From the SR-71 pilot's perspectcive

[Buckethead]

Really..you're going to fault them on that one?!

Hell, no. If it's the last chance, do it right, dammit.

I've seen a handful of them at static displays. ALWAYS awe inspiring, even while sitting still. Purpose-built for speed and it shows.

[zarn02]

Very cool!

[Big Troubled Bear]

Best plane ever, and it even spied on us poor South African`s

[wbeck257]

I love that story.. but this is always my fav. part:

    "One day, high above Arizona , we were monitoring the radio traffic of all the mortal airplanes below us. First, a Cessna pilot asked the air traffic controllers to check his ground speed. "Ninety knots," ATC replied. A twin Bonanza soon made the same request. "One-twenty on the ground," was the reply. To our surprise, a navy F-18 came over the radio with a ground speed check. I knew exactly what he was doing. Of course, he had a ground speed indicator in his cockpit, but he wanted to let all the bug-smashers in the valley know what real speed was. "Dusty 52, we show you at 620 on the ground," ATC responded.
    The situation was too ripe. I heard the click of Walter's mike button in the rear seat. In his most innocent voice, Walter startled the controller by asking for a ground speed check from 81,000 feet, clearly above controlled airspace. In a cool, professional voice, the controller replied, "Aspen 20, I show you at 1,982 knots on the ground." We did not hear another transmission on that frequency all the way to the coast."

[superjohn]

Satellites man 

Good but not as flexible. I'm convinced we have at least two Mach 5 recon planes that are still a public secret. 

[IZ]

I love that story.. but this is always my fav. part:

    "One day, high above Arizona , we were monitoring the radio traffic of all the mortal airplanes below us. First, a Cessna pilot asked the air traffic controllers to check his ground speed. "Ninety knots," ATC replied. A twin Bonanza soon made the same request. "One-twenty on the ground," was the reply. To our surprise, a navy F-18 came over the radio with a ground speed check. I knew exactly what he was doing. Of course, he had a ground speed indicator in his cockpit, but he wanted to let all the bug-smashers in the valley know what real speed was. "Dusty 52, we show you at 620 on the ground," ATC responded.
    The situation was too ripe. I heard the click of Walter's mike button in the rear seat. In his most innocent voice, Walter startled the controller by asking for a ground speed check from 81,000 feet, clearly above controlled airspace. In a cool, professional voice, the controller replied, "Aspen 20, I show you at 1,982 knots on the ground." We did not hear another transmission on that frequency all the way to the coast."

That is by far the best part!  Made me giggle again reading it. 

[Triple J]

Good but not as flexible. I'm convinced we have at least two Mach 5 recon planes that are still a public secret. 

+1 Too easy to calculate the orbit of a satellite and hide things.

I'd be very surprised if the US doesn't have a new operational high speed spy plane.

[ducrider45]

One flew into Lackland when I was there for basic training.  Wow..WOw WOW!!


On her final flight, the Blackbird, destined for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, sped from Los Angeles to Washington in 64 minutes, averaging 2,145 mph and setting four speed records.


Amazing!!

I work with several pilots from WWII era.  Top speed on a few of their planes..140 mph.    A former client's father was an F-15 pilot.  Told me the fastest he had it up to was 1500 mph in Desert Storm. 

Cannot imagine flying 1000 mph..let alone doubling that in the SR!! 

Thanks for the link!! 

I got to go to the landing. It was one of the coolest things that I have seen!

[Rameses]

They took off, then headed out over the Pacific to refuel. When they had topped off the tanks, they turned around and got a running start before going feet dry.

Really?

Somebody over at advrider said the record was set ground-to-ground and didn't involve flying over any markers.

[Buckethead]

http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/972record1.htm

[Rameses]

Interesting.

I wonder where the guy over there got his mis-information.

[LA]

Yes I have loved these things most of my life.  The sexist thing in the air.  Timeless! as a Norton, a Monster, a Jag, a P51 or a spitfire and even better.  If form follows function this is the pinnacle of success.



LA

[Monsterlover]

What makes it able to go so fast?

Just the huge engines and aerodynamics?

[derby]

What makes it able to go so fast?

Just the huge engines and aerodynamics?

well, that's (obviously) part of it... there were also many lessons learned with regards to design and construction, plus a few surprises after the fact.

[Popeye the Sailor]

What makes it able to go so fast?

Just the huge engines and aerodynamics?

It's got a hemi in it.