First Flight By U2 “Uneventful”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 8

First Flight By U2 “Uneventful”

On its first flight over New Zealand yesterday the American U2 plane carried out its research into clear-air turbulence at a height of between 40,000 ft and 70.000 ft. above and within a 150-mile radius of Wellington.

The 847 Stratojet was not flown. The aircraft is used only when the U2 goes over the sea.

The U2, which left Christchurch Airport at 10.10 a.m., was piloted by Major C. Rosburg. It landed again at Harewood at 2.45 p.m.

Major Rosburg said he ran into only light turbulence. “It was an uneventful flight. We are hoping to find more than I came across today. It’s not quantity but severity of turbulence that interests us,” he said. The take-off of the U2 yesterday was probably the most spectacular ever seen at Christchurch. The plane can take off sooner and reach 5000 ft faster than any other plane in the world. Major Rosburg said that details of its performance were secret.

Once a flight is arranged it usually takes two hours to prepare the plane. Each day about 6 p.m. members of the Project Hicat team consult the Meteorological Service at the airport and are given an indication of where turbulence may be expected the following day. Yesterday’s flight was

scheduled to last four hours. Today’s flight, again scheduled for 10 a.m., would be longer, probably well out over the ocean, said the leader of the team (Major J. J. King). Because of this the 847 will accompany the U2.