U-2 Pilot Chris Duckett: From F-16 Poster to 737 Captain

Kenny T interviews Chris Duckett, a pilot from Louisiana who trained at Louisiana Tech, joined the Air Force, and flew C-130s, the M-28 Skytruck, PC-12s, Cessna 208s, and ultimately the U-2 Dragon Lady before retiring and becoming a United Airlines 737 captain. Duckett explains how seeing an F-16 poster led him to join ROTC, credits mentor CMSgt Edward Fowler for instilling discipline, and shares why he loves general aviation, including owning a Piper Comanche 250 and building an RV-8. He confirms the earth is round, describes why the U-2 is the toughest airplane to land and the space-suit/oxygen process, and recounts an emergency where a failed bleed-air/environmental system caused severe cockpit cold, memory loss, and near hypothermia before a safe landing. He closes with advice: “maintain aircraft control,” and a mantra about turning dreams into goals and achievements.00:00 Meet Kenny T and OC00:48 From Cessnas to U202:53 Is the Earth Round03:41 F16 Poster Spark07:27 ROTC Mentor Lessons08:41 Why General Aviation10:16 Cross Country GA Trip11:38 U2 Interview and Landing15:33 Why Choose the U217:09 Suiting Up Process21:12 12 Hour Solo Missions21:51 U-2 Suit Risks22:31 Cold Mission Launch23:58 Systems Fail and Freeze28:08 Emergency Descent Chaos29:07 Memory Loss in Clouds30:42 Landing While Hypothermic32:59 Hypothermia Debrief Lessons34:11 Pilot Takeaways and Root Cause36:47 From U-2 to Airlines38:47 Representation and Mentoring42:42 Dreams to Goals Mantra43:25 Wrap Up and Farewell