Flying the SR-71 Blackbird In the Cockpit on a Secret Operational Mission

by Graham, Richard H.; Miller, Jay

• ISBN13: 9780760366417
• ISBN10: 0760366411
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2019-10-08
• Publisher: Motorbooks

Summary

For anyone who has ever wondered what it's like to fly the SR-71 on a secret Mach 3 reconnaissance mission, this book has the answer. Completely redesigned and updated with photos from author Colonel Richard H. Graham's personal archive, as well as a new introduction, Flying the SR-71 Blackbird details what an SR-71 mission entailed, from planning to donning a pressure suit to returning to base.

The Lockheed SR-71, unofficially known as the Blackbird, was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Skunk Works. The aircraft flew so fast and high that not one was ever shot down, even by a missile. SR-71 pilot and instructor Colonel Richard Graham offers a rare cockpit perspective on how regular Air Force pilots and navigators transformed themselves into SR-71 Blackbird crews, turning their unique aviation talents to account in an unprecedented way.

Arguably the world's foremost expert on piloting the Blackbird, Graham takes readers along on an operational mission that only a few Air Force pilots have ever experienced.

Author Biography

A veteran of fifteen years of assignments within the SR-71 community, Colonel Richard H. Graham is uniquely qualified to tell the Blackbird's story. Crew member, instructor pilot, chief of the standardization/evaluation division, Colonel Graham was named SR-71 Squadron Commander, 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, in January 1981. A command pilot with more than 4,600 military flying hours, he has earned military decorations and awards including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with eighteen oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Colonel Graham's books on the SR-71 include SR-71 Revealed: The Inside Story and SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales and Legends. He lives in Plano, Texas.

Jay Miller was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Growing up in “Indy” during the '50s, '60s & '70s had a powerful impact on young men. Known as the “Racing Capital of the World” it was hard to escape heavy involvement into motorsports. Jay Miller is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Diesel Injection Service Company, Inc., a Louisville, Kentucky, based company which, in addition to specializing in Diesel Fuel injection, is also the nation’s largest turbocharger distributor. Miller frequently speaks publicly on the subject of turbochargers and has published numerous articles in trade publications. Jay is also co-host on the tech-talk show that is webcast from the archives at www.dieselradio.com.

Table of Contents

PREFACE 6
INTRODUCTION TO NEW EDITION 8
 
CHAPTER 1 THE MAKING OF A HABU 10
CHAPTER 2 MISSION PLANNING 22
CHAPTER 3 PREFLIGHT ACTIVITIES 30
CHAPTER 4 AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT 44
CHAPTER 5 COCKPIT LEFT CONSOLE PREFLIGHT 54
CHAPTER 6 INSTRUMENT PANEL PREFLIGHT 58
CHAPTER 7 COCKPIT RIGHT CONSOLE PREFLIGHT 72
CHAPTER 8 STARTING ENGINES 78
CHAPTER 9 BEFORE TAXIING 86
CHAPTER 10 TAXIING AND BEFORE TAKEOFF 92
CHAPTER 11 TAKEOFF AND CLIMB 98
CHAPTER 12 KC-135Q AND “COLD” TANKER AIR RENDEZVOUS 104
CHAPTER 13 ACCELERATION TO MACH 3 + 114
CHAPTER 14 CRUISING AT MACH 3 +: THE “HOT” LEG 120
CHAPTER 15 DECEL AND “HOT” TANKER AIR RENDEZVOUS 148
CHAPTER 16 RECOVERY 152
CHAPTER 17 DEBRIEFINGS 162
CHAPTER 18 THE BLACKBIRD’S RETIREMENT 166
 
EPILOGUE 174
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 175
 
APPENDICES
A. Black Shield Memorandum 176
B. Yom Kippur Memorandum 177
C. Cuba Overflight Memorandum 177
D. SR-71 Pilot’s Checklist 178
E. Pilot’s Computer Flight Plan of “Becky” 215
F. Training Sortie Map of “Becky” 217
G. List of Acronyms 218
 
INDEX 220