MINUTES OF THE U-2R COCKPIT CONFIGURATION PANEL MEETING (HELD AT LAC BURBANK 30 AND 31 NOV 66)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000100090057-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2002
• Sequence Number: 57
• Content Type: MF

Approves or Release 2002/06/25 : CIA-RDP68BW24R000100090057-0
TOP SECRET
IDEALIST
2892-66 25X1A
Loply _ 7 of
NRO REVIEW COMPLETED.
MEMORANDUM FOR: See Distribution.
SUBJECT: Minutes of the U-2R Cockpit Configuration Panel
Meeting (Held at LAC Burbank 30 and 31 Nov 66)
1. The purpose of the meeting was to have USAF and
IDEALIST pilots evaluate and change, where necessary, the LAC-.
proposed U-2R cockpit configuration.
2. To make this evaluation as realistic as possible, each
of the following listed pilots were fitted with full pressure
(J type) suits loaned from the AFSC facility at Edwards AFB.
25X1A
Maj. Victor Milam
Capt. Jerry Davis
Mr. Frank Powers
Detach G Edwards AFB
Detach G Edwards AFB
Detach G Edwards AFB
Davis Monthan AFB
Davis Monthan AFB
LAC
3. On 30 November, each of the above named pilots, after
donning the full pressure suit, was allowed 30 to 45 minutes
(including approximately 10 minutes with--the suit pressurized).
in the mock-up cockpit. Each individual evaluated such items-as
readability and reachability of controls and instruments, cockpit
mobility and room with pressure suit inflated and uninflated, and
ejection sequence clearance with suit inflated. After all pilots
had undergone their evaluation of the cockpit, a general discussion
and critique was held. Each pilot was asked for his comments on
items of major concern regarding the cockpit and life support'
items. The following are the major points of the critique:
a. It was difficult for the large pilots and impossible
for the smaller pilots to reach switches and some of the
instruments on the main panel.
b. All pilots found it was impossible to grasp the
ejection seat D ring under pressurized conditions.
GRUUP t _.._-,.
Approve
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c. All pilots found that it was impossible to grasp.'
the alternate ejection T-handle on the left side of the
seat.
d. The pilots found that the control yoke neutral
,position was a little too far aft for their control.
e. It was generally agreed that for small pilots it
would be highly advantageous if the seat could be manually
moved forward as much as 4 inches.
f. With the exception of the above points, all pilots
were in agreement that the LAC-proposed cockpit is a great
improvement over its present U-2. cockpit, and that it
should greatly improve their ability to successfully com-
plete reconnaissance missions.
4. The first thing the following morning (31 Nov), the
above points were brought to the attention of Mr. Kelly Johnson
and other members of the LAC U-2R Development Staff. Mr. Johnson
stated that insofar as possible within design limits, LAC would
make changes in the cockpit as follows:
a. The main instrument panel would be moved aft two
inches. This would correct the problem of reaching switches
and instruments on it.
b. The ejection seat D ring will be enlarged.
c. The control yoke neutral position would be moved''
forward by 12 inches.
d. Engineering studies would be made on the feasibility
of having the ejection seat movable in the for and aft
plane as much as 4 inches.
5. Following the meeting with Mr. Johnson, the pilots pro-
ceeded back to the cockpit mock-up for the purpose of jointly.
selecting and freezing the individual location of each switch
instrument and control. The results of this meeting are too
numerous and generally not significant to be mentioned in this,
memo. LAC has this list and will, consistent with design
limitations, see that the pilots' desires are incorporated in-
the U-2R's final cockpit design. The significant item of the
IDEALIST
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meeting was the pilots' decision to group the main instrument
panel into two sections. The left side of the panel would be
used for placement of those instruments primarily used in the
low altitude environment, i.e., airspeed, vertical velocity,
standby artificial horizon, standby altimeter, and the HSI
indicators. The right side of the panel would be used for
those instruments that the pilot would be primarily interested
in when at mission altitude, i.e., System 12, 0. S.J. engine, and
the triple display (alt - Mach - airspeed) instruments.
6. It is my opinion that this meeting contributed signifi-
cantly in improving the U-2 pilot's ability to perform his pri-
mary mission. Each of the pilots expressed complete satis-
faction in the cockpit design as modified by their contributions
in these meetings.
7. The following are additional points brought up by the-
pilots that LAC will investigate for feasibility of incorporation
into the U-2R:
a. An emergency capability for extending the drag
spoilers on the wing (possibly by air bottles) in the
event that the wing flaps cannot be lowered.
b. Increase tail wheel steering for more ground
maneuvering.
c. An oral fault monitoring and warning device.
d. Angle of attack indicators.
25X11 A
peci actions a ,-OSA
25X1A
SA S
Distribution:
#1 - D/SA
#2 - D/R&D/OSA
#3 - D/O/OSA
#4 - D/M/OSA
#5 - IDEA/0/OSA
#6 - AFRDR
#7 - SAS/O/OSA
#8 - RB/OSA
I (2 Dec 66)
IDEALIST
TOP SECRET
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