Now you, too, can read the manual for the U-2

The operational manual for the U-2 spy plane was recently declassified. Now, thanks to the folks at the aviation site AVweb, the whole manual is available in PDF format online and can be downloaded. If you have ever wondered about how to, say, manage turbulent air in the U-2, now you can find out. But a high-speed internet connection will definitely help. The manual is 295 pages so be prepared to get a cup of coffee during the download:

http://www.avweb.com/pdf/lockheedu2utilityflighhandbook1959.pdf

The U-2 has a reputation for being tricky to fly. You can get a feel for this situation from a video the AVweb folks prepared with a U-2 pilot: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_U2CockpitTour_197436-1.html