                                                                              Flying high and being elite is kinda different. I've seen guys in F-15s dodge 15 SAM missiles, MIGs, and still fly to and splash their objective. That's elite to me.

                                                                                                              Flying a spy plane is much different, and sure, it's honorable and I would be honored to fly alongside them, I'm not dissing on their career, I'm just saying the title seems to diss the pilots who flew into the roar of chaos and lived beyond any expectations to talk about it.

                                                                                                              Those planes fly so high so that they avoid having to deal with air combat for the most part.

                                                                                                              Sure, I've never been sent overseas into war, I'm not saying I'm elite, I'm just saying that the title kinda feels like it's dissing on the pilots who have been to hell and back and lived."

                                                                                                              Because so few are qualified to fly U-2's doesn't mean they are more elite than other pilots, it just means that there are few U-2's to fly. Neither does flying at great height make you any more elite than other fighter pilots, if anything, you would be less "elite".

                                                                                                              [–]phoncible 4 points5 points ago

                                                                                                              Cool and all, but I'd call Blackbird pilots more elite than U2 pilots. When your anti-missile plan is to simply fly faster than the missile, that's the epitome of badassery.

                                                                                                              [–]deltarob 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                              the specs for those ram jet engines blow my mind, the amount of extra thrust when they change modes is insane

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                                                                                                                [–]NextTimeonDBZ 11 points12 points ago

                                                                                                                See you in space cowboy.

                                                                                                                [–]Bobzer 9 points10 points ago

                                                                                                                Aaand here come the Bebop Blues :(

                                                                                                                [–]mcoree 12 points13 points ago

                                                                                                                Did what i could with it

                                                                                                                [–]nskalel 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                                                This pictures makes me think of Breaking Bad.

                                                                                                                [–]tyrannosaurusfuck 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                                                I used to work on a U-2 program and posted pictures of me in a camaro chasing one down with the airmen that guide them in to land. This was about two years ago in Osan, South Korea.

                                                                                                                This will probably get buried but it can't be any worse than the first time I submitted.

                                                                                                                Link here

                                                                                                                Edit: The pictures aren't really in order. I'm the guy in salmon (pink) shirt.

                                                                                                                [–]deltarob 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                is it really hard to drive behind the exhaust of that?

                                                                                                                [–]tyrannosaurusfuck 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                Honestly I didn't think there was any difference. At that low of altitude, the airplane is basically floating with very little thrust due to the high aspect ratio of the wings.

                                                                                                                Either way, the camaro didn't seem to be having any trouble driving behind at about 120.

                                                                                                                The driver is talking to the pilot the entire time and calling out altitude approximations because the pilot can't see anything and has to land on two bicycle tires on the fuselage.

                                                                                                                I wrote more than you asked....sorry.

                                                                                                                [–]deltarob 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                nah dude, never be sorry for that sort of stuff :D

                                                                                                                i didn't really click that it'd be gliding into land, I guess takeoff would be a different matter, do they take off with the dollies under the wings and then maually eject them once they're airborne?

                                                                                                                [–]tyrannosaurusfuck 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                Yeah they're basically just huge gliders....it's interesting watching them take off because they aren't going that fast when they just sort of float into the sky.

                                                                                                                And they do have the pogo sticks underneath upon takeoff but they fall off once airborne. Although I guess sometimes they'll have aircrew help the plane off the ground in lieu of pogo sticks due to bad runway conditions. The plane is very balanced from fuel distribution in the wings and the fuselage so it wouldn't be too difficult to do this....besides the running.

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                                                                                                                  [–]reluctantincubus 4 points5 points ago

                                                                                                                  Daft Punk auditions.

                                                                                                                  [–]ashtonpar 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                  Stig?

                                                                                                                  [–]guynumber7 3 points4 points ago

                                                                                                                  Russian pilots better

                                                                                                                  [–]yourmovecreep 5 points6 points ago

                                                                                                                  There's something unsettling about this.

                                                                                                                  [–]hobblyhoy 9 points10 points ago

                                                                                                                  Those suits give them saggy man-tits.

                                                                                                                  [–]drizzt5 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                                                  A plane designed in the 1950's...

                                                                                                                  Two ways to look at this:

                                                                                                                  1. What an incredible marvel of technology that the same frame and engine, made over a half century ago, is still in use.

                                                                                                                  2. God damn, our technological progression must be at a stand still if we are putting our most elite pilots in over half century year old planes.

                                                                                                                  I personally think it is a little bit of both. Humanity doesn't really need more weapons (spy planes included), and other non-weapon areas have progressed a lot in 60 years. I'm fine with our government not spending more money to design a new spy plane if it isn't really needed.

                                                                                                                  [–]1mfa0 3 points4 points ago

                                                                                                                  Older aircraft like U-2s and B-52s have undergone significant upgrades beyond the airframe itself since their introduction, so while the fundamentals are the same, they are truly very different machines.. Hell, 70% of the current cost of F-18 Hornets is in avionics, and that's been a fleet aircraft for barely 25 years.

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                                                                                                                    [–]andyhenault 14 points15 points ago

                                                                                                                    No doubt they=re great pilots, but 'the most elite'? That's a very bold statement to make in a profession of people who strive to be the best.

                                                                                                                    [–]djiasjdajydgz 3 points4 points ago

                                                                                                                    Pilots who fly helicopter stunt shows are probably some of the best in the world. Check out the Black Cats Royal Navy display team, all experienced combat pilots and trainers.

                                                                                                                    [–]WiseGuy1020 26 points27 points ago

                                                                                                                    You realize how hard of a plane it is to fly? The difference between max speed and stall speed is like 10 knots. It has detachable wheels that fall off when they take off. It also needs a chase car to land. Not to mention the required space suit.

                                                                                                                    And as far as elite goes, there is only like 80 guys qualified to fly it.

                                                                                                                    [–]alex27123344 4 points5 points ago

                                                                                                                    They are trained to fly the plane, yes, but do you know how hard it is for the blue angels to pull their tricks against 40 pounds of pressure with no g-suit? That takes ridiculous training too, why are the u-2's better because they fly high and the pilots wear fancy suits?

                                                                                                                    [–]KillAllTheThings 0 points1 point ago

                                                                                                                    Women have been flying U-2s for more than 15 years now.

                                                                                                                    [–]becausefahq 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                    LIVES in the coffin corner... at 80,000 feet, hand flown, pressure suit no margin for error, or death. yeah they're pretty fucking good

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                                                                                                                        [–]freecandy_van 8 points9 points ago

                                                                                                                        That's a stretch for U2 pilots. They are still badasses, but there are other missions and groups that do much more "elite" flying (thunderbirds, blue angels, etc.). The U2 mission involves taking off, flying at high altitudes (they are given astronaut wings), taking some pictures, and then landing. Landing them is a bitch though, and often involves a second pilot chasing the plane in a corvette.

                                                                                                                        [–]ubomw 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        U2 don't seem ready to get into retirement.

                                                                                                                        [–]PartisanDrinkTank 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        I saw "Mos Eisley Pilots" at first. Came here for pod racing.

                                                                                                                        [–]WomenzRightsLoL 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        28 days later...

                                                                                                                        [–]DinosaurPizza 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        This looks like a Daft Punk video.

                                                                                                                        [–]lordlicorice 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        Sorry, the tight crotch straps look ridiculous, not badass.

                                                                                                                        [–]typedefz 0 points1 point ago

                                                                                                                        James May from Top Gear flew on one of these. The video is awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PmYItnlY5M

                                                                                                                        [–]Nintendope 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        Wow look at them just standing there. So badass

                                                                                                                        [–]benjaminbartholomew 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        I am fairly sure my father is just right of the nose of the aircraft ;)

                                                                                                                        FACT: There are more people with Super Bowl Rings than U-2 solo patches :)

                                                                                                                        [–]ZeGermans750 0 points1 point ago

                                                                                                                        IDGI, other than the altitude, I can't imagine it's that hard to fly a U-2.... It's not like it's an SR-71.

                                                                                                                        [–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        Most elite pilots ever? I didn't know they tought them to fly helicopters! OH ZING! /drunkhelicopterpilot.jpg

                                                                                                                        [–]Tiddlychinks 6 points7 points ago

                                                                                                                        Texas A&M pride supersedes national pride? Yeah, sounds about right.

                                                                                                                        [–]Dickless_For_Chiklis 3 points4 points ago

                                                                                                                        That A&M patch.

                                                                                                                        [–]evbomby 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        What kind of plane is that they're flying?

                                                                                                                        [–]SecureOpossum 9 points10 points ago

                                                                                                                        It's a U-2 spy plane.

                                                                                                                        [–]DoubleStuffedCheezIt 9 points10 points ago

                                                                                                                        Also known as the Bono.

                                                                                                                        I kid, I kid.

                                                                                                                        [–]chewp911 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_KGovOMDCE

                                                                                                                        [–]seafoamstratocaster 3 points4 points ago

                                                                                                                        INB4 butthurt euros complaining about most elite.

                                                                                                                        [–]confusedwithenglish 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        Picture of the most elite pilots in the world, all American...

                                                                                                                        [–]the_sam_ryan 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        Who the fuck are they? Like names, things they have done?

                                                                                                                        [–]c0mpg33k 2 points3 points ago

                                                                                                                        U2 pilots are badass however SR-71 pilots are even more badass cause they got speed in spades. With that said anyone with the stones to fly at the near edge of space is a badass in my book period. Awesome photo btw.

                                                                                                                        [–]Runeforged 1 point2 points ago

                                                                                                                        Is that a U-2 spy plane? o_O Bit outdated. Still a pretty badass shot.

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