For educational purposesbr br From a picture taken aloft by Wilbur Wright in 1909 and the first use of an observation aircraft in 1911 to the U2, AWACS and spy satellites, including the SR71 "Blackbird," regarded by many as the finest plane ever built. br br It flew from Los Angeles to Washington's Dulles Airport in 62 minutes.br br From the observation balloons of the Civil War to modern electronic surveillance aircraft, the secret world of spyplanes is examined.br br Designed specifically for undercover reconnaissance, the U2 serves as the greatest example of strange spy planes. br br Flying under the radar and out of missile range, the U2 was a boon to American warfare. It flew higher than any plane had before and sported lengthy, graceful wings.br br "Strange Planes : Eyes in the Sky" takes a look at the people behind covert operations and the inventions that hid in the clouds.