The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by

macintux wrote: post #4

SR-71 stories are legendary. Here's another classic from the same site: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-blackbird-pilot-tells-...

My favourite SR-71 story involves asking ATC for clearance for FL600. ATC gives clearance with some skepticism, since most planes can't climb that high... only to be informed that the SR-71 would be descending to FL600.

Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by

#7

Post by cehrlich » Sun, Nov 28, 2021, 8:23 PM UTC

To anyone who is interested in this stuff I would strongly recommend the book “Skunk Works” by Ben Rich. Full of interesting history about stealth planes, and a masterclass on how to run a ragtag company.

Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by

#8

Post by heldergg » Sun, Nov 28, 2021, 8:27 PM UTC

macintux wrote: post #4

SR-71 stories are legendary. Here's another classic from the same site: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-blackbird-pilot-tells-...

A more enjoyable version (transcript from the book):

http://b.johnwurth.com/aspen-20/

Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by

#9

Post by mmaunder » Sun, Nov 28, 2021, 8:27 PM UTC

Stick and Rudder is the best read out there if you want an intuitive pilots understanding of what happened here. It unpacks angle of attack from a pilots perspective rather than using engineer speak. At that speed the control surfaces of the Blackbird would have had very little effect which is incredibly scary as you’re approaching a stall low and slow. They’d need big deflections to keep her straight and it would have felt very mushy.

It’s also worth noting that airflow from the engines don’t flow over control surfaces like some light aircraft which means they’d actually have had to gain airspeed before they’d stop mushing around, further delaying recovery. Although I’m guessing that happened pretty damn fast.

Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by

#10

Post by mmaunder » Sun, Nov 28, 2021, 8:29 PM UTC

cehrlich wrote: post #7

To anyone who is interested in this stuff I would strongly recommend the book “Skunk Works” by Ben Rich. Full of interesting history about stealth planes, and a masterclass on how to run a ragtag company.

Also Kelly Johnsons book “More than my share of it all”. Kelly designed the SR71 and U2 and brought them in on time and under budget.