Funnily enough I was part of a team that won an air race...and the prize was a Chipmunk. Southern Cross Air Race from 1984. Three teams tied at the end, a civvy from the Moorabbin aero club, the Army with a Kiowa, and the RAAF with a CT4. I was half of the RAAF team, even though I had a black uniform.
Landing very light aircraft can be interesting, but I suspect that the U2 is an entire order of magnitude more difficult. Makes me wonder what it would be like in gusty conditions...impossible comes to mind.
As to your Provost ride...it was all controlled...just controlled to a different plan than seen in the civil aviation world. Huge fun.
